| Astrophysics (Index) | About |
Finite volume method (FVM) refers to a means of calculating solutions to partial differential equations which happens to be especially suited to fluid dynamics. It divides a volume with a three-dimensional grid into small volumes and uses the divergence theorem to allow tractable calculation to produce good results. The divergence theorem relates divergence within a volume to flow in/out of the volume. That fact along with the fact that flow in/out of a volume matches that of the volumes to which it is adjacent allow calculations regarding the interfaces to represent activity within the volume.
FVMs are particularly adapted to fluid dynamics (the characterization of the flow of material). They have the advantage that it is relatively easy to deal with volumes of different sizes and shapes, i.e., in an irregular pattern, more easily than others, e.g., a finite difference method (FDM). Basing it on irregular and/or moving volumes offers means to handle discontinuities in a fluid flow, such as shock waves.