Computational fluid flow based on impulse variables

Prof. Ricardo Cortez

Courant Institute, New York University, New York

A formulation of the Navier-Stokes equations in terms of impulse density and a Lagrangian numerical method based on it will be discussed. Impulse variables represent vortex dipoles with a prescribed dipole moment. A source of error that leads to loss of accuracy in interior flows will be explained. Applications for which impulse methods are well suited include flows with thin immersed boundaries. Two examples of such applications, the motion of a fluid surrounding an elastic membrane and the motion of a swimming organism, will be presented.