Finite Element Methods for the (Navier) Stokes Equations


This is not a research talk, but rather an introduction to some of
the ideas, problems, techniques, algorithms, and programs associated
with the application of the finite element method to flow equations.

If you've set up the finite element equations for the Poisson problem
in a rectangle, and wonder if the Navier Stokes equations will be
just as easy, you are my ideal audience!  

Without spending too much time on mathematical or computational detail,
I will try to present the Navier Stokes equations, simplify them as
much as possible, and write down a weak form of the equations suitable for
finite elements.

Then I'll look at the construction of linear and quadratic basis functions,
and the assembly of the system matrix.

Finally, I'll discuss IFISS, a friendly, free and powerful PDE solver
that works with MATLAB or OCTAVE.  It includes a variety of elements and
solvers, displays the solution graphically and computes error estimates.