Engineering topics

Leveque, R. J.

Publications and source records attributed to Leveque, R. J..

9 records

NASA NTRS1990

Numerical Methods For Chemically Reacting Flows

Issues related to numerical stability, accuracy, and resolution discussed. Technical memorandum presents issues in numerical solution of hyperbolic conservation laws containing "stiff" (relatively large and rapidly changing) source terms. Such equations often used to represent chemically reacting flows. Usually solved by finite-difference numerical methods. Source terms generally necessitate use of small time and/or space steps to obtain sufficient resolution, especially at discontinuities, where incorrect mathematical modeling results in unphysical solutions.

Leveque, R. J.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Stable boundary conditions for Cartesian grid calculations

The inviscid Euler equations in complicated geometries are solved using a Cartesian grid. This requires solid wall boundary conditions in the irregular grid cells near the boundary. Since these cells may be orders of magnitude smaller than the regular grid cells, stability is a primary concern. An approach to this problem is presented and its use is illustrated.

Berger, M. J.↗

NASA NTRS1990

A study of numerical methods for hyperbolic conservation laws with stiff source terms

In the present study of the behavior of typical numerical methods in the case of a model advection equation having a parameter-dependent source term, two approaches to the incorporation of the source terms are used: MacCormack-type predictor-corrector methods with flux limiters, and splitting methods in which the fluid dynamics and chemistry are handled in separate steps. The latter are found to perform slightly better. The model scalar equation is used to show that the incorrectness of the propagation speeds of discontinuities observed in the stiff case is due to the introduction of nonequilibrium values through numerical dissipation in the advection step.

Leveque, R. J.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Stable boundary conditions for Cartesian grid calculations

Berger, M. J.↗

NASA NTRS1988

A study of numerical methods for hyperbolic conservation laws with stiff source terms

The proper modeling of nonequilibrium gas dynamics is required in certain regimes of hypersonic flow. For inviscid flow this gives a system of conservation laws coupled with source terms representing the chemistry. Often a wide range of time scales is present in the problem, leading to numerical difficulties as in stiff systems of ordinary differential equations. Stability can be achieved by using implicit methods, but other numerical difficulties are observed. The behavior of typical numerical methods on a simple advection equation with a parameter-dependent source term was studied. Two approaches to incorporate the source term were utilized: MacCormack type predictor-corrector methods with flux limiters, and splitting methods in which the fluid dynamics and chemistry are handled in separate steps. Various comparisons over a wide range of parameter values were made. In the stiff case where the solution contains discontinuities, incorrect numerical propagation speeds are observed with all of the methods considered. This phenomenon is studied and explained.

Leveque, R. J.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Fourier analysis of the SOR iteration

The SOR iteration for solving linear systems of equations depends upon an overrelaxation factor omega. It is shown that for the standard model problem of Poisson's equation on a rectangle, the optimal omega and corresponding convergence rate can be rigorously obtained by Fourier analysis. The trick is to tilt the space-time grid so that the SOR stencil becomes symmetrical. The tilted grid also gives insight into the relation between convergence rates of several variants.

Leveque, R. J.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Intermediate boundary conditions for LOD, ADI and approximate factorization methods

A general approach to determining the correct intermediate boundary conditions for dimensional splitting methods is presented. The intermediate solution U is viewed as a second order accurate approximation to a modified equation. Deriving the modified equation and using the relationship between this equation and the original equation allows us to determine the correct boundary conditions for U*. This technique is illustrated by applying it to locally one dimensional (LOD) and alternating direction implicit (ADI) methods for the heat equation in two and three space dimensions. The approximate factorization method is considered in slightly more generality.

Leveque, R. J.↗

NASA NTRS1984

A geometric approach to high resolution TVD schemes

A geometric approach, similar to Van Leer's MUSCL schemes, is used to construct a second-order accurate generalization of Godunov's method for solving scalar conservation laws. By making suitable approximations, a scheme is obtained which is easy to implement and total variation diminishing. The entropy condition is also investigated from the standpoint of the spreading of rarefaction waves. Quantitative information is obtained for Godunov's method on the rate of spreading which explain the kinks in rarefaction waves often observed at the sonic point.

Goodman, J. B.↗

NASA NTRS1983

On the resolvent condition in the Kreiss matrix theorem

The Kreiss Matrix Theorem asserts the uniform equivalence over all N x N matrices of power boundedness and a certain resolvent estimate. It is shown that the ratio of the constants in these two conditions grows linearly with N, and the optimal proportionality factor is obtained up to a factor of 2. Analogous results are also given for the related problem involving matrix exponentials. The proofs make use of a lemma that may be of independent interest, which bounds the arch length of the image of a circle in the complex plane under a rational function.

Leveque, R. J.↗