Accuracy study of finite difference methods
Perturbation techniques for error analysis of finite difference approximations for linear differential equations
Cyrus, N. J.↗
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Vibration analysis of rotating turbomachinery blades by an improved finite difference method
The problem of calculating the natural frequencies and mode shapes of rotating blades is solved by an improved finite difference procedure based on second-order central differences. Lead-lag, flapping and coupled bending-torsional vibration cases of untwisted blades are considered. Results obtained by using the present improved theory have been observed to be close lower bound solutions. The convergence has been found to be rapid in comparison with the classical first-order finite difference method. While the computational space and time required by the present approach is observed to be almost the same as that required by the first-order theory for a given mesh size, accuracies of practical interest can be obtained by using the improved finite difference procedure with a relatively smaller matrix size, in contrast to the classical finite difference procedure which requires either a larger matrix or an extrapolation procedure for improvement in accuracy.
Subrahmanyam, K. B.↗
Applications of a General Finite-Difference Method for Calculating Bending Deformations of Solid Plates
This paper reports the findings of an investigation of a finite - difference method directly applicable to calculating static or simple harmonic flexures of solid plates and potentially useful in other problems of structural analysis. The method, which was proposed in doctoral thesis by John C. Houbolt, is based on linear theory and incorporates the principle of minimum potential energy. Full realization of its advantages requires use of high-speed computing equipment. After a review of Houbolt's method, results of some applications are presented and discussed. The applications consisted of calculations of the natural modes and frequencies of several uniform-thickness cantilever plates and, as a special case of interest, calculations of the modes and frequencies of the uniform free-free beam. Computed frequencies and nodal patterns for the first five or six modes of each plate are compared with existing experiments, and those for one plate are compared with another approximate theory. Beam computations are compared with exact theory. On the basis of the comparisons it is concluded that the method is accurate and general in predicting plate flexures, and additional applications are suggested. An appendix is devoted t o computing procedures which evolved in the progress of the applications and which facilitate use of the method in conjunction with high-speed computing equipment.
Walton, William C., Jr.↗
An efficient, direct finite difference method for computing sound propagation in arbitrarily shaped two-dimensional and axisymmetric ducts without flow
An efficient, direct finite difference method is presented for computing sound propagation in non-stepped two-dimensional and axisymmetric ducts of arbitrarily varying cross section without mean flow. The method is not restricted by axial variation of acoustic impedance of the duct wall linings. The non-uniform two-dimensional or axisymmetric duct is conformally mapped numerically into a rectangular or cylindrical computational domain using a new procedure based on a method of fast direct solution of the Cauchy-Riemann equations. The resulting Helmholtz equation in the computational domain is separable. The solution to the governing equation and boundary conditions is expressed as a linear combination of fundamental solutions. The fundamental solutions are computed only once for each duct shape by means of the fast direct cyclic reduction method for the discrete solution of separable elliptic equations. Numerical results for several examples are presented to show the applicability and efficiency of the method.
Chakravarthy, S.↗
Numerical computation of transonic flows by finite-element and finite-difference methods
Studies on applications of the finite element approach to transonic flow calculations are reported. Different discretization techniques of the differential equations and boundary conditions are compared. Finite element analogs of Murman's mixed type finite difference operators for small disturbance formulations were constructed and the time dependent approach (using finite differences in time and finite elements in space) was examined.
Hafez, M. M.↗
A comparative study of finite element and finite difference methods for Cauchy-Riemann type equations
A least squares formulation of the system divu = rho, curlu = zeta is surveyed from the viewpoint of both finite element and finite difference methods. Closely related arguments are shown to establish convergence estimates.
Fix, G. J.↗
Directional finite difference method for directly solving 3D gyrokinetic field equations with enhanced accuracy
The gyrokinetic (GK) field equation is a three-dimensional (3D) elliptic equation, but it is often simplified to a set of two-dimensional (2D) equations by assuming that the field does not vary along a specific direction. However, this simplification can introduce inevitable 0th-order numerical errors, as nonlinear mode coupling in toroidal geometry can produce undesirable harmonic modes that violate the assumption. In this work, we propose a novel directional finite difference method (FDM) with a local coordinate transformation to better resolve the target field of interest. The directional FDM can accurately solve 3D GK field equations without simplifications, which can overcome the limitations of conventional methods. The accuracy and efficiency of different FDMs are analyzed in great detail for a variety of geometries, from simple 2D Cartesian coordinates to realistic 3D curvilinear coordinates. The 0th-order numerical errors of simplified 2D GK equations were found to be more problematic for low-harmonic modes and low aspect ratio geometries such as spherical tokamaks. On the other hand, the directional 3D FDM can accurately resolve a much wider range of harmonic modes aligned to the direction of interest, including the low-harmonic modes. In conclusion, we demonstrate that the directional 3D FDM is a highly effective algorithm for solving the 3D GK field equations, achieving accuracy improvements of 10 to 100 times or more, particularly for low-harmonic modes in spherical tokamaks.
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
Low-dispersion finite difference methods for acoustic waves in a pipe
A new algorithm for computing one-dimensional acoustic waves in a pipe is demonstrated by solving the acoustic equations as an initial-boundary-value problem. Conventional dissipation-free second-order finite difference methods suffer severe phase distortion for grids with less that about ten mesh points per wavelength. Using the signal generation by a piston in a duct as an example, transient acoustic computations are presented using a new compact three-point algorithm which allows about 60 percent fewer mesh points per wavelength. Both pulse and harmonic excitation are considered. Coupling of the acoustic signal with the pipe resonant modes is shown to generate a complex transient wave with rich harmonic content.
