Time-marching methods for three-dimensional steady and unsteady viscous imcompressible flows

An implicit algorithm for the solution of three-dimensional, steady and unsteady, viscous, incompressible flows is presented. The algorithm is based on an upwind-relaxation finite-difference method. Steady-state solutions are carried out using a time-marching solution technique in combination with a local time-stepping strategy. To obtain time-accurate solutions, a subiterative procedure is employed at each physical time step using a global time step to ensure the divergence-free condition. Steady-state flows in several straight ducts and in a square duct with a 90-degree bend are computed and compared with analytical and experimental results. The classical problem of starting flow in a circular pipe is chosen to verify the time accuracy of the present scheme. Finally, the three-dimensional bubble-type vortex breakdown of a slender cylindrical vortex in an unbounded flow is investigated.