Pinning-Sliding Transition Model for Algebraic VOF

  • Sanchez Gamero, Sergi (AVL List GmbH - OvGU)
  • Edelbauer, Wilfried (AVL List GmbH, Hans List Platz, Graz)
  • Janiga, Gabor (University of Magdeburg “Otto von Guericke”)
  • Gavaises, Manolis (The City University, London)

Please login to view abstract download link

Dynamic contact angle modelling in algebraic Volume-of-Fluid (VOF) methods is challenging due to contact line pinning–sliding transitions and the diffuse interface thickness. Conventional threshold-based switching often leads to inconsistent depinning and artificially prolonged pinning. This work proposes a dynamic contact angle model that evaluates the transition exclusively on contact-line cells intersected by the interface isosurface (α = 0.5), with the sliding state consistently propagated across the interface thickness. Curvature-based extrapolation is used to improve wall-adjacent contact angle accuracy. The model is validated for droplets in microchannels on hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces, showing improved depinning behaviour.