Application of the level set method to the finite element solution of two-phase flows

This paper presents a method to solve two-phase ows using the nite element method. On one hand, the algorithm used to solve the Navier{Stokes equations provides the neccessary stabilization for using the e cient and accurate three-node triangles for both the velocity and pressure elds. On the other hand, the interface position is described by the zero-level set of an indicator function. To maintain accuracy, even for large- density ratios, the pseudoconcentration function is corrected at the end of each time step using an algorithm successfully used in the nite di erence context. Coupling of both problems is solved in a staggered way. As demonstrated by the solution of a number of numerical tests, the procedure allows dealing with problems involving two interacting uids with a large-density ratio.