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At least 73 records · Page 4

Generation of large-scale density fluctuations by buoyancy

The generation of fluid motion from a state of rest by buoyancy forces acting on a homogeneous isotropic small-scale density field is considered. Nonlinear interactions between the generated fluid motion and the initial isotropic small-scale density field are found to create an anisotropic large-scale density field with spectrum proportional to kappa(exp 4). This large-scale density field is observed to result in an increasing Reynolds number of the fluid turbulence in its final period of decay.

Chasnov, J. R.↗

Spinning fluids in general relativity

General relativity field equations are employed to examine a continuous medium with internal spin. A variational principle formerly applied in the special relativity case is extended to the general relativity case, using a tetrad to express the spin density and the four-velocity of the fluid. An energy-momentum tensor is subsequently defined for a spinning fluid. The equations of motion of the fluid are suggested to be useful in analytical studies of galaxies, for anisotropic Bianchi universes, and for turbulent eddies.

Ray, J. R.↗

Torsion as a source of expansion in a Bianchi type-I universe in the self-consistent Einstein-Cartan theory of a perfect fluid with spin density

It is shown that a generalized (or 'power law') inflationary phase arises naturally and inevitably in a simple (Bianchi type-I) anisotropic cosmological model in the self-consistent Einstein-Cartan gravitation theory with the improved stress-energy-momentum tensor with the spin density of Ray and Smalley (1982, 1983). This is made explicit by an analytical solution of the field equations of motion of the fluid variables. The inflation is caused by the angular kinetic energy density due to spin. The model further elucidates the relationship between fluid vorticity, the angular velocity of the inertially dragged tetrads, and the precession of the principal axes of the shear ellipsoid. Shear is not effective in damping the inflation.

Bradas, James C.↗

Anisotropic Developments for Homogeneous Shear Flows

The general decomposition of the spectral correlation tensor R(sub ij)(k) by Cambon et al. (J. Fluid Mech., 202, 295; J. Fluid Mech., 337, 303) into directional and polarization components is applied to the representation of R(sub ij)(k) by spherically averaged quantities. The decomposition splits the deviatoric part H(sub ij)(k) of the spherical average of R(sub ij)(k) into directional and polarization components H(sub ij)(sup e)(k) and H(sub ij)(sup z)(k). A self-consistent representation of the spectral tensor in the limit of weak anisotropy is constructed in terms of these spherically averaged quantities. The directional polarization components must be treated independently: models that attempt the same representation of the spectral tensor using the spherical average H(sub ij)(k) alone prove to be inconsistent with Navier-Stokes dynamics. In particular, a spectral tensor consistent with a prescribed Reynolds stress is not unique. The degree of anisotropy permitted by this theory is restricted by realizability requirements. Since these requirements will be less severe in a more accurate theory, a preliminary account is given of how to generalize the formalism of spherical averages to higher expansion of the spectral tensor. Directionality is described by a conventional expansion in spherical harmonics, but polarization requires an expansion in tensorial spherical harmonics generated by irreducible representations of the spatial rotation group SO(exp 3). These expansions are considered in more detail in the special case of axial symmetry.

Cambon, Claude↗

Nearfield Anisotropic Mesh Adaptivity for the Third AIAA Sonic Boom Workshop

The Third AIAA Sonic Boom Workshop provides a unique opportunity to verify nearfield Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools. The workshop gathered nearfield CFD pressures from families of Mach-aligned, manually-tailored meshes on the C608 Low Boom Flight Test Demonstrator and the shock-plume interaction wind tunnel model. Here two classical adaptive strategies, multiscale and goal-oriented, are compared to the results obtained on tailored grids. The multiscale strategy is implemented independently in two separate toolsets. Details of the adapted mesh density are shown that resolve the complex interaction of boundary layers, shocks, expansions, and vortical structures. Mesh convergence of nearfield pressure signatures and their integral is shown. These detailed comparisons between adapted and manually-tailored meshes and independent implementations of mesh adaptation demonstrate the readiness of these methods for controlling the discretization error of nearfield sonic boom predication.

