We present the 3D implementation and applications of the enhanced-discretiz
ation interface-capturing technique (EDICT) in computation of unsteady flow
s with two-fluid interfaces. In such computations, EDICT can be used as a v
ery effective method, which combines the flexibility and efficiency of inte
rface-capturing techniques with the accuracy provided by enhanced discretiz
ation at the interfaces. A stabilized finite element interface-capturing te
chnique is used as the base formulation to solve, over a typically nonmovin
g mesh, the Navier-Stokes equations and an advection equation governing the
interface function. To increase the accuracy in modeling the interfaces, w
e use finite element functions with multiple components at and near the int
erfaces, with each component coming from a different level of mesh refineme
nt. With its parallel implementation on advanced high-performance computing
platforms such as the CRAY T3E, EDICT is a powerful tool for the simulatio
n of a complex, 3D unsteady how problems with two fluid-interfaces, includi
ng free surfaces. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.