On Approximation and Computation of Navier-Stokes Flow

Abstract

We present an approximation method for the non-stationary nonlinear incompressible Navier-Stokes equations in a cylindrical domain (0,T)×G,where G⊂R^3 is a smoothly bounded domain. Ourmethod is applicable to general three-dimensional flow without any symmetry restrictions and relies on existence, uniqueness and representation results from mathematical fluid dynamics. After a suitable time delay in the nonlinear convective term v·∇v we obtain globally (in time) uniquely solvable equations, which - by using semi-implicit time differences - can be transformed into a finite number of Stokes-type boundary value problems. For the latter a boundary element method based on a corresponding hydrodynamical potential theory is carried out. The method is reported in short outlines ranging from approximation theory up to numerical test calculations.