Finite element modelling of two- and three-dimensional viscoelastic polymer flows

We present an overview of a recently-developed finite element software tool for the simulation of non-Newtonian fluid flows arising in viscoelastic polymer melts. The software is based upon the use of quantitative macroscopic constitutive laws, defining the evolution of polymer stress, which contributes to the total fluid stress in the flow. A wide range of melt rheologies may be considered in this manner, and three specific examples are considered in this paper. In addition to providing a detailed overview of the software, a number of sample numerical simulations are presented to illustrate the capabilities of the code.