Error analysis of a subgrid eddy viscosity multi-scale discretization of the Navier-Stokes equations

Abstract

We propose a finite element discretization of the Navier–Stokes equations that relies on the variational multi-scale approach together with the addition of a Smagorinsky type viscosity, in order to take into account possible subgrid turbulence. We recall that the discrete problem admits a solution and prove a priori error estimates. Next we perform the a posteriori analysis of the discretization. Some numerical experiments justify the interest of this approach.