CVBEM and FVM Computational Model Comparison for Solving Ideal Fluid Flow in a 90-Degree Bend

While finite volume methodologies (FVM) have predominated in fluid flow computations, many flow problems, including groundwater models, would benefit from the use of boundary methods, such as the Complex Variable Boundary Element Method (CVBEM). However, to date, there has been no reporting of a comparison of computational results between the FVM and the CVBEM in the assessment of flow field characteristics. In this work, the CVBEM is used to develop a flow field vector outcome of ideal fluid flow in a 90-degree bend which is then compared to the computational results from a finite volume model of the same situation. The focus of the modelling comparison in the current work is flow field trajectory vectors of the fluid flow, with respect to vector magnitude and direction. Such a comparison is necessary to validate the development of flow field vectors from the CVBEM and is of interest to many engineering flow problems, specifically groundwater modelling. Comparison of the CVBEM and FVM flow field trajectory vectors for the target problem of ideal flow in a 90-degree bend shows good agreement between the considered methodologies.