Finite element solution of the Navier-Stokes equations for incompressible flow using a segregated algorithm

A segregated finite element algorithm for the solution of the SUPG formulation of the incompressible steady-state Navier-Stokes equations is investigated in this paper. The method features equal order interpolation for all the how variables. The SIMPLEST algorithm is employed which results in symmetric coefficient matrices for the momentum equations. The same iterative linear equation solver can therefore be employed for the solution of the momentum and pressure equations. The effect of applying the SUPG weighting functions only to the convective terms is compared with the effect of applying the functions to all the terms in the momentum equations. The effect of using an iterative linear equation solver as opposed to a direct linear equation solver is also discussed.