Simulating surface tension with smoothed particle hydrodynamics

A method for simulating two-phase flows including surface tension is presen ted. The approach is based upon smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH). The fully Lagrangian nature of SPH maintains sharp fluid-fluid interfaces witho ut employing high-order advection schemes or explicit interface reconstruct ion. Several possible implementations of surface tension force are suggeste d and compared. The numerical stability of the method is investigated and o ptimal choices for numerical parameters are identified. Comparisons with a grid-based volume of fluid method for two-dimensional flows are excellent. The methods presented here apply to problems involving interfaces of arbitr ary shape undergoing fragmentation and coalescence within a two-phase syste m and readily extend to three-dimensional problems. Boundary conditions at a solid surface, high viscosity and density ratios, and the simulation of f ree-surface flows are not addressed. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.