Computation of viscoelastic fluid flows using continuation methods

The numerical simulation of viscoelastic fluid flow becomes more difficult as a physical parameter, the Weissenberg number, increases. Specifically, at a Weissenberg number larger than a critical value, the iterative nonlinear solver fails to converge, a phenomenon known as the high Weissenberg number problem. In this work we describe the application and implementation of continuation methods to the nonlinear Johnson-Segalman model for steady-state viscoelastic flows. Simple, natural, and pseudo-arclength continuation approaches in Weissenberg number are investigated for a discontinuous Galerkin finite element discretization of the equations. Computations are performed for a benchmark contraction flow and, several aspects of the performance of the continuation methods including high Weissenberg number limits, are discussed. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.