Error Estimation for Adaptive Mesh Refinement in Droplet Simulations

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Hauptverfasser: Nathawani, Darsh, Knepley, Matthew
Format: Preprint
Veröffentlicht: 2025
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author Nathawani, Darsh
Knepley, Matthew
author_facet Nathawani, Darsh
Knepley, Matthew
contents We present a one-dimensional shear-force-driven droplet formation model with a flux-based error estimator. The model is derived using asymptotic expansion and a front-tracking method to simulate the droplet interface. The model is then discretized using the Galerkin finite element method in the mixed form. However, the solution gradients exhibit large jumps across element boundaries and can grow rapidly due to the highly convective pinch-off process. This leads to an erroneous droplet interface and incorrect curvature. Therefore, the mesh must be sufficiently refined to capture the interface accurately. The mixed form of the governing equation naturally provides smooth interface gradients that can be used to compute the error estimate. The computed error estimate is then used to drive the adaptive mesh refinement algorithm. The efficacy of the error estimator is illustrated by comparing the droplet profiles obtained with adaptive refinement to those obtained with regular refinement. The adaptive mesh refinement approach reduces the computational cost significantly without compromising accuracy.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2508_15081
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Error Estimation for Adaptive Mesh Refinement in Droplet Simulations
Nathawani, Darsh
Knepley, Matthew
Numerical Analysis
Fluid Dynamics
We present a one-dimensional shear-force-driven droplet formation model with a flux-based error estimator. The model is derived using asymptotic expansion and a front-tracking method to simulate the droplet interface. The model is then discretized using the Galerkin finite element method in the mixed form. However, the solution gradients exhibit large jumps across element boundaries and can grow rapidly due to the highly convective pinch-off process. This leads to an erroneous droplet interface and incorrect curvature. Therefore, the mesh must be sufficiently refined to capture the interface accurately. The mixed form of the governing equation naturally provides smooth interface gradients that can be used to compute the error estimate. The computed error estimate is then used to drive the adaptive mesh refinement algorithm. The efficacy of the error estimator is illustrated by comparing the droplet profiles obtained with adaptive refinement to those obtained with regular refinement. The adaptive mesh refinement approach reduces the computational cost significantly without compromising accuracy.
title Error Estimation for Adaptive Mesh Refinement in Droplet Simulations
topic Numerical Analysis
Fluid Dynamics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.15081