Spectral-finite element method for solving three-dimensional unsteady Navier-Stokes equations

Abstract: This paper is devoted to the combined Fourier spectral and finite element approximations of three-dimensional, semi-periodic, unsteady Navier-Stokes equations. Fourier spectral method and finite element method are employed in the periodic and non-periodic directions respectively. A class of fully discrete schemes are constructed with artificial compression. Strict error estimations are proved. The analysis shows also that the classical two-dimensional velocity-pressure elements can be readily extended to solving such three-dimensional semi-periodic problems, provided they satisfy the two-dimensional “inf-suf” condition.