Isogeometric discretization methods in computational fluid mechanics

In this lead article of the special issue, we provide a brief summary of the research developments in Isogeometric Analysis (IGA) for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). We focus on the use of IGA in combination with stabilized and variational multiscale methods in fluids. We highlight the key developments and present results in IGA-based CFD that makes this technology attractive for the computational analysis of complex, unsteady and, often turbulent, flows encountered in modern science and engineering applications. We cover both incompressible and compressible flows, numerical method development and performance evaluation using benchmark problems, and applications ranging from stratified environmental flows over complex terrains to concrete-blast fluid–structure interaction. A short synopsis of each article in the special issue is also provided to help reader quickly see what is in the special issue.