Abstract

The quasi- simultaneous interactive boundary layer (IBL) method is improved with the iterative correction of an inviscid operator. The updated interactive boundary layer method (UIBL) presented in this work, uses the Hess-Smith panel method (HSPM) as an inviscid operator to update the outer flow calculation and the inviscid velocity in the interaction law (IL). The discretization of the Hilbert integral (HI) from the original method is modified to reduce the error introduced by the calculation of the HI in a restricted domain. The method is tested on a flat plate with a small indentation for two-dimensional, steady, incompressible and laminar flow. The UIBL method is capable to predict the flow separation and reattachment with good accuracy. The accuracy of the results is competitive with the numerical solution of the Navier-Stokes equations (NSE). Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.