Computational study of glottal flow aerodynamics

We present model simulations for flow through an idealized, time-varying glottis as a building block step to a fully coupled fluid-structure interaction model. The CFD code used is AcuSolve, a finite-element flow solver, second-order accurate in space and time, from AcuSim Corp. of Mountain View, CA. Relative mesh motion in the glottis is achieved using a sliding mesh technique. The code supports highly skewed cells, allowing glottal closure. The geometric configuration and flow conditions of the computed flow match the rigid vocal fold model experiments (4500<Re<11,000, 0.01<f*<0.06) reported by Krane et al. [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. (2007)]. Details of the pressure and velocity fields and how they evolve with opening and closing of the glottis are presented, extending the information contained in the experimental database.