Locally corrected semi-Lagrangian methods for Stokes flow with moving elastic interfaces

Abstract

We present a new method for computing two-dimensional Stokes flow with moving interfaces that respond elastically to stretching. The interface is moved by semi-Lagrangian contouring: a distance function is introduced on a tree of cells near the interface, transported by a semi-Lagrangian time step and then used to contour the new interface. The velocity field in a periodic box is calculated as a potential integral resulting from interfacial and body forces, using a technique based on Ewald summation with analytically derived local corrections. The interfacial stretching is found from a surprisingly natural formula. A test problem with an exact solution is constructed and used to verify the speed, accuracy and robustness of the approach. © 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.