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At least 37 records · Page 2

On the sensitivity of the N-body problem to small changes in initial conditions. III

The effects of increasing the softening parameter, epsilon, in the two body-forces are investigated in order to ascertain the relative importance for this instability of close encounters and the bulk mean field. Consideration is given to both the mean e-folding times for individual particle perturbations and the e-folding times for the total 3N-dimensional configuration space perturbation, which continues to grow exponentially until the typical perturbation of an individual particle becomes comparable to the size of the system. Close encounters and the bulk mean field are both important and apparently reinforce each other: the relatively smooth, systematic tidal force associated with the mean field tends to amplify divergences associated with 'kicks' induced by shorter range effects, which remain important even for large N.

Kandrup, Henry E.↗

Numerical experiments on the accuracy of ENO and modified ENO schemes

Numerical experiments have been performed using different ENO schemes and different time discretizations, in order to assess accuracy-degeneracy phenomena of the type described by Rogerson and Meiburg (1990). A modified ENO scheme recovers the correct order of accuracy for all the test problems with smooth initial conditions and gives results comparable to the original ENO schemes for discontinuous problems. It is concluded that ENO schemes may lose the full high-order accuracy predicted by local truncation-error analysis for scalar linear conservation laws with smooth initial conditions. A modified ENO scheme can overcome this accuracy-degeneracy problem for the test problems without increasing the computational cost.

Shu, Chi-Wang↗

Numerical experiments on the accuracy of ENO and modified ENO schemes

Further numerical experiments are made assessing an accuracy degeneracy phenomena. A modified essentially non-oscillatory (ENO) scheme is proposed, which recovers the correct order of accuracy for all the test problems with smooth initial conditions and gives comparable results with the original ENO schemes for discontinuous problems.

Shu, Chi-Wang↗

Computation and Validation of Fluid/Structure Twin Tail Buffet Response

The buffet response of the flexible twin-tail/delta wing configuration, a multidisciplinary problem, is solved using three sets of equations on a multi-block grid structure. The first set is the unsteady, compressible, full Navier-Stokes equations which are used for obtaining the flow-field vector and the aerodynamic loads on the twin tails. The second set is the coupled aeroelastic equations which are used for obtaining the bending and torsional deflections of the twin tails. The third set is the grid-displacement equations which are used for updating the grid coordinates due to the tail deflections. The computational model is similar to the one used by Washburn et. al. which consists of a delta wing of aspect ratio one and twin tails with taper ratios of 0.23. The vortex of the twin tails are located at the wing trailing edge. The configuration is pitched at 30 deg angle of attack, and the freestream Mach number and Reynolds number are 0.3 and 1.25 million, respectively. With the twin tails fixed as rigid surfaces, the problem is solved for the initial flow conditions. Next, the problem is solved for the twin tail response for uncoupled bending and torsional vibrations due to the unsteady loads produced by the vortex breakdown flow of the leading-edge vortex cores. The configuration is investigated for three spanwise positions of the twin tails; inboard, midspan and outboard locations. The computational results are validated and are in very good agreement with the experimental data of Washburn, et. al.

Massey, Steven J.↗

Effect of Configuration Pitching Motion on Twin Tail Buffet Response

The effect of dynamic pitch-up motion of delta wing on twin-tail buffet response is investigated. The computational model consists of a delta wing-twin tail configuration. The computations are carried out on a dynamic multi-block grid structure. This multidisciplinary problem is solved using three sets of equations which consists of the unsteady Navier-Stokes equations, the aeroelastic equations, and the grid displacement equations. The configuration is pitched-up from zero up to 60 deg. angle of attack, and the freestream Mach number and Reynolds number are 0.3 and 1.25 million, respectively. With the twin tail fixed as rigid surfaces and with no-forced pitch-up motion, the problem is solved for the initial flow conditions. Next, the problem is solved for the twin-tail response for uncoupled bending and torsional vibrations due to the unsteady loads on the twin tail and due to the forced pitch-up motion. The dynamic pitch-up problem is also solved for the flow response with the twin tail kept rigid. The configuration is investigated for inboard position of the twin tail which corresponds to a separation distance between the twin tail of 33% wing chord. The computed results are compared with the available experimental data.

