An embedded approach for the solution of the full potential equation with finite elements

Abstract

Recent developments in numerical simulations in the aerodynamics field are focused on reducing the computational cost of the solvers, targeting their use at the initial design steps. Under the right assumptions, potential solvers can be exploited to accomplish a valid solution of the flow field for streamlined bodies in subsonic and close to transonic flows. A fully embedded approach to solve the full-potential equation is presented, where both the geometry and the wake are defined implicitly with a level set function. Embedded methods allow simplifying the mesh generation process, as only a background mesh is required to perform the analysis. The presented method gives an automatic and fast option to solve subsonic flows, which is especially desirable in optimization workflows.