Grid generation techniques in computational fluid dynamics
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Thompson, J. F.↗
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GRID3D-v2: An updated version of the GRID2D/3D computer program for generating grid systems in complex-shaped three-dimensional spatial domains
In order to generate good quality systems for complicated three-dimensional spatial domains, the grid-generation method used must be able to exert rather precise controls over grid-point distributions. Several techniques are presented that enhance control of grid-point distribution for a class of algebraic grid-generation methods known as the two-, four-, and six-boundary methods. These techniques include variable stretching functions from bilinear interpolation, interpolating functions based on tension splines, and normalized K-factors. The techniques developed in this study were incorporated into a new version of GRID3D called GRID3D-v2. The usefulness of GRID3D-v2 was demonstrated by using it to generate a three-dimensional grid system in the coolent passage of a radial turbine blade with serpentine channels and pin fins.
Steinthorsson, E.↗
Time-Accurate Incompressible Navier-Stokes Computations with Overlapped Moving Grids
MIT flapping foil experiment was used as a validation case to evaluate the current incompressible Navier-Stokes approach with overlapped grid schemes. Steady-state calculations were carried out for overlapped and patched grids. The grid dependency, turbulence model effects, and the effect of order of differencing were investigated. Numerical results were compared against experimental data. The resulting procedure were applied to unsteady flapping foil calculations. Two upstream NACA 0025 foils perform high-frequency synchronized motion and generate unsteady flow conditions to the downstream larger stationary foil. Comparison between unsteady experimental data and numerical results from two different moving boundary procedures will be presented.
Kiris, Cetin↗
Charaterization of Emerging Computing Architectures for Dynamic Simulation of Future Power Grids with Large-Scale Power Electronics
The increasing penetration of power electronics in power grids significantly raises the computing requirements in a real-time (and/or fast) simulation of the power grid. The real-time simulation is an enabler for evaluating controllers, protection systems, new equipment, and twinning. In this paper, emerging computing architectures such as tensor processing units (TPU), neural/neuromorphic processing units (NPU), and quantum processing units (QPU) are introduced and characterized for the real-time (and/or fast) simulation of power electronics-dominated power grids. The metrics and the process to characterize emerging computing architectures to perform real-time (and/or fast) simulations of future power grids with power electronics are discussed. Three of the emerging computing units are characterized based on these metrics and the process developed. This characterization will enable identification and comparison of emerging computing architectures that can perform real-time (and/or fast) simulation of future power grids.
Choi, Jongchan↗
On spurious behavior of CFD simulations
Spurious behavior in underresolved grids and/or semi-implicit temporal discretizations for four computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are studied. The numerical simulations consist of (a) a 1-D chemically relaxed nonequilibrium model, (b) the direct numerical simulation (DNS) of 2-D incompressible flow over a backward facing step, (c) a loosely-coupled approach for a 2-D fluid-structure interaction, and (d) a 3-D compressible unsteady flow simulation of vortex breakdown in delta wings. Using knowledge from dynamical systems theory, various types of spurious behaviors that are numerical artifacts were systematically identified. These studies revealed the various possible dangers of misinterpreting numerical simulation of realistic complex flows that are constrained by the available computing power. In large scale computations underresolved grids, semi-implicit procedures, loosely-coupled implicit procedures, and insufficiently long time integration in DNS are most often unavoidable. Consequently, care must be taken in both computation and in interpretation of the numerical data. The results presented confirm the important role that dynamical systems theory can play in the understanding of the nonlinear behavior of numerical algorithms and in aiding the identification of the sources of numerical uncertainties in CFD.
Numerical Solution↗
The Principle of Energetic Consistency: Application to the Shallow-Water Equations
If the complete state of the earth's atmosphere (e.g., pressure, temperature, winds and humidity, everywhere throughout the atmosphere) were known at any particular initial time, then solving the equations that govern the dynamical behavior of the atmosphere would give the complete state at all subsequent times. Part of the difficulty of weather prediction is that the governing equations can only be solved approximately, which is what weather prediction models do. But weather forecasts would still be far from perfect even if the equations could be solved exactly, because the atmospheric state is not and cannot be known completely at any initial forecast time. Rather, the initial state for a weather forecast can only be estimated from incomplete observations taken near the initial time, through a process known as data assimilation. Weather prediction models carry out their computations on a grid of points covering the earth's atmosphere. The formulation of these models is guided by a mathematical convergence theory which guarantees that, given the exact initial state, the model solution approaches the exact solution of the governing equations as the computational grid is made more fine. For the data assimilation process, however, there does not yet exist a convergence theory. This book chapter represents an effort to begin establishing a convergence theory for data assimilation methods. The main result, which is called the principle of energetic consistency, provides a necessary condition that a convergent method must satisfy. Current methods violate this principle, as shown in earlier work of the author, and therefore are not convergent. The principle is illustrated by showing how to apply it as a simple test of convergence for proposed methods.