Sheta, Essam F.↗

Numerical simulation of transition in wall-bounded shear flows

The current status of numerical simulation techniques for the transition to turbulence in incompressible channel and boundary-layer flows is surveyed, and typical results are presented graphically. The focus is on direct numerical simulations based on the full nonlinear time-dependent Navier-Stokes equations without empirical closure assumptions for prescribed initial and boundary conditions. Topics addressed include the vibrating ribbon problem, space and time discretization, initial and boundary conditions, alternative methods based on the triple-deck approximation, two-dimensional channel and boundary-layer flows, three-dimensional boundary layers, wave packets and turbulent spots, compressible flows, transition control, and transition modeling.

Kleiser, Leonhard↗

Numerical experiments on the stability of disklike galaxies

It is noted that the stability properties of available galactic models are not consistent with presumptions based on observation and that axisymmetric disk systems with velocity dispersions like those of the Galaxy display major changes in form on a dynamical time scale. A report is given on a series of numerical experiments carried out as part of a systematic search for purely self-consistent disk galaxy models that might undergo little change over the time of several galactic rotations. The stability problem is reviewed, the method and calculations used are described, and initial conditions are outlined. The problem of estimating growth rates is discussed, and growth rates are evaluated for various disturbances. Experimental results are presented concerning growths of axisymmetric disturbances in 'cold' systems as well as disturbances with m = 1, 2, and 3. It is found that m = 2 disturbances are the most virulent and should dominate when all m values are allowed, but that the most rapidly growing disturbances are inhibited when several m values are allowed.

Miller, R. H.↗

A greedy Galerkin method to efficiently select sensors for linear dynamical systems

A key challenge in inverse problems is the selection of sensors to gather the most effective data. In this paper, we consider the problem of inferring the initial condition to a linear dynamical system and develop an efficient control-theoretical approach for greedily selecting sensors. Our method employs a Galerkin projection to reduce the size of the inverse problem, resulting in a computationally efficient algorithm for sensor selection. As a byproduct of our algorithm, we obtain a preconditioner for the inverse problem that enables the rapid recovery of the initial condition. Here, we analyze the theoretical performance of our greedy sensor selection algorithm as well as the performance of the associated preconditioner. Finally, we verify our theoretical results on various inverse problems involving partial differential equations.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Investigating the use of field solvers for simulating classical systems

We explore the use of field solvers as approximations of classical Vlasov-Poisson systems. This correspondence is investigated in both electrostatic and gravitational contexts. We demonstrate the ability of field solvers to be excellent approximations of problems with cold initial condition into the nonlinear regime. We also investigate extensions of the Schrödinger-Poisson system that employ multiple stacked cold streams, and the von Neumann–Poisson equation as methods that can successfully reproduce the classical evolution of warm initial conditions. We then discuss how appropriate simulation parameters need to be chosen to avoid interference terms, aliasing, and wave behavior in the field solver solutions. Finally, we present a series of criteria clarifying how parameters need to be chosen in order to effectively approximate classical solutions.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

High speed flow past wings

The analytical solution to the transonic small perturbation equation which describes steady compressible flow past finite wings at subsonic speeds can be expressed as a nonlinear integral equation with the perturbation velocity potential as the unknown function. This known formulation is substituted by a system of nonlinear algebraic equations to which various methods are applicable for its solution. Due to the presence of mathematical discontinuities in the flow solutions, however, a main computational difficulty was to ensure uniqueness of the solutions when local velocities on the wing exceeded the speed of sound. For continuous solutions this was achieved by embedding the algebraic system in an one-parameter operator homotopy in order to apply the method of parametric differentiation. The solution to the initial system of equations appears then as a solution to a Cauchy problem where the initial condition is related to the accompanying incompressible flow solution. In using this technique, however, a continuous dependence of the solution development on the initial data is lost when the solution reaches the minimum bifurcation point. A steepest descent iteration technique was therefore, added to the computational scheme for the calculation of discontinuous flow solutions. Results for purely subsonic flows and supersonic flows with and without compression shocks are given and compared with other available theoretical solutions.

