Adaptive mesh generation for fluid mechanics problems

In this study, we give an in depth investigation of the adaptive procedures for compressible and incompressible how problems. Many tests have been car ried out with different error indicators for different problems. These refi nement procedures show that the interpolation error indicators are adequate to predict an accurate solution. Comparison between the gradient and curva ture-based error indicators show that the former yields better performance in most situations. However, we found that the latter indicators predict be tter motion in the recirculatory and unstable regions, than the gradient-ba sed method. Many test cases have been presented for both compressible and i ncompressible flow problems. In the later part of the paper, we suggest a s imple way of combining the curvature/gradient indicators of different key v ariables and present an appropriate problem where it is applicable. A wide coverage of relevant literature has also been presented in this paper. Copy right (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.