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At least 37 records · Page 2

Flow structure capturing on overset patched meshes

The present paper describes the application of a simple, robust stable implicit approach to solutions of the conservative equations of gasdynamics on either composite or overset meshes to capture flow structures such as shocks with high resolution in complex geometric domains. Without requiring special flux conservative operators, but rather, interpolating conservative variable data at mesh boundaries, the well posed upwind method provides accurate and oscillation free solutions, even when shocks cross the interior patch boundaries. In three problems with flow complexities that require grid refinement, the paper demonstrates the capability to conveniently carry out for gasdynamics the adaptive refined meshing strategy in overset patches proposed by Berger and Oliger (1984), and it extends this technique to rapidly convergent implicit methods for the Euler and Navier-Stokes equations. The numerical experiments show concretely, in a realistic aerodynamic problem, the savings in mesh points (about an order of magnitude here in two dimensions) for similar accuracy that flow structure aligned adaptive patched meshing affords compared to uniform grid refinement.

Venkatapathy, E.↗

Tracking flow features using overset grids

A method is proposed to use overset grid topology to track dynamic flow features. Features of interest such as moving shock waves and vortices are overset with relatively fine tracker grids. Solutions are computed on the various grids and information is exchanged at intergrid boundaries. A grid track-sensor variable such as pressure is used to track the position of the flow feature to be resolved. The tracker grid is moved to the position where the track-sensor variable has the desired value (generally a maximum or a minimum) and new interpolation coefficients are computed for information exchange across grid boundaries. Solutions are computed at the current location and time-step, and grid motion is brought into the solution via time metrics. The method is demonstrated by tracking a moving shock and vortices shed behind a circular cylinder. It is conjectured that the method would show significant benefits in resolving features such as wakes behind oscillating airfoils and trajectories of jets issuing from rotating nozzles as encountered during thrust-vectoring.

Chawla, Kalpana↗

Numerical simulation of a powered-lift landing, tracking flow features using overset grids, and simulation of high lift devices on a fighter-lift-and-control wing

Attached as appendices to this report are documents describing work performed on the simulation of a landing powered-lift delta wing, the tracking of flow features using overset grids, and the simulation of flaps on the Wright Patterson Lab's fighter-lift-and-control (FLAC) wing. Numerical simulation of a powered-lift landing includes the computation of flow about a delta wing at four fixed heights as well as a simulated landing, in which the delta wing descends toward the ground. Comparison of computed and experimental lift coefficients indicates that the simulations capture the qualitative trends in lift-loss encountered by thrust-vectoring aircraft operating in ground effect. Power spectra of temporal variations of pressure indicate computed vortex shedding frequencies close to the jet exit are in the experimentally observed frequency range; the power spectra of pressure also provide insights into the mechanisms of lift oscillations. Also, a method for using overset grids to track dynamic flow features is described and the method is validated by tracking a moving shock and vortices shed behind a circular cylinder. Finally, Chimera gridding strategies were used to develop pressure coefficient contours for the FLAC wing for a Mach no. of 0.18 and Reynolds no. of 2.5 million.

Chawla, Kalpana↗

Overset grid applications on distributed memory MIMD computers

Analysis of modern aerospace vehicles requires the computation of flowfields about complex three dimensional geometries composed of regions with varying spatial resolution requirements. Overset grid methods allow the use of proven structured grid flow solvers to address the twin issues of geometrical complexity and the resolution variation by decomposing the complex physical domain into a collection of overlapping subdomains. This flexibility is accompanied by the need for irregular intergrid boundary communication among the overlapping component grids. This study investigates a strategy for implementing such a static overset grid implicit flow solver on distributed memory, MIMD computers; i.e., the 128 node Intel iPSC/860 and the 208 node Intel Paragon. Performance data for two composite grid configurations characteristic of those encountered in present day aerodynamic analysis are also presented.

Chawla, Kalpana↗

On automating domain connectivity for overset grids

An alternative method for domain connectivity among systems of overset grids is presented. Reference uniform Cartesian systems of points are used to achieve highly efficient domain connectivity, and form the basis for a future fully automated system. The Cartesian systems are used to approximated body surfaces and to map the computational space of component grids. By exploiting the characteristics of Cartesian Systems, Chimera type hole-cutting and identification of donor elements for intergrid boundary points can be carried out very efficiently. The method is tested for a range of geometrically complex multiple-body overset grid systems.

