2011, Galvin, Keith J., Linke, Alexander, Rebholz, Leo G., Wilson, Nicholas E.

We consider the problem of poor mass conservation in mixed finite element algorithms for flow problems with large rotation-free forcing in the momentum equation. We provide analysis that suggests for such problems, obtaining accurate solutions necessitates either the use of pointwise divergence-free finite elements (such as Scott-Vogelius), or heavy grad-div stabilization of weakly divergence-free elements. The theory is demonstrated in numerical experiments for a benchmark natural convection problem, where large irrotational forcing occurs with high Rayleigh numbers.

2010, Case, Michael A., Ervin, V.J., Linke, A., Rebholz, L.G.

This article studies two methods for obtaining excellent mass conservation in finite element computations of the Navier-Stokes equations using continuous velocity fields. Under mild restrictions, the Scott-Vogelius element pair has recently been shown to be inf-sup stable and have optimal approximation properties, while also providing pointwise mass conservation. We present herein the first numerical tests of this element pair for the time dependent Navier-Stokes equations. We also prove that, again under these mild restrictions, the limit of the grad-div stabilized Taylor-Hood solutions to the Navier-Stokes problem converges to the Scott-Vogelius solution as the stabilization parameter tends to infinity. That is, in this setting, we provide theoretical justification that choosing the parameter large does not destroy the solution. A limiting result is also proven for the general case. Numerical tests are provided which verify the theory, and show how both Scott-Vogelius and grad-div stabilized Taylor-Hood (with large stabilization parameter) elements can provide accurate results with excellent mass conservation for Navier-Stokes approximations.

2010, Bowers, Abigail L., Cousins, Benjamin R., Linke, Alexander, Rebholz, Leo G.

We show the velocity solutions to the convective, skew-symmetric, and rotational Galerkin finite element formulations of the Navier-Stokes equations are identical if Scott-Vogelius elements are used, and thus all three formulations will the same pointwise divergence free solution velocity. A connection is then established between the formulations for grad-div stabilized Taylor-Hood elements: under mild restrictions, the formulations' velocity solutions converge to each other (and to the Scott-Vogelius solution) as the stabilization parameter tends to infinity. Thus the benefits of using Scott-Vogelius elements can be obtained with the less expensive Taylor-Hood elements, and moreover the benefits of all the formulations can be retained if the rotational formulation is used. Numerical examples are provided that confirm the theory