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At least 1,009 records · Page 56

Assessing the quality of curvilinear coordinate meshes by decomposing the Jacobian matrix

An algebraic decomposition of the Jacobian matrix which relates physical and computational variables is presented. This invertible decomposition parameterizes the mesh by the physically intuitive qualities of cell orientation, cell orthogonality, cell volume, and cell aspect ratio. The decomposition can be used to analyze numerically generated curvilinear coordinate meshes and to assess the contribution of the mesh to the truncation error for any specific differential operator and algorithm. This is worked out in detail for Laplace's equation in nonconservative and conservative forms. The analysis is applied to the solution of the full potential code TAIR, showing grid plots, carpet plots, and truncation error for a NACA 0012 airfoil.

Kerlick, G. D.↗

Adaptive explicit and implicit finite element methods for transient thermal analysis

The application of adaptive finite element methods to the solution of transient heat conduction problems in two dimensions is investigated. The computational domain is represented by an unstructured assembly of linear triangular elements and the mesh adaptation is achieved by local regeneration of the grid, using an error estimation procedure coupled to an automatic triangular mesh generator. Two alternative solution procedures are considered. In the first procedure, the solution is advanced by explicit timestepping, with domain decomposition being used to improve the computational efficiency of the method. In the second procedure, an algorithm for constructing continuous lines which pass only once through each node of the mesh is employed. The lines are used as the basis of a fully implicit method, in which the equation system is solved by line relaxation using a block tridiagonal equation solver. The numerical performance of the two procedures is compared for the analysis of a problem involving a moving heat source applied to a convectively cooled cylindrical leading edge.

Probert, E. J.↗

Boundary element analysis on vector and parallel computers

Boundary element analysis (BEA) can be characterized as a numerical technique that generally shifts the computational burden in the analysis toward numerical integration and the solution of nonsymmetric and either dense or blocked sparse systems of algebraic equations. Researchers have explored the concept that the fundamental characteristics of BEA can be exploited to generate effective implementations on vector and parallel computers. In this paper, the results of some of these investigations are discussed. The performance of overall algorithms for BEA on vector supercomputers, massively data parallel single instruction multiple data (SIMD), and relatively fine grained distributed memory multiple instruction multiple data (MIMD) computer systems is described. Some general trends and conclusions are discussed, along with indications of future developments that may prove fruitful in this regard.

Kane, J. H.↗

Adaptive implicit-explicit finite element algorithms for fluid mechanics problems

The adaptive implicit-explicit (AIE) approach is presented for the finite-element solution of various problems in computational fluid mechanics. In the AIE approach, the elements are dynamically (adaptively) arranged into differently treated groups. The differences in treatment could be based on considerations such as the cost efficiency, the type of spatial or temporal discretization employed, the choice of field equations, etc. Several numerical tests are performed to demonstrate that this approach can achieve substantial savings in CPU time and memory.

Tezduyar, T. E.↗

Numerical orbit integration efficiency of the Delaunay-Similar elements

Orbit equations with a set of conservative and a set of nonconservative perturbing potentials were considered. Scheifele's DS formulation of these equations has dependent variables similar to Delaunay's orbital elements with the true anomaly as the independent variable. Efficiency curves of computing cost v.s. accuracy were constructed for Adams integrators of order of 2 through 15 with several correcting algorithms and for a Runga-Kutta integrator. Considering stability regions, choices were made for the optimally efficient integration modes for the DS elements. Integrating in these modes reduces computing costs for a specified accuracy.

Pierce, S.↗

Forebody and base region real gas flow in severe planetary entry by a factored implicit numerical method. II - Equilibrium reactive gas

The factored-implicit, gas-dynamic algorithm has been adapted to the numerical simulation of equilibrium reactive flows. Changes required in the perfect gas version of the algorithm are developed, and the method of coupling gas-dynamic and chemistry variables is discussed. A flow-field solution that approximates a Jovian entry case was obtained by this method and compared with the same solution obtained by HYVIS, a computer program much used for the study of planetary entry. Comparison of surface pressure distribution and stagnation line shock-layer profiles indicates that the two solutions agree well.

