On the grad-div stabilization for the steady Oseen and Navier-Stokes equations

Abstract

This paper studies the parameter choice in the grad-div stabilization applied to the generalized problems of Oseen type. Stabilization parameters based on minimizing the H1 (Omega) error of the velocity are derived which do not depend on the viscosity parameter. For the proposed parameter choices, the H1 (Omega) error of the velocity is derived that shows a direct dependence on the viscosity parameter. Differences and common features to the situation for the Stokes equations are discussed. Numerical studies are presented which confirm the theoretical results. Moreover, for the Navier-Stokes equations, numerical simulations were performed on a two-dimensional flow past a circular cylinder. It turns out, for the MINI element, that the best results can be obtained without grad-div stabilization.