Isogeometric divergence-conforming variational multiscale formulation of incompressible turbulent flows

A new residual-based variational multiscale (RBVMS) formulation for incompressible turbulent flows is proposed that is suitable for discretization using divergence-conforming B-splines. The proposed methodology results in a pointwise satisfaction of the zero-divergence constraint on the discrete velocity field. The velocity fine scales are residual-driven and constructed in a manner that is consistent with the divergence-free constraint on the discrete velocity solution. The resulting formulation is tested on laminar- and turbulent-flow benchmark problems showing excellent stability and accuracy characteristics in both regimes. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.