Cohn, Stephen E.↗
Dynamic grid refinement for partial differential equations on parallel computers
The fast adaptive composite grid method (FAC) is an algorithm that uses various levels of uniform grids to provide adaptive resolution and fast solution of PDEs. An asynchronous version of FAC, called AFAC, that completely eliminates the bottleneck to parallelism is presented. This paper describes the advantage that this algorithm has in adaptive refinement for moving singularities on multiprocessor computers. This work is applicable to the parallel solution of two- and three-dimensional shock tracking problems.
Mccormick, S.↗
Investigation of Advanced Counterrotation Blade Configuration Concepts for High Speed Turboprop Systems. Task 3: Advanced Fan Section Grid Generator Final Report and Computer Program User's Manual
A procedure is studied for generating three-dimensional grids for advanced turbofan engine fan section geometries. The procedure constructs a discrete mesh about engine sections containing the fan stage, an arbitrary number of axisymmetric radial flow splitters, a booster stage, and a bifurcated core/bypass flow duct with guide vanes. The mesh is an h-type grid system, the points being distributed with a transfinite interpolation scheme with axial and radial spacing being user specified. Elliptic smoothing of the grid in the meridional plane is a post-process option. The grid generation scheme is consistent with aerodynamic analyses utilizing the average-passage equation system developed by Dr. John Adamczyk of NASA Lewis. This flow solution scheme requires a series of blade specific grids each having a common axisymmetric mesh, but varying in the circumferential direction according to the geometry of the specific blade row.
Crook, Andrew J.↗
Thermal Protection System Cavity Heating for Simplified and Actual Geometries Using Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulations with Unstructured Grids
Thermal Protection System (TPS) Cavity Heating is predicted using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) on unstructured grids for both simplified cavities and actual cavity geometries. Validation was performed using comparisons to wind tunnel experimental results and CFD predictions using structured grids. Full-scale predictions were made for simplified and actual geometry configurations on the Space Shuttle Orbiter in a mission support timeframe.
McCloud, Peter L.↗
SmaggIce User Guide
SmaggIce (Surface Modeling And Grid Generation for Iced Airfoils) is one of NASNs aircraft icing research codes developed at the Glenn Research Center. It is a software toolkit used in the process of aerodynamic performance prediction of iced airfoils. It includes tools which complement the 2D grid-based Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) process: geometry probing; surface preparation for gridding: smoothing and re-discretization of geometry. Future releases will also include support for all aspects of gridding: domain decomposition; perimeter discretization; grid generation and modification.
Baez, Marivell↗
Smagglce: Surface Modeling and Grid Generation for Iced Airfoils: Phase 1 Results
SmaggIce (Surface Modeling and Grid Generation for Iced Airfoils) is a software toolkit used in the process of aerodynamic performance prediction of iced airfoils with grid-based Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). It includes tools for data probing, boundary smoothing, domain decomposition, and structured grid generation and refinement. SmaggIce provides the underlying computations to perform these functions, a GUI (Graphical User Interface) to control and interact with those functions, and graphical displays of results, it is being developed at NASA Glenn Research Center. This paper discusses the overall design of SmaggIce as well as what has been implemented in Phase 1. Phase 1 results provide two types of software tools: interactive ice shape probing and interactive ice shape control. The ice shape probing tools will provide aircraft icing engineers and scientists with an interactive means to measure the physical characteristics of ice shapes. On the other hand, the ice shape control features of SmaggIce will allow engineers to examine input geometry data, correct or modify any deficiencies in the geometry, and perform controlled systematic smoothing to a level that will make the CFD process manageable.
Vickerman, Mary B.↗
Thrust chamber performance using Navier-Stokes solution
The viscous, axisymmetric flow in the thrust chamber of the space shuttle main engine (SSME) was computed on the CRAY 205 computer using the general interpolants method (GIM) code. Results show that the Navier-Stokes codes can be used for these flows to study trends and viscous effects as well as determine flow patterns; but further research and development is needed before they can be used as production tools for nozzle performance calculations. The GIM formulation, numerical scheme, and computer code are described. The actual SSME nozzle computation showing grid points, flow contours, and flow parameter plots is discussed. The computer system and run times/costs are detailed.