Julien Vanharen↗

Further Improvement in 3DGRAPE

3DGRAPE/AL:V2 denotes version 2 of the Three-Dimensional Grids About Anything by Poisson's Equation with Upgrades from Ames and Langley computer program. The preceding version, 3DGRAPE/AL, was described in Improved 3DGRAPE (ARC-14069) NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 21, No. 5 (May 1997), page 66. These programs are so named because they generate volume grids by iteratively solving Poisson's Equation in three dimensions. The grids generated by the various versions of 3DGRAPE have been used in computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The main novel feature of 3DGRAPE/AL:V2 is the incorporation of an optional scheme in which anisotropic Lagrange-based trans-finite interpolation (ALBTFI) is coupled with exponential decay functions to compute and blend interior source terms. In the input to 3DGRAPE/AL:V2 the user can specify whether or not to invoke ALBTFI in combination with exponential-decay controls, angles, and cell size for controlling the character of grid lines. Of the known programs that solve elliptic partial differential equations for generating grids, 3DGRAPE/AL:V2 is the only code that offers a combination of speed and versatility with most options for controlling the densities and other characteristics of grids for CFD.

Alter, Stephen↗

A Parallel Multigrid Solver for Viscous Flows on Anisotropic Structured Grids

This paper presents an efficient parallel multigrid solver for speeding up the computation of a 3-D model that treats the flow of a viscous fluid over a flat plate. The main interest of this simulation lies in exhibiting some basic difficulties that prevent optimal multigrid efficiencies from being achieved. As the computing platform, we have used Coral, a Beowulf-class system based on Intel Pentium processors and equipped with GigaNet cLAN and switched Fast Ethernet networks. Our study not only examines the scalability of the solver but also includes a performance evaluation of Coral where the investigated solver has been used to compare several of its design choices, namely, the interconnection network (GigaNet versus switched Fast-Ethernet) and the node configuration (dual nodes versus single nodes). As a reference, the performance results have been compared with those obtained with the NAS-MG benchmark.

Prieto, Manuel↗

Homogeneous quantum electrodynamic turbulence

The electromagnetic field equations and Dirac equations for oppositely charged wave functions are numerically time-integrated using a spatial Fourier method. The numerical approach used, a spectral transform technique, is based on a continuum representation of physical space. The coupled classical field equations contain a dimensionless parameter which sets the strength of the nonlinear interaction (as the parameter increases, interaction volume decreases). For a parameter value of unity, highly nonlinear behavior in the time-evolution of an individual wave function, analogous to ideal fluid turbulence, is observed. In the truncated Fourier representation which is numerically implemented here, the quantum turbulence is homogeneous but anisotropic and manifests itself in the nonlinear evolution of equilibrium modal spatial spectra for the probability density of each particle and also for the electromagnetic energy density. The results show that nonlinearly interacting fermionic wave functions quickly approach a multi-mode, dynamic equilibrium state, and that this state can be determined by numerical means.

Shebalin, John V.↗

Unstructured mesh generation and adaptivity

An overview of current unstructured mesh generation and adaptivity techniques is given. Basic building blocks taken from the field of computational geometry are first described. Various practical mesh generation techniques based on these algorithms are then constructed and illustrated with examples. Issues of adaptive meshing and stretched mesh generation for anisotropic problems are treated in subsequent sections. The presentation is organized in an education manner, for readers familiar with computational fluid dynamics, wishing to learn more about current unstructured mesh techniques.

Mavriplis, D. J.↗

Sketch-to-Solution: A Case Study in RCS Aerodynamic Interaction

Thanks to recent advances in the fields of anisotropic grid adaptation, error estimation, and geometry modeling, a sketch-to-solution work flow is now possible for viscous computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations. With this workflow, a CFD application engineer provides geometry, boundary conditions, and flow parameters; and the sketch-to-solution process yields a CFD simulation through automatic, error-based, grid adaptation. To explore the benefits of this nascent capability, a conventional manual grid generation work flow is compared to this new automatic grid generation work flow for a given engineering question: What are the aerodynamic interactions caused by the reaction control system (RCS) on an entry vehicle? This case study indicates that while the automatic grid generation sketch-to- solution process is not yet mature, it is preferred over a manual grid generation work flow because it greatly reduces manual labor, eliminates many opportunities for human error, and provides grid sensitivity information.

Bill Kleb↗

Density fluctuations in the interstellar medium: Evidence for anisotropic magnetogasdynamic turbulence. I - Model and astrophysical sites

A self-consistent theoretical model of turbulent fluctuations in a compressible electrically conducting gas is developed in order to quantitatively study a turbulent fluid origin for the small spiral scale density fluctuations observed by Armstrong et al. (1981). A heuristic description of turbulent flows in compressible fluids is offered as an analogy for the small-scale turbulent velocity and magnetic field variations which derive density variations in the presence of a strong local magnetic field.

