Abstract:
A balanced-force algorithm for predicting free surface flow with surface tension on
general curvilinear coordinate systems is presented in this thesis. The well-established
Continuum Surface Force (CSF) method is employed to model surface tension forces.
One of the primary challenges of the CSF method is the generation of spurious currents
in the vicinity of the interface. To address this issue, the presented algorithm reduces
imbalances between pressure gradients and surface tension forces to the solver’s
tolerance, effectively eliminating the first source of spurious currents.
The remaining task is to adequately estimate curvature, which cannot be directly obtained
using the abruptly varying volume fraction field. Three well known curvature estimation
techniques within the Volume of Fluid (VOF) framework are implemented: Laplacian
Filter, Convolution Method, and Height Functions. The algorithm is then validated
through several benchmark cases, and the parameters associated with each of the
curvature estimation techniques are refined to enhance the solution’s accuracy.