Chan, J. S.↗
Revisiting Topographic Horizons in the Era of Big Data and Parallel Computing
Widely used to calculate illumination geometry forestimates of solar and emitted longwave radiation, and forcorrecting remotely sensed data for topographic effects, digitalelevation models (DEMs) are now extensive globally at 10–30-mspatial resolution and locally at spatial resolutions down to afew centimeters. Globally, regionally, or locally, elevation datasetshave many grid points. Many software packages calculate gradi-ents over every grid cell or point, but in the mountains, shadingby nearby terrain must also be assessed. Terrain may obscure aslope that would otherwise face the Sun. Four decadesago, a fastmethod to calculate topographic horizons at every point in anelevation grid required computations related only linearly to thesize of the grid, but grids now have so many points that parallelcomputing still provides an advantage. Exploiting parallelismover terrain grids can use alternative strategies: among columnsof a rotated grid, or simultaneously at multiple rotation angles,or on different tiles of a grid. On a multi-processor machine, theimprovement in computing time approaches 2/3 the number ofprocessors deployed,
Jeff Dozier↗
Early Exploration of a Flexible Framework for Efficient Quantum Linear Solvers in Power Systems
The rapid integration of renewable energy resources presents formidable challenges in managing power grids. While advanced computing and machine learning techniques offer some solutions for accelerating grid modeling and simulation, there remain complex problems that classical computers cannot effectively address. Quantum computing, a promising technology, has the potential to fundamentally transform how we manage power systems, especially in scenarios with a higher proportion of renewable energy sources. One critical aspect is solving linear systems of equations, crucial for power system applications like power flow analysis, for which the Harrow-Hassidim-Lloyd (HHL) algorithm is a well-known quantum solution. However, HHL quantum circuits often exhibit excessive depth, making them impractical for current Noisy-Intermediate-Scale-Quantum (NISQ) devices. In this paper, we introduce a versatile framework, powered by NWQSim, that bridges the gap between power system applications and quantum linear solvers available in Qiskit. This framework empowers researchers to efficiently explore power system applications using quantum linear solvers. Through innovative gate fusion strategies, reduced circuit depth, and GPU acceleration, our simulator significantly enhances resource efficiency. Power flow case studies have demonstrated up to a eight-fold speedup compared to Qiskit Aer, all while maintaining comparable levels of accuracy.
quantum computing, Harrow-Hassidim-Lloyd, high-per↗
Interactive grid generation program for CAP-TSD
A grid generation program for use with the CAP-TSD transonic small disturbance code is described. The program runs interactively in FORTRAN on the Sun Workstation. A fifth-degree polynomial is used to map the grid index onto the computational coordinate. The grid is plotted to aid in the assessment of its quality and may be saved on file in NAMELIST format.
Bland, Samuel R.↗
Integrated geometry and grid generation system for complex configurations
A grid generation system was developed that enables grid generation for complex configurations. The system called ICEM/CFD is described and its role in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) applications is presented. The capabilities of the system include full computer aided design (CAD), grid generation on the actual CAD geometry definition using robust surface projection algorithms, interfacing easily with known CAD packages through common file formats for geometry transfer, grid quality evaluation of the volume grid, coupling boundary condition set-up for block faces with grid topology generation, multi-block grid generation with or without point continuity and block to block interface requirement, and generating grid files directly compatible with known flow solvers. The interactive and integrated approach to the problem of computational grid generation not only substantially reduces manpower time but also increases the flexibility of later grid modifications and enhancements which is required in an environment where CFD is integrated into a product design cycle.
Akdag, Vedat↗
Accelerating computing for the future electric grid (CRADA Final Report)
As a participant in the Cyclotron Road Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program (LEEP), Vellex Computing, Inc. has successfully validated the "Vellex Computing Stack," a breakthrough Analog Neural Computer (ANC) specifically designed for high-performance edge optimization. This project achieved critical milestones in mixed-signal circuit stability and software-hardware co-design, directly addressing national priorities in semiconductor resiliency. The success of this work is deeply rooted in the support from the Cyclotron Road LEEP, which provided the essential "hard tech" runway—funding, mentorship, and access to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s world-class characterization facilities—allowing Vellex to overcome the "Valley of Death" often faced by deep-tech hardware startups. By leveraging LBNL’s advanced testing infrastructure, Vellex was able to rigorously benchmark the ANC architecture against state-of-the-art digital solutions, a feat that would have been resource-prohibitive independently. This collaboration has not only advanced American leadership in analog computing but has also matured Vellex’s technology to a stage ripe for private sector commercialization.
24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
A Latency-Tolerant Partitioner for Distributed Computing on the Information Power Grid
NASA's Information Power Grid (IPG) is an infrastructure designed to harness the power of graphically distributed computers, databases, and human expertise, in order to solve large-scale realistic computational problems. This type of a meta-computing environment is necessary to present a unified virtual machine to application developers that hides the intricacies of a highly heterogeneous environment and yet maintains adequate security. In this paper, we present a novel partitioning scheme. called MinEX, that dynamically balances processor workloads while minimizing data movement and runtime communication, for applications that are executed in a parallel distributed fashion on the IPG. We also analyze the conditions that are required for the IPG to be an effective tool for such distributed computations. Our results show that MinEX is a viable load balancer provided the nodes of the IPG are connected by a high-speed asynchronous interconnection network.
Das, Sajal K.↗