Simulating surface tension with smoothed particle hydrodynamics

A method for simulating two-phase flows including surface tension is presented. The approach is based upon smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH). The fully Lagrangian nature of SPH maintains sharp fluid-fluid interfaces without employing high-order advection schemes or explicit interface reconstruction. Several possible implementations of surface tension force are suggested and compared. The numerical stability of the method is investigated and optimal choices for numerical parameters are identified. Comparisons with a grid-based volume of fluid method for two-dimensional flows are excellent. The methods presented here apply to problems involving interfaces of arbitrary shape undergoing fragmentation and coalescence within a two-phase system and readily extend to three-dimensional problems. Boundary conditions at a solid surface, high viscosity and density ratios, and the simulation of free-surface flows are not addressed. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.