Davy, W. C.↗

New results on the PLL false lock phenomenon

Conditions, based on the multipliers of a linear differential equation with periodic coefficients, for the occurrence of false lock in a phase lock loop (PLL) are presented. Two new and powerful algorithms are presented for computing the frequency difference between the reference and voltage controlled oscillator when the loop is false locked. The first algorithm expresses omega f sup -1 as a power series in the closed loop gain. The second algorithm expresses omega sup -1 as part of a solution to a nonlinear algebraic system of equations which can be solved by numerical methods. The power of both algorithms is illustrated by application and comparison.

Stensby, J. L.↗

Numerical simulations of thermal detection of disbonds in lap joints

A 2D time-dependent FEM heat-transfer algorithm that is unconditionally stable and implicit is presently used to solve for the time-dependence of a structure's temperature. By examining data-reduction techniques in the framework of simulation data, the contrast enhancement afforded by a given technique can be evaluated without regard to experimental error. The present computational simulations demonstrate that the time-derivative technique can clearly delineate the substructure of lap-joint geometries; in addition, histograms of the front surface images are able to quantitatively measure contrast-enhancements for various inspection and data-reduction techniques.

Howell, P. A.↗

Derivative interface conditions for multiblock grids

Methods are developed for computing numerical solutions along block boundaries, even when there is a discontinuity in the grid lines or slopes. The technique is based on matching derivatives and does not require overlapping and interpolation of solution values at block boundaries. The comparison of block boundary values is implicit and has proven to be stable for both implicit and explicit numerical algorithms. Examples are included for the numerical solution of the Euler equations for compressible flow on grids with both grid line discontinuities and discontinuous slopes at block boundaries.

Mastin, C. W.↗

Unsteady turbomachinery flow simulations on massively parallel architectures

The accurate numerical simulation of unsteady, three-dimensional viscous flow in turbomachines is computationally very intensive, requiring prohibitively large amounts of computer time on current vector supercomputers. In recent years, computer systems based on massively parallel architectures have been developed that offer the promise of meeting the computational power requirements of such large-scale simulations. However, a rethinking of existing algorithms and methodology is required in order to fully harness the computational power of such architectures. In this paper the capabilities of the Connection Machine (CM-2) in predicting unsteady flows in turbomachines are evaluated. The implementation on the CM-2 of an implicit, time-accurate, zonal algorithm for the Navier-Stokes equations in two dimensions is described. Programming issues and modifications made to the original algorithm (developed for vector, pipelined supercomputers) in order to improve performance on the CM-2 are outlined. Algorithm performance is evaluated and compared with a functionally equivalent code for the CRAY-YMP.

Madavan, N. K.↗

A block iterative finite element algorithm for numerical solution of the steady-state, compressible Navier-Stokes equations

An iterative method for numerically solving the time independent Navier-Stokes equations for viscous compressible flows is presented. The method is based upon partial application of the Gauss-Seidel principle in block form to the systems of the nonlinear algebraic equations which arise in construction of finite element (Galerkin) models approximating solutions of fluid dynamic problems. The continuous cubic element on triangles is employed for function approximation. Computational results for a free shear flow at Re = 1000 indicate significant achievement of economy in iterative convergence rate over finite element and finite difference models which employ the customary time dependent equations and symptotic time marching procedure to steady solution. Numerical results are in excellent agreement with those obtained for the same test problem employing time marching finite element and finite difference solution techniques.

Cooke, C. H.↗

An interaction algorithm for prediction of mean and fluctuating velocities in two-dimensional aerodynamic wake flows

A theoretical analysis is presented yielding sets of partial differential equations for determination of turbulent aerodynamic flowfields in the vicinity of an airfoil trailing edge. A four phase interaction algorithm is derived to complete the analysis. Following input, the first computational phase is an elementary viscous corrected two dimensional potential flow solution yielding an estimate of the inviscid-flow induced pressure distribution. Phase C involves solution of the turbulent two dimensional boundary layer equations over the trailing edge, with transition to a two dimensional parabolic Navier-Stokes equation system describing the near-wake merging of the upper and lower surface boundary layers. An iteration provides refinement of the potential flow induced pressure coupling to the viscous flow solutions. The final phase is a complete two dimensional Navier-Stokes analysis of the wake flow in the vicinity of a blunt-bases airfoil. A finite element numerical algorithm is presented which is applicable to solution of all partial differential equation sets of inviscid-viscous aerodynamic interaction algorithm. Numerical results are discussed.

Baker, A. J.↗

Direct numerical solution of three-dimensional equations containing elliptic operators.

