A PHYSICAL APPROACH TO FINITE-ELEMENT MODELING OF COUPLED CONDUCTION AND CONVECTION

Finite-element formnlations for coupled conduction and convection prob lems are obtained by a direct approach based on energy balances, af bo th element and node levels. This way, clear physical interpretations a re provided for all the essential steps of conventional finite-element procedures of the Galerkin type. In the examples, the finite-element formulation is validated first by comparison with the analytical solut ion of a typical benchmark problem. Then the capabilities of the finit e-element method are demonstrated by the analysis of coupled conductio n and convection problems of practical interest.