A PHYSICAL APPROACH TO FINITE-ELEMENT MODELING OF COUPLED CONDUCTION AND CONVECTION

Abstract Finite-element formulations for coupled conduction and convection problems are obtained by a direct approach based on energy balances, at both element and node levels. This way, clear physical interpretations are provided for all the essential steps of conventional finite-element procedures of the Galerkin type. In the examples, the finite-element formulation is validated first by comparison with the analytical solution of a typical benchmark problem. Then the capabilities of the finite-element method are demonstrated by the analysis of coupled conduction and convection problems of practical interest