Coarse grid projection methodology: A partial mesh refinement tool for incompressible flow simulations

Abstract: We discuss Coarse Grid Projection (CGP) methodology as a guide for partial mesh refinement of incompressible flow computations for the first time. Based on it, if for a given spatial resolution the numerical simulation diverges or the velocity outputs are not accurate enough, instead of refining both the advection-diffusion and the Poisson grids, the CGP mesh refinement suggests to only refine the advection-diffusion grid and keep the Poisson grid resolution unchanged. The application of the novel mesh refinement tool is shown in the cases of flow over a backward-facing step and flow past a cylinder. For the backward facing step flow, a three-level partial mesh refinement makes a previously diverging computation numerically stable. For the flow past a cylinder, the error of the viscous lift force is reduced from 31.501% to 7.191% (with reference to the standard mesh refinement results) by the one-level partial mesh refinement technique.