Streamwise computation of three-dimensional parabolic flows

Abstract

A new approach to calculate three-dimensional parabolic flows is presented. The flow field is computed by calculating velocity along a set of streamlines. The dependent variables commonly used in the computation of three-dimensional flows are the three velocity components. In contrast, the dependent variables in the present approach are the streamwise velocity and the two coordinates, in the cross-stream plane, of the chosen streamlines. The streamwise velocity is calculated from the finite difference equations obtained by applying Euler's momentum theorem to streamtubes constructed around the chosen streamlines; the streamline coordinates are calculated from the conservation of mass. Results of the calculations, based on the present approach, are compared with the experimental data for flow through rectangular ducts; the agreement is satisfactory.