FINITE-ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF CONJUGATE NATURAL-CONVECTION IN A SQUARE ENCLOSURE WITH A CONDUCTING VERTICAL WALL

The scope of the finite element method in solving conjugate conduction with natural convection,in enclosure has been investigated. For this purpose, the set of governing equations have been reframed and put int o a form that can easily fit into the Galerkin formulation. Easy accom modation of the material properties and global solution of the same se t of conservation equations constitute the salient features of this fo rmulation. Conduction in the solid zone is simulated by assigning a hi gh value of dimensionless viscosity in this zone. With this formulatio n, natural convection is studied in a square enclosure, with a conduct ing vertical wall. In addition to highlighting the operational aspects of the scheme, a detailed investigation has been carried out on the a ssociated flow structure and heat transfer. Results are presented for Rayleigh number in the range of 10(3) to 10(6). The effects of conduct ion in the wall is studied for three different values of the non-dimen sional wall thickness (0.1, 0.2 and 0.4) with a wide range of dimensio nless conductivity of the wall.