Higdon, J. C.↗

Validation of Accurate Cryogenic Fluid Vapor-Liquid Boundary Conditions Via Molecular Simulations

Vapor-liquid interfaces drive many important phenomena in cryogenic fluid management, including heat transfer, evaporation, and capillary flow. Design of cryogenic fluid systems, such as propellant storage, requires accurate predictions of fluid behavior, including evaporation rates. Many models have been proposed for heat and mass transfer at vapor liquid interfaces, but the accuracy of these models in the context of cryogenic fluids has not been performed. We use molecular dynamics simulations, which allow for nanometer scale resolution of fluid phenomena, to evaluate the accuracy of a variety of vapor-liquid boundary conditions at evaporating and condensing interfaces. We find that an anisotropic temperature distribution is a critical ingredient for accurate prediction of intensive evaporation and condensation.

Daniel Vigil↗

The generation of gravitational radiation by escaping supernova neutrinos

Formulae for the gravitational radiation due to the anisotropic axisymmetric emission of neutrinos from a small source are derived. We find that a burst of neutrinos released anisotropically from a supernova will generate a burst of gravitational radiation that may be comparable in amplitude and energy to the gravitational radiation generated by the fluid motion in the collapse of the supernova core.

Epstein, R.↗

Tetrahedral and Hexahedral Mesh Adaptation for CFD Problems

This paper presents two unstructured mesh adaptation schemes for problems in computational fluid dynamics. The procedures allow localized grid refinement and coarsening to efficiently capture aerodynamic flow features of interest. The first procedure is for purely tetrahedral grids; unfortunately, repeated anisotropic adaptation may significantly deteriorate the quality of the mesh. Hexahedral elements, on the other hand, can be subdivided anisotropically without mesh quality problems. Furthermore, hexahedral meshes yield more accurate solutions than their tetrahedral counterparts for the same number of edges. Both the tetrahedral and hexahedral mesh adaptation procedures use edge-based data structures that facilitate efficient subdivision by allowing individual edges to be marked for refinement or coarsening. However, for hexahedral adaptation, pyramids, prisms, and tetrahedra are used as buffer elements between refined and unrefined regions to eliminate hanging vertices. Computational results indicate that the hexahedral adaptation procedure is a viable alternative to adaptive tetrahedral schemes.

Biswas, Rupak↗

Hydrodynamical constraints on cosmic-ray acceleration in relativistic shocks

A two-fluid hydrodynamical model governing the transport of cosmic rays in a relativistically moving background plasma is developed. The equations are used to discuss the time asymptotic structure of a relativistic, plane-parallel shock wave significantly modified by first-order Fermi acceleration of cosmic rays. The model allows for an anisotropic cosmic-ray pressure tensor with pressure components parallel and perpendicular to the shock normal. It is surmised that the well-known energy threshold problem for diffusive shock acceleration that downstream particles have a large enough velocity to overtake the shock and subsequently scatter in the upstream medium before returning to the downstream medium may be expressed hydrodynamically by the condition V less than V(cr), where V is the fluid velocity relative to the shock and V(cr) is the relativistic cosmic-ray sound speed. Astrophysical implications of the results are briefly discussed.

Webb, G. M.↗

Major disruptions, inverse cascades, and the Strauss equations

Current-carrying plasmas in a strong d.c. magnetic field are subject to violent disruptions above certain thresholds. At present difficult to verify, explanations are typically sought in terms of 'tearing modes'. An alternative explanation is in terms of inverse magnetic helicity cascades, generated from a variety of possible sources of small-scale MHD turbulence. Strongly anisotropic MHD plasmas may be described by the Strauss equations. Indications of turbulent inverse cascade behavior for the Strauss equations are sought, in parallel with earlier examples from MHD and fluid mechanics.

Montgomery, D.↗

Inevitable inflation in Einstein-Cartan theory with improved energy-momentum tensor with spin

Generalized, or power-law, inflation is shown to necessarily exist for a simple, anisotropic, (Bianchi Type-1) cosmology in the Einstein-Cartan gravitational theory with the Ray-Smalley improved energy momentum tensor with spin. Formal solution of the EC field equations with the fluid equations of motion explicitly shows inflation caused by the RS spin angular kinetic energy density. Shear is not effective in preventing inflation in the ECRS model. The relation between fluid vorticity, torsion, reference axis rotation, and shear ellipsoid precession shows through clearly.

Fennelly, A. J.↗

Inflation in Einstein-Cartan theory with energy-momentum tensor with spin

Generalized, or power-law, inflation is shown to necessarily exist for a simple, anisotropic (Bianchi Type I) cosmology in the Einstein-Cartan gravitational theory with the Ray-Smalley (RS) improved energy-momentum tensor with spin. Formal solution of the EC field equations with the fluid equations of motion explicitly shows inflation caused by the RS spin angular kinetic energy density.

Fennelly, A. J.↗