Laminar, incompressible flow over a backward-facing step is calculated using a finite element spatial discretization with a piecewise continuous pressure approximation and an explicit time marching algorithm. The time-accurate evolution to steady state is demonstrated for both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) simulations. This approach is shown to accurately predict the lengths of the recirculation zone on the top wall and at the step for various meshes and domain lengths, for a Reynolds number of 800 based on the average inlet velocity and twice the inlet channel height. The instantaneous and steady-state results are investigated. The steady-state solutions are evaluated by comparison to published numerical and experimental results.
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