Grid adaptation for the 2-D Euler equations

An adapted grid technique for accurate and efficient solutions of the steady, two-dimensional Euler equations is presented. Embedded meshes, which are coupled to a fixed global mesh via a multiple-grid technique, are employed. The effect of choosing various adaptation strategies is examined. Solutions are presented for isolated lifting airfoils in subcritical as well as transonic flow. The supersonic flow over a circular-arc cascade with a complex shock structure is also presented. In all cases, the adapted solution achieved the same accuracy as global refinement, but required a factor of between 5 and 7 less computer time and between 3 and 8 less storage.