Quoting from the abstract: "A spectral element method that combines the generality of the finite element method with the accuracy of spectral techniques is proposed for the numerical solution of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equation".

This neatly summarizes why spectral element methods are attractive for DNS of smooth problems: They enforce global and local conservation, they work with unstructured grids and can be of arbitrary high order.

Yes, thank you

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