Simulation of laminar and turbulent concentric pipe flows with the isogeometric variational multiscale method

We present an application of the residual-based variational multiscale modeling methodology to the computation of laminar and turbulent concentric annular pipe flows. Isogeometric analysis is utilized for higher-order approximation of the solution using Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS). The ability of NURBS to exactly represent curved geometries makes NURBS-based isogeometric analysis attractive for the application to the flow through annular channels. We demonstrate the applicability of the methodology to both laminar and turbulent flow regimes.

► Variational multiscale (VMS) method is applied to simulate laminar and turbulent flows. ► Isogeometric analysis (IGA) is employed for higher order representation of solution. ► Curved wall is represented exactly by using NURBS-based isogeometric analysis. ► Optimal order of accuracy is obtained for the laminar flow regime. ► VMS/IGA results converge to DNS data and provide accurate results for relatively coarse mesh resolution.