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Solved with COMSOL Multiphysics 4.
4
1 | B A C K S T E P
Ba c ks t e p
Introduction
This tutorial model solves the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations in a backstep
geometry. A characteristic feature of fluid flow in geometries of this kind is the
recirculation region that forms where the flow exits the narrow inlet region. The model
clearly demonstrates the formation of such a region, which is best displayed by
visualizing the flow streamlines.
Model Definition
MO D E L G E O ME T R Y
The model consists of a pipe connected to a block-shaped tank; see Figure 1. Due to
symmetry, it is sufficient to model one eighth of the full geometry. The pipe has an
inlet at one end, and the tank has an outlet at the opposite end. All other boundaries
are solid walls.
Figure 1: Model geometry.
Solved with COMSOL Multiphysics 4.4
2 | B A C K S T E P
D O MA I N E Q U A T I O N A N D B O U N D A R Y C O N D I T I O N S
The flow in the system is laminar, so the model uses the Laminar Flow physics
interface. The inlet flow is fully developed laminar flow, described by the
corresponding inlet boundary condition. The boundary condition at the outlet sets a
constant relative pressure. Furthermore, the vertical and inclined boundaries along the
length of the geometry are symmetry boundaries. All other boundaries are solid walls
described by a non-slip boundary condition.
Results
Figure 2 shows a combined surface and arrow plot of the flow velocity. This plot does
not reveal the recirculation region in the tank immediately beyond the inlet pipes end.
For this purpose, a streamline plot is more useful, as demonstrated in Figure 3.
Figure 2: The velocity field in the backstep geometry.
3 | B A C K S T E P
Figure 3: The recirculation region visualized using a velocity streamline plot.
Model Library path: CFD_Module/Single-Phase_Tutorials/backstep
Modeling Instructions
From the File menu, choose New.
N E W
1 In the New window, click the Model Wizard button.
MO D E L WI Z A R D
1 In the Model Wizard window, click the 3D button.
2 In the Select physics tree, select Fluid Flow>Single-Phase Flow>Laminar Flow (spf).
3 Click the Add button.
4 Click the Study button.
4 | B A C K S T E P
5 In the tree, select Preset Studies>Stationary.
6 Click the Done button.
G L O B A L D E F I N I T I O N S
Parameters
1 On the Home toolbar, click Parameters.
2 In the Parameters settings window, locate the Parameters section.
3 In the table, enter the following settings:
G E O ME T R Y 1
You can build the backstep geometry from geometric primitives. Here, instead, use a
file containing the sequence of geometry features that has been provided for
convenience.
1 On the Geometry toolbar, click Insert Sequence.
2 Browse to the models Model Library folder and double-click the file
backstep_geom_sequence.mph.
3 Go to the Home desktop toolbar and choose Build All.
The model geometry is now complete (Figure 1).
MA T E R I A L S
On the Home toolbar, click Add Material.
A D D MA T E R I A L
1 Go to the Add Material window.
2 In the tree, select Built-In>Water, liquid.
3 In the Add material window, click Add to Component.
L A MI N A R F L OW
Inlet 1
1 On the Physics toolbar, click Boundaries and choose Inlet.
2 Select Boundary 1 only.
3 In the Inlet settings window, locate the Boundary Condition section.
Name Expression Value Description
v0 1[cm/s] 0.010000 m/s Inlet velocity
5 | B A C K S T E P
4 From the Boundary condition list, choose Laminar inflow.
5 Locate the Laminar Inflow section. In the U
av
edit field, type v0.
Symmetry 1
1 On the Physics toolbar, click Boundaries and choose Symmetry.
2 Select Boundaries 2 and 3 only.
Outlet 1
1 On the Physics toolbar, click Boundaries and choose Outlet.
3 In the Outlet settings window, locate the Pressure Conditions section.
4 Select the Normal flow check box.
ME S H 1
1 In the Model Builder window, under Component 1 click Mesh 1.
2 In the Mesh settings window, locate the Mesh Settings section.
3 From the Element size list, choose Coarse.
4 Click the Build All button.
S T U D Y 1
On the Home toolbar, click Compute.
R E S U L T S
Velocity (spf)
1 In the Model Builder window, expand the Velocity (spf) node.
2 Right-click Slice 1 and choose Delete.
Click Yes to confirm.
R E S U L T S
Velocity (spf)
1 In the Model Builder window, under Results right-click Velocity (spf) and choose
Surface.
2 Right-click Velocity (spf) and choose Arrow Surface.
3 In the Arrow Surface settings window, locate the Coloring and Style section.
4 From the Arrow length list, choose Logarithmic.
6 | B A C K S T E P
5 From the Color list, choose Yellow.
6 Click the Zoom Extents button on the Graphics toolbar.
To see the recirculation effects, create a streamline plot of the velocity field.
3D Plot Group 3
1 On the Home toolbar, click Add Plot Group and choose 3D Plot Group.
2 In the Model Builder window, under Results right-click 3D Plot Group 3 and choose
Streamline.
4 In the Streamline settings window, locate the Coloring and Style section.
5 From the Line type list, choose Tube.
6 Right-click Results>3D Plot Group 3>Streamline 1 and choose Color Expression.

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Solved with COMSOL Multiphysics 4.

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