Viscoelastic flow through a planar contraction using a semi-Lagrangian finite volume method

A semi-lagrangian finite volume scheme for solving viscoelastic flow proble ms is presented. A staggered grid arrangement is used in which the dependen t variables are located at different mesh points in the computational domai n. The convection terms in the momentum and constitutive equations are trea ted using a semi-lagrangian approach in which particles on a regular,grid a re traced backwards over a single time-step. The method is applied to the 4 : 1 planar contraction problem for an Oldroyd B fluid for both creeping an d inertial flow conditions. The development of vortex behaviour with increa sing values of We is analyzed. (C)1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights res erved.