Numerical methods for simulating viscoelastic free surface flows

• Grant number: 14/21415-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Start date: February 01, 2015
• End date: July 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Transport Phenomena
• Principal Investigator: Murilo Francisco Tome
• Grantee: Murilo Francisco Tome
• Host Investigator: Fernando Manuel Coutinho Tavares de Pinho
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Matemáticas e de Computação (ICMC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Universidade do Porto (UP), Portugal

Abstract

This work is concerned with the development of novel computational techniques for simulating flows of complex fluids with free surfaces. The governing equations for flows of liquid crystals are analysed and a finite difference method for solving them is developed. The log-conformation tensor technique is applied to flows governed by the constitutive differential models Oldroyd-B, Giesekus, FENE-P, algebraic and integral constitutive models are also considered. Finite difference techniques for treating these models for free surface flows in 2 and 3 dimensions are developed. Non-isothermal viscoelastic free surface flows are also investigated. (AU)