Davis, Sanford↗
Multi-Dimensional High Order Essentially Non-Oscillatory Finite Difference Methods in Generalized Coordinates
This project is about the development of high order, non-oscillatory type schemes for computational fluid dynamics. Algorithm analysis, implementation, and applications are performed. Collaborations with NASA scientists have been carried out to ensure that the research is relevant to NASA objectives. The combination of ENO finite difference method with spectral method in two space dimension is considered, jointly with Cai [3]. The resulting scheme behaves nicely for the two dimensional test problems with or without shocks. Jointly with Cai and Gottlieb, we have also considered one-sided filters for spectral approximations to discontinuous functions [2]. We proved theoretically the existence of filters to recover spectral accuracy up to the discontinuity. We also constructed such filters for practical calculations.
Shu, Chi-Wang↗
On the validity of the modified equation approach to the stability analysis of finite-difference methods
The validity of the modified equation stability analysis introduced by Warming and Hyett was investigated. It is shown that the procedure used in the derivation of the modified equation is flawed and generally leads to invalid results. Moreover, the interpretation of the modified equation as the exact partial differential equation solved by a finite-difference method generally cannot be justified even if spatial periodicity is assumed. For a two-level scheme, due to a series of mathematical quirks, the connection between the modified equation approach and the von Neuman method established by Warming and Hyett turns out to be correct despite its questionable original derivation. However, this connection is only partially valid for a scheme involving more than two time levels. In the von Neumann analysis, the complex error multiplication factor associated with a wave number generally has (L-1) roots for an L-level scheme. It is shown that the modified equation provides information about only one of these roots.
Chang, Sin-Chung↗
Calculation by a finite difference method of supersonic turbulent boundary layers with tangential slot injection
Finite difference calculation based on eddy diffusivity and mixing length flow theory to characterize supersonic turbulent boundary layer with tangential slot injection
Beckwith, I. E.↗
High Order Finite Difference Methods for Multiscale Complex Compressible Flows
The classical way of analyzing finite difference schemes for hyperbolic problems is to investigate as many as possible of the following points: (1) Linear stability for constant coefficients; (2) Linear stability for variable coefficients; (3) Non-linear stability; and (4) Stability at discontinuities. We will build a new numerical method, which satisfies all types of stability, by dealing with each of the points above step by step.
Sjoegreen, Bjoern↗
Implicit finite difference methods on composite grids
Techniques for eliminating time lags in the implicit finite-difference solution of partial differential equations are investigated analytically, with a focus on transient fluid dynamics problems on overlapping multicomponent grids. The fundamental principles of the approach are explained, and the method is shown to be applicable to both rectangular and curvilinear grids. Numerical results for sample problems are compared with exact solutions in graphs, and good agreement is demonstrated.
Mastin, C. Wayne↗
Maximum principle methods for the discretization error in the approximation of the Bergman harmonic kernel by finite difference methods.
Approximation for discretization error of discrete analog of Bergman harmonic kernel, discussing discretization error in Dirichlet and Neumann problems for Laplace equation
Huddleston, R. E.↗
Finite difference methods for the solution of unsteady potential flows
Various problems which are confronted in the development of an unsteady finite difference potential code are reviewed mainly in the context of what is done for a typical small disturbance and full potential method. The issues discussed include choice of equations, linearization and conservation, differencing schemes, and algorithm development. A number of applications, including unsteady three dimensional rotor calculations, are demonstrated.
Caradonna, F. X.↗
A finite-difference method for transonic airfoil design.
This paper describes an inverse method for designing transonic airfoil sections or for modifying existing profiles. Mixed finite-difference procedures are applied to the equations of transonic small disturbance theory to determine the airfoil shape corresponding to a given surface pressure distribution. The equations are solved for the velocity components in the physical domain and flows with embedded shock waves can be calculated. To facilitate airfoil design, the method allows alternating between inverse and direct calculations to obtain a profile shape that satisfies given geometric constraints. Examples are shown of the application of the technique to improve the performance of several lifting airfoil sections. The extension of the method to three dimensions for designing supercritical wings is also indicated.
Steger, J. L.↗
Finite difference methods for the solution of unsteady potential flows
A brief review is presented of various problems which are confronted in the development of an unsteady finite difference potential code. This review is conducted mainly in the context of what is done for a typical small disturbance and full potential methods. The issues discussed include choice of equation, linearization and conservation, differencing schemes, and algorithm development. A number of applications including unsteady three-dimensional rotor calculation, are demonstrated.
Caradonna, F. X.↗
Acoustic Treatment Design Scaling Methods: Numerical Simulation of the Nonlinear Acoustic Impedance of a Perforated Plate Single-Degree-of-Freedom Resonator Using a Time-Domain Finite Difference Method - Volume 4
Single-degree-of-freedom resonators consisting of honeycomb cells covered by perforated facesheets are widely used as acoustic noise suppression liners in aircraft engine ducts. The acoustic resistance and mass reactance of such liners are known to vary with the intensity of the sound incident upon the panel. Since the pressure drop across a perforated liner facesheet increases quadratically with the flow velocity through the facesheet, this is known as the nonlinear resistance effect. In the past, two different empirical frequency domain models have been used to predict the Sound Pressure Level effect of the incident wave on the perforated liner impedance, one that uses the incident particle velocity in isolated narrowbands, and one that models the particle velocity as the overall velocity. In the absence of grazing flow, neither frequency domain model is entirely accurate in predicting the nonlinear effect that is measured for typical perforated sheets. The time domain model is developed in an attempt to understand and improve the model for the effect of spectral shape and amplitude of multi-frequency incident sound pressure on the liner impedance. A computer code for the time-domain finite difference model is developed and predictions using the models are compared to current frequency-domain models.
Kraft, R. E.↗