A direct three-dimensional elliptic solver is presented for application in a wide class of numerical methods for solving partial differential equations in physics and engineering. The derived algorithm and FORTRAN code implement Buzbee, Golub and Nielson's proposed extension of Buneman's Cyclic-Reduction Poisson solver to three dimensions. Both a 'most direct' cyclic reduction and a revised method (to eliminate roundoff error difficulties) are derived. Tests on an IBM 360/67 computer, using various optional combinations of subroutines, showed significant differences in accuracy and computing time, with the optimum subroutine combination depending on mesh size.

Martin, E. D.↗

An O(N squared) method for computing the eigensystem of N by N symmetric tridiagonal matrices by the divide and conquer approach

An efficient method is proposed to solve the eigenproblem of N by N Symmetric Tridiagonal (ST) matrices. Unlike the standard eigensolvers which necessitate O(N cubed) operations to compute the eigenvectors of such ST matrices, the proposed method computes both the eigenvalues and eigenvectors with only O(N squared) operations. The method is based on serial implementation of the recently introduced Divide and Conquer (DC) algorithm. It exploits the fact that by O(N squared) of DC operations, one can compute the eigenvalues of N by N ST matrix and a finite number of pairs of successive rows of its eigenvector matrix. The rest of the eigenvectors--all of them or one at a time--are computed by linear three-term recurrence relations. Numerical examples are presented which demonstrate the superiority of the proposed method by saving an order of magnitude in execution time at the expense of sacrificing a few orders of accuracy.

Gill, Doron↗

Computations of the three-dimensional flow and heat transfer within a coolant passage of a radial turbine blade

A numerical code is developed for computing three-dimensional, turbulent, compressible flow within coolant passages of turbine blades. The code is based on a formulation of the compressible Navier-Stokes equations in a rotating frame of reference in which the velocity dependent variable is specified with respect to the rotating frame instead of the inertial frame. The algorithm employed to obtain solutions to the governing equation is a finite-volume LU algorithm that allows convection, source, as well as diffusion terms to be treated implicitly. In this study, all convection terms are upwind differenced by using flux-vector splitting, and all diffusion terms are centrally differenced. This paper describes the formulation and algorithm employed in the code. Some computed solutions for the flow within a coolant passage of a radial turbine are also presented.

Shih, T. I.-P.↗

Structural Tailoring/Analysis for Hypersonic Components - A computational simulation

The development of STAHYC (Structural Tailoring/Analysis for Hypersonic Components), a numerical tool for the optimum design of an engine inlet wall panel for hypersonic aerospace vehicles, is described. STAHYC integrates FORTRAN modules of different disciplines, including fluid dynamics, heat transfer, structural analysis, and optimization. The discussion covers the system design concept, system components, system automation, system testing, established links, and data transfer between different computational modules. The various algorithms used in STAHYC are also discussed.

Narayanan, G. V.↗

On the spectral stability of time integration algorithms for a class of constrained dynamics problems

Incomplete field formulations have recently been the subject of intense research because of their potential in coupled analysis of independently modeled substructures, adaptive refinement, domain decomposition, and parallel processing. This paper discusses the design and analysis of time-integration algorithms for these formulations and emphasizes the treatment of their inter-subdomain constraint equations. These constraints are shown to introduce a destabilizing effect in the dynamic system that can be analyzed by investigating the behavior of the time-integration algorithm at infinite and zero frequencies. Three different approaches for constructing penalty-free unconditionally stable second-order accurate solution procedures for this class of hybrid formulations are presented, discussed and illustrated with numerical examples. The theoretical results presented in this paper also apply to a large family of nonlinear multibody dynamics formulations. Some of the algorithms outlined herein are important alternatives to the popular technique consisting of transforming differential/algebraic equations into ordinary differential equations via the introduction of a stabilization term that depends on arbitrary constants and that influences the computed so1ution.

Farhat, Charbel↗

Revision of the Atmospheric Delay Correction for ICESat-2 Laser Altimeter Ranges

In 2001 Herring and Quinn proposed the algorithm for correction for atmospheric delay to ICESat-1 GLAS laser altimeter. The purpose of this document is to provide a revision of the algorithm suitable for processing the data from ICESat-2 mission scheduled for launch in 2016. The goal of the revision is to provide a procedure for atmospheric delay correction that would be precise to 1 mm level. The actual accuracy of delay computation will be somewhat less, but it will be limited only by imperfection of the used numerical weather model.

GLAS↗