Analysis of 3D backward‐facing step incompressible flows via a local average‐based numerical procedure

SUMMARY The study of the flow over a three-dimensional backward-facing step still provides interesting research when a new numerical method is developed and an investigation of the flow topology is performed. From a numerical point of view, accurate solutions are required, preferably with little computational effort, and the numerical results must lead to the understanding of the main features of the flow. The guidelines of an integrated framework are presented in this paper, starting with the description of the numerical methods for solving three-dimensional incompressible flows, based on a local-average procedure, up to the investigation of the flow structure by means of vortex lines reconstruction and vortices identification. Several results are reported concerning an analytical benchmark, simulation of flows in laminar and incipient transitional regimes and detection of vortical structures. Preliminary results for highly unsteady flows are also presented. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.