Finite Element Numerical Simulation of the Flow Field in a Pipe with a Square-cavity

The finite element method (FEM) is used to c al culate the flow field of the flow in a pipe with square-cavity. The velocity ve ctors and the vortex varying with time and their developing characteristic have been achieved.The results indicate that the flow field in a pipe with a square- cavity is changing with time during transient process. The size of the vortex in the cavity is getting bigger and bigger. When the steady state is reached, the size of the vortex in the cavity is the biggest and is kept unchanging. Since th e vortex in the cavity keeps rotating, energy in the main flow must be consumed, then the energy loss is produced. The study has significance for designing and analyzing the pipe with square-cavity.