AbstractThe equations for the meridional through‐flow in a turbomachine are formulated as a quasi‐harmonic non‐linear equation. This equation is then solved iteratively by the finite element method and in order to obtain convergence an under‐relaxation factor has to be introduced. Comparisons with experimental results in single and multistage axial compressors show very good agreement. The finite element method is thus shown to be an efficient tool for this type of