  A novel hybrid spectral difference/embedded finite volume method is
introduced in order to apply a discontinuous high-order method for large scale
engineering applications involving discontinuities in the flows with complex
geometries. In the proposed hybrid approach, the finite volume (FV) element,
consisting of structured FV subcells, is embedded in the base hexahedral
element containing discontinuity, and an FV based high-order shock-capturing
scheme is employed to overcome the Gibbs phenomena. Thus, a discontinuity is
captured at the resolution of FV subcells within an embedded FV element. In the
smooth flow region, the SD element is used in the base hexahedral element.
Then, the governing equations are solved by the SD method. The SD method is
chosen for its low numerical dissipation and computational efficiency
preserving high-order accurate solutions. The coupling between the SD element
and the FV element is achieved by the globally conserved mortar method. In this
paper, the 5th-order WENO scheme with the characteristic decomposition is
employed as the shock-capturing scheme in the embedded FV element, and the
5th-order SD method is used in the smooth flow field.
  The order of accuracy study and various 1D and 2D test cases are carried out,
which involve the discontinuities and vortex flows. Overall, it is shown that
the proposed hybrid method results in comparable or better simulation results
compared with the standalone WENO scheme when the same number of solution DOF
is considered in both SD and FV elements.
