A STREAMFUNCTION-VORTICITY FORMULATION OF SPATIALLY PERIODIC FLOWS

In this paper we implement the spatially periodic boundary conditions in finite element solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations based on th e streamfunction-vorticity formulation. Periodic boundary conditions a re enforced at both inflow/ouflow and lower/upper boundaries. As an ex ample of application we consider the fluid flow, at two different Reyn olds numbers, through an array of pin fins. The limiting assumption of symmetry conditions at the boundaries parallel to the main flow is sh own to yield unphysical-looking configurations. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.