Spatial-Time Adaptive Procedure for Transonic Flows Over a Clipped Delta Wing

Abstract

An algorithm which combines an automatic adaptive mesh strategy and explicit multi-time steps integration technique on three-dimensional unstructured meshes is presented. These techniques are applied employing Euler equations. The flow is simulated using the Finite Element Method with an explicit one-step Taylor-Galerkin scheme and linear tetrahedral elements. The numerical solution behaviour is analyzed using error indicators to map regions where some physical phenomena, having high gradients, take place and then the adaptive process is applied to these regions. The capability and efficiency of the time-spatial adaptive procedures are compared with experimental data and with those obtained when a unique global time step is used.