Spectral Element Simulation of Rotating Particle in Viscous Flow

Spectral element methods (SEM) are superior to general finite element methods (FEM) in achieving high order accuracy through p-type refinement. Owing to orthogonal polynomials in both expansion and test functions, the discretization errors in SEM could be reduced exponentially to machine zero so that the spectral convergence rate can be achieved. Inherited the advantage of FEM, SEM can enhance resolution via both h-type and p-type mesh-refinement. A penalty method was utilized to compute force fields in particulate flows involving freely moving rigid particles. Results were analyzed and comparisons were made; therefore, this penalty-implemented SEM was proven to be a viable method for two-phase flow problems.