Chiu, Ing-Tsau↗

Navier-Stokes simulation of rotor-body flowfield in hover using overset grids

A free-wake Navier-Stokes numerical scheme and multiple Chimera overset grids have been utilized for calculating the quasi-steady hovering flowfield of a Boeing-360 rotor mounted on an axisymmetric whirl-tower. The entire geometry of this rotor-body configuration is gridded-up with eleven different overset grids. The composite grid has 1.3 million grid points for the entire flow domain. The numerical results, obtained using coarse grids and a rigid rotor assumption, show a thrust value that is within 5% of the experimental value at a flow condition of M(sub tip) = 0.63, Theta(sub c) = 8 deg, and Re = 2.5 x 10(exp 6). The numerical method thus demonstrates the feasibility of using a multi-block scheme for calculating the flowfields of complex configurations consisting of rotating and non-rotating components.

Srinivasan, G. R.↗

On automating domain connectivity for overset grids

An alternative method for domain connectivity among systems of overset grids is presented. Reference uniform Cartesian systems of points are used to achieve highly efficient domain connectivity, and form the basis for a future fully automated system. The Cartesian systems are used to approximate body surfaces and to map the computational space of component grids. By exploiting the characteristics of Cartesian systems, Chimera type hole-cutting and identification of donor elements for intergrid boundary points can be carried out very efficiently. The method is tested for a range of geometrically complex multiple-body overset grid systems. A dynamic hole expansion/contraction algorithm is also implemented to obtain optimum domain connectivity; however, it is tested only for geometry of generic shapes.

Chiu, Ing-Tsau↗

A Solution Adaptive Structured/Unstructured Overset Grid Flow Solver with Applications to Helicopter Rotor Flows

This paper summarizes a method that solves both the three dimensional thin-layer Navier-Stokes equations and the Euler equations using overset structured and solution adaptive unstructured grids with applications to helicopter rotor flowfields. The overset structured grids use an implicit finite-difference method to solve the thin-layer Navier-Stokes/Euler equations while the unstructured grid uses an explicit finite-volume method to solve the Euler equations. Solutions on a helicopter rotor in hover show the ability to accurately convect the rotor wake. However, isotropic subdivision of the tetrahedral mesh rapidly increases the overall problem size.

Duque, Earl P. N.↗

OVERAERO-MPI: Parallel Overset Aeroelasticity Code

An overset modal structures analysis code was integrated with a parallel overset Navier-Stokes flow solver to obtain a code capable of static aeroelastic computations. The new code was used to compute the static aeroelastic deformation of an arrow-wing-body geometry and a complex, full aircraft configuration. For the simple geometry, the results were similar to the results obtained with the ENSAERO code and the PVM version of OVERAERO. The full potential of this code suite was illustrated in the complex, full aircraft computations.

Gee, Ken↗

Recent Developments in Grid Generation and Force Integration Technology for Overset Grids

Recent developments in algorithms and software tools for generating overset grids for complex configurations are described. These include the overset surface grid generation code SURGRD and version 2.0 of the hyperbolic volume grid generation code HYPGEN. The SURGRD code is in beta test mode where the new features include the capability to march over a collection of panel networks, a variety of ways to control the side boundaries and the marching step sizes and distance, a more robust projection scheme and an interpolation option. New features in version 2.0 of HYPGEN include a wider range of boundary condition types. The code also allows the user to specify different marching step sizes and distance for each point on the surface grid. A scheme that takes into account of the overlapped zones on the body surface for the purpose of forces and moments computation is also briefly described, The process involves the following two software modules: MIXSUR - a composite grid generation module to produce a collection of quadrilaterals and triangles on which pressure and viscous stresses are to be integrated, and OVERINT - a forces and moments integration module.

Chan, William M.↗

Time-Dependent Simulation of Incompressible Flow in a Turbopump Using Overset Grid Approach

This paper reports the progress being made towards complete unsteady turbopump simulation capability by using overset grid systems. A computational model of a turbo-pump impeller is used as a test case for the performance evaluation of the MPI, hybrid MPI/Open-MP, and MLP versions of the INS3D code. Relative motion of the grid system for rotor-stator interaction was obtained by employing overset grid techniques. Unsteady computations for a turbo-pump, which contains 114 zones with 34.3 Million grid points, are performed on Origin 2000 systems at NASA Ames Research Center. The approach taken for these simulations, and the performance of the parallel versions of the code are presented.

Kiris, Cetin↗

CFD Process Automation Using Overset Grids

This talk summarizes three applications of the overset grid method for CFD using some level of automated grid generation, flow solution and post-processing. These applications are 2D high-lift airfoil analysis (INS2D code), turbomachinery applications (ROTOR2/3 codes), and subsonic transport wing/body configurations (OVERFLOW code). These examples provide a forum for discussing the advantages and disadvantages of overset gridding for use in an automated CFD process. The goals and benefits of the automation incorporated in each application will be described, as well as the shortcomings of the approaches.

