Abstract: This work presents numerical methods for the simulation of Non-Newtonian fluids in the continuum as well as the mesoscopic level. The former is achieved with Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) spectral h/p methods, while the latter employs the Dissipative Particle Dynamics (DPD) technique. Physical results are also presented as a motivation for a clear understanding of the underlying numerical approaches.

The macroscopic simulations employ two non-Newtonian models, namely the Reiner-Rivlin (RR) and the viscoelastic FENE-P model.

• A spectral viscosity method defined by two parameters ε, M is used to stabilize the FENE-P conformation tensor c. Convergence studies are presented for different combinations of these parameters. Two boundary conditions for the tensor c are also investigated.
• Agreement is achieved with other works for Stokes flow of a two-dimensional cylinder in a channel. Comparison of the axial normal stress and drag coefficient on the cylinder is presented. Further, similar results from unsteady two- and three-dimensional turbulent flows past a flat plate in a channel are shown.
• The RR problem is formulated for nearly incompressible flows, with the introduction of a mathematically equivalent tensor formulation. A spectral viscosity method and polynomial over-integration are studied. Convergence studies, including a three-dimensional channel flow with a parallel slot, investigate numerical problems arising from elemental boundaries and sharp corners.
• The round hole pressure problem is presented for Newtonian and RR fluids in geometries with different hole sizes. Comparison with experimental data is made for the Newtonian case. The flaw in the experimental assumptions of undisturbed pressure opposite the hole is revealed, while good agreement with the data is shown. The Higashitani-Pritchard kinematical theory for RR fluids is recovered for round holes and an approximate formula for the RR Stokes hole pressure is presented.

• A novel family of time-staggered integrators is presented, taking advantage of the time-scale disparity between polymer-solvent and solvent-solvent interactions. Convergence tests for relaxation parameters for the velocity-Verlet and Lowe's schemes are presented.
• Wormlike chains simulating λ-DNA molecules subject to constant shear are studied, and direct comparison with Brownian Dynamics and experimental results is made. The effect of the number of beads per chain is examined through the extension autocorrelation function.
• The Schmidt number (Sc) for each numerical scheme is investigated and the dependence on the scheme's parameters is shown. Re-visiting the wormlike chain problem under shear, we recover a better agreement with the experimental data through proper adjustment of Sc.