Modeling multiphase flows using a novel 3D adaptive remeshing algorithm

Abstract

A novel three-dimensional adaptive remeshing algorithm is presented and applied to finite-element simulations of multiphase fluid flows. A three-dimensional domain enclosing another phase is discretized by an unstructured mesh of tetrahedra constructed from a triangulated surface of the phase boundaries. Complete remeshing is performed after each time step. The boundary mesh is reconstructed using an existing algorithm employing element addition/subtraction, edge swapping based on Delaunay triangulation and spring-like dynamical relaxation. The volume mesh is then generated from the boundary using the commercial software Hypermesh. The resulting adaptive discretization maintains resolution of prescribed local length scales.