Nodeless variables finite element method and adaptive meshing teghnique for viscous flow analysis

A nodeless variables finite element method for analysis of two-dimensional, steady-state viscous incompressible flow is presented. The finite element equations are derived from the governing Navier-Stokes differential equations and a corresponding computer program is developed. The proposed method is evaluated by solving the examples of the lubricant flow in journal bearing and the flow in the lid-driven cavity. An adaptive meshing technique is incorporated to improve the solution accuracy and, at the same time, to reduce the analysis computational time. The efficiency of the combined adaptive meshing technique and the nodeless variables finite element method is illustrated by using the example of the flow past two fences in a channel.