Numerical Simulation of the 2D Lid Driven Cavity Benchmark Problem Using a Finite Difference Based Method

• Tech Stack: MATLAB, Tecplot, Ansys Fluent
• Github URL: Project Link

The lid-driven cavity problem is a benchmark flow case in CFD due to its simplicity and the unambiguous nature of its boundary conditions. Considerable work has been done since the 1980s in this area, particularly with the increase of mesh refinemnet and Reynolds numbers.

In this project, a second-order accurate simple explicit discretization scheme was used to simulate the steady pressure and flow fields at various mesh sizes and Reynolds numbers. An order of accuracy test was conducted to verify if the observed order of accuracy matched the formal order. The mathematical correctness of the code was tested by using manufactured solutions. Results showed that the discretization scheme passed the order of accuracy test. For coarser meshes, numerical dissipation was observed in the streamlines, i.e., a discontinuity in the streamlines was observed on coarser meshes. However, this numerical dissipation diminished when the grid refinement factor was increased and/or the Reynolds number was increased. The code solutions were compared with those of Ansys Fluent. This comparison showed excellent agreement between the two results.