Implementation of the Elastic to Softening Transition and Rupture Analysis Model in OpenFOAM

Abstract

The accurate modeling of viscoelastic fluids is crucial for various engineering and scientific applications, particularly in polymer processing, biological flows, and complex fluid dynamics. In this study, we implemented a new computational approach for modeling viscoelastic fluids within the OpenFOAM framework. The proposed model incorporates an improved constitutive model that captures both the elastic and dissipative properties of polymeric fluids, ensuring better accuracy in numerical simulations. The results show that ESTRA predicts polymer degradation in the interface between the principal flow and the recirculations.