An adaptive finite element method for forced convection

This paper presents an adaptive finite dement method to solve forced convective heat transfer. Solutions are obtained in primitive variables using a high-order finite dement approximation on unstructured grids. Two general-purpose error estimators are developed to analyse finite element solutions and to determine the characteristics of an improved mesh which is adaptively regenerated by the advancing front method. The adaptive methodology is validated on a problem with a known analytical solution. The methodology is then applied to heat transfer predictions for two cases of practical interest. Predictions of the Nusselt number compare well with measurements and constitute an improvement over previous results. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.