Norstrud, H.↗

On the Navier-Stokes equations with constant total temperature

For various applications in fluid dynamics, it is assumed that the total temperature is constant. Therefore, the energy equation can be replaced by an algebraic relation. The resulting set of equations in the inviscid case is analyzed. It is shown that the system is strictly hyperbolic and well posed for the initial value problems. Boundary conditions are described such that the linearized system is well posed. The Hopscotch method is investigated and numerical results are presented.

Gottlieb, D.↗

On the Navier-Stokes equations with constant total temperature

For various applications in fluid dynamics, one can assume that the total temperature is constant. Therefore, the energy equations can be replaced by an algebraic relation. The resulting set of equations in the inviscid case is analyzed in this paper. It is shown that the system is strictly hyperbolic and well posed for the initial-value problem. Boundary conditions are described such that the linearized system is well posed. The hopscotch method is investigated and numerical results are presented.

Gottlieb, D.↗

Estimation of discontinuous coefficients in parabolic systems - Applications to reservoir simulation

Spline-based techniques for estimating spatially varying parameters that appear in parabolic distributed systems (typical of those found in reservoir simulation problems) are presented. In particular, the problem of determining discontinuous coefficients is discussed, estimating both the functional shape and points of discontinuity for such parameters. In addition, the ideas may also be applied to problems with unknown initial conditions and unknown parameters appearing in terms representing external forces. Convergence results and a summary of numerical performance of the resulting algorithms are given.

Lamm, Patricia K.↗

On the breakup of viscous liquid threads

A one-dimensional model evolution equation is used to describe the nonlinear dynamics that can lead to the breakup of a cylindrical thread of Newtonian fluid when capillary forces drive the motion. The model is derived from the Stokes equations by use of rational asymptotic expansions and under a slender jet approximation. The equations are solved numerically and the jet radius is found to vanish after a finite time yielding breakup. The slender jet approximation is valid throughout the evolution leading to pinching. The model admits self-similar pinching solutions which yield symmetric shapes at breakup. These solutions are shown to be the ones selected by the initial boundary value problem, for general initial conditions. Further more, the terminal state of the model equation is shown to be identical to that predicted by a theory which looks for singular pinching solutions directly from the Stokes equations without invoking the slender jet approximation throughout the evolution. It is shown quantitatively, therefore, that the one-dimensional model gives a consistent terminal state with the jet shape being locally symmetric at breakup. The asymptotic expansion scheme is also extended to include unsteady and inerticial forces in the momentum equations to derive an evolution system modelling the breakup of Navier-Stokes jets. The model is employed in extensive simulations to compute breakup times for different initial conditions; satellite drop formation is also supported by the model and the dependence of satellite drop volumes on initial conditions is studied.

Papageorgiou, Demetrios T.↗

MatCal Users Guide: Release 1.3.0

Any continuum mechanics model will require three components: (1) a discretized geometry of the boundary value problem being studied, (2) the partial differential equations to be solved, and (3) the initial conditions and boundary conditions for the problem. To describe material behavior in these computational models, material models contribute to (2) the underlying equations and, occasionally, to (3) the initial conditions for the simulation. These material models can exhibit a mathematical form that is empirically based, based on first principles, or developed from both empirical observations and known physics. In general, these models are meant to represent a class of materials with well understood behavior. As a result, material models have parameters that must be tuned or calibrated so that the model response matches characterization data available for the specific material it is intended to represent when used to simulate a specific system. For simple models, such as isotropic, linear elastic materials in solid mechanics, this calibration process can be a simple analytical calculation directly extracting the parameters from experimental measurements. For complex models that have many inputs and require many characterization datasets to adequately identify the material behavior, the model calibration process can require an inverse problem approach where an optimization is performed to tune the model parameters to the available data.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Preliminary Planar Formation: Flight Dynamics Near Sun-Earth L2 Point

NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center is planning a series of missions in the vicinity of the Sun-Earth L2 libration point. Some of these projects will involve a distributed space system of telescope spacecraft acting together as a single telescope for high-resolution. The individual telescopes will be configured in a plane, surrounding a hub, where the telescope plane can be aimed toward various astronomical targets of interest. In preparation for these missions, it is necessary to develop an improved understanding of the dynamical behavior of objects in a planar configuration near L2. The classical circular restricted three body problem is taken as the basis for the analysis. At first order, the motion of such a telescope relative to the hub is described by a system of linear second order differential equations. These equations are identical to the circular restricted problem's linear equations describing the hub motion about L2. Therefore, the fundamental frequencies, both parallel to and normal to the ecliptic plane, are the same for the relative telescope motion as for the hub motion. To maintain the telescope plane for the duration necessary for the planned observations, a halo-type orbit of the telescopes about the hub is investigated. By using a halo orbit, the individual telescopes remain in approximately the same plane over the observation duration. For such an orbit, the fundamental periods parallel to and normal to the ecliptic plane are forced to be the same by careful selection of the initial conditions in order to adjust the higher order forces. The relative amplitudes of the resulting oscillations are associated with the orientation of the telescope plane relative to the ecliptic. As in the circular restricted problem, initial conditions for the linearized equations must be selected so as not to excite the convergent or divergent linear modes. In a higher order analysis, the telescope relative motion equations include the effects of the position of the hub relative to L2. In this paper, the differential equations are developed through second order in the distance of the hub from the libration point. A modified Lindstedt-Poincad perturbation method is employed to construct the solution of these differential equations through that same order of magnitude. In the course of the solution process, relationships are determined between the initial conditions of the telescopes, selected in order to avoid resonance excitation. As the differential equations include the hub position, it is necessary to simultaneously develop the solution for the hub. As has been done in past analyses of the circular restricted problem, the hub position is written in a power series formulation in terms of its distance from L2. Then, in order to be included in the telescope equations, the hub solution is cast in terms of the nonlinear frequency of the relative telescope motion. In the course of the analysis, it is determined that the hub should also maintain a halo orbit - about L2. Additionally, relationships are formed between the initial conditions of the telescopes and the hub. These relationships may be used to associate sets of initial conditions with particular orientations of the telescope plane. The accuracy of the analytical solution is verified through various simulations and comparison to numerical integration of the differential equations. The results of the simulations are presented, along with a graphical representation of the relationships between the initial conditions of the telescopes and hub.

Segerman, Alan M.↗

Extending Explicit Guidance Methods to Higher Dimensions, Additional Conditions, and Higher Order Integration

Guidance functions play critical roles in autonomy to steer vehicles and aircraft to the intended target or destination. Explicit guidance (E Guidance) solves the two-point boundary value problem with initial and final conditions for position and velocity. The original formulation of E Guidance involves translational acceleration commands with a direct relationship to time, and it is possible to modify E Guidance for rotational acceleration. Other extensions for E Guidance include higher dimensions, additional conditions, and higher-order integration of the linearly independent E Guidance functions. The most promising extension involves higher-order integration of the E Guidance functions, but it may be physically impractical by initially moving away from the target. This paper provides a brief overview of some methods that extend E Guidance to higher dimensions, utilize additional conditions, or perform higher-order integration, and if they satisfy the two-point boundary value problem.

explicit guidance↗