Buning, Pieter G.↗

On Efficient Parallel Implementation of Moving Body Overset Grid Methods

An investigation into the parallel performance of moving-body overset grid methods will be presented. Parallel versions of the OVERFLOW flow solver, DCF3D domain connectivity software, and SIXDO six-degree-of-freedom routine are coupled with an automatic load balance routine and tested for 3D Navier-Stokes calculations on the IBM SP2. The primary source of parallel inefficiency in moving and problems are the domain connectivity costs with DCF 3D. Although this algorithm constitutes a relatively low fraction of the total solution cost (e.g. 10-20%) in calculations on serial machines, the consequently cause a significant degradation in the overall parallel performance. The paper will highlight some approaches for improving the scalability of DCF3D. The paper will present results of a proposed new load balancing scheme that seeks more equal distribution of the inter-grid boundary points in order to more evenly load balance the donor search costs associated with DCF3D. Some preliminary results will also be given from a new solution-adaption algorithm coupled with OVERFLOW which incorporates overset cartesian grids with various levels of refinement. The measured parallel performance from a descending delta-wing configuration and a generic store-separation from a wing/pylon case will be presented.

Wissink, Andrew M.↗

PEGASUS 5: An Automated Pre-Processor for Overset-Grid CFD

An all new, automated version of the PEGASUS software has been developed and tested. PEGASUS provides the hole-cutting and connectivity information between overlapping grids, and is used as the final part of the grid generation process for overset-grid computational fluid dynamics approaches. The new PEGASUS code (Version 5) has many new features: automated hole cutting; a projection scheme for fixing gaps in overset surfaces; more efficient interpolation search methods using an alternating digital tree; hole-size optimization based on adding additional layers of fringe points; and an automatic restart capability. The new code has also been parallelized using the Message Passing Interface standard. The parallelization performance provides efficient speed-up of the execution time by an order of magnitude, and up to a factor of 30 for very large problems. The results of three example cases are presented: a three-element high-lift airfoil, a generic business jet configuration, and a complete Boeing 777-200 aircraft in a high-lift landing configuration. Comparisons of the computed flow fields for the airfoil and 777 test cases between the old and new versions of the PEGASUS codes show excellent agreement with each other and with experimental results.

Suhs, Norman E.↗

Recent Progress on the Parallel Implementation of Moving-Body Overset Grid Schemes

Viscous calculations about geometrically complex bodies in which there is relative motion between component parts is one of the most computationally demanding problems facing CFD researchers today. This presentation documents results from the first two years of a CHSSI-funded effort within the U.S. Army AFDD to develop scalable dynamic overset grid methods for unsteady viscous calculations with moving-body problems. The first pan of the presentation will focus on results from OVERFLOW-D1, a parallelized moving-body overset grid scheme that employs traditional Chimera methodology. The two processes that dominate the cost of such problems are the flow solution on each component and the intergrid connectivity solution. Parallel implementations of the OVERFLOW flow solver and DCF3D connectivity software are coupled with a proposed two-part static-dynamic load balancing scheme and tested on the IBM SP and Cray T3E multi-processors. The second part of the presentation will cover some recent results from OVERFLOW-D2, a new flow solver that employs Cartesian grids with various levels of refinement, facilitating solution adaption. A study of the parallel performance of the scheme on large distributed- memory multiprocessor computer architectures will be reported.

Wissink, Andrew↗

Selected Topics in Overset Technology Development and Applications At NASA Ames Research Center

This paper presents a general overview of overset technology development and applications at NASA Ames Research Center. The topics include: 1) Overview of overset activities at NASA Ames; 2) Recent developments in Chimera Grid Tools; 3) A general framework for multiple component dynamics; 4) A general script module for automating liquid rocket sub-systems simulations; and 5) Critical future work.

Chan, William M.↗

The Overgrid Interface for Computational Simulations on Overset Grids

Computational simulations using overset grids typically involve multiple steps and a variety of software modules. A graphical interface called OVERGRID has been specially designed for such purposes. Data required and created by the different steps include geometry, grids, domain connectivity information and flow solver input parameters. The interface provides a unified environment for the visualization, processing, generation and diagnosis of such data. General modules are available for the manipulation of structured grids and unstructured surface triangulations. Modules more specific for the overset approach include surface curve generators, hyperbolic and algebraic surface grid generators, a hyperbolic volume grid generator, Cartesian box grid generators, and domain connectivity: pre-processing tools. An interface provides automatic selection and viewing of flow solver boundary conditions, and various other flow solver inputs. For problems involving multiple components in relative motion, a module is available to build the component/grid relationships and to prescribe and animate the dynamics of the different components.

Chan, William M.↗