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At least 91 records · Page 5

Conditions at the downstream boundary for simulations of viscous incompressible flow

The proper specification of boundary conditions at artificial boundaries for the simulation of time-dependent fluid flows has long been a matter of controversy. A general theory of asymptotic boundary conditions for dissipative waves is applied to the design of simple, accurate conditions at downstream boundary for incompressible flows. For Reynolds numbers far enough below the critical value for linear stability, a scaling is introduced which greatly simplifies the construction of the asymptotic conditions. Numerical experiments with the nonlinear dynamics of vortical disturbances to plane Poiseuille flow are presented which illustrate the accuracy of our approach. The consequences of directly applying the scalings to the equations are also considered.

Hagstrom, Thomas↗

High-End Computing for Incompressible Flows

The objective of the First MIT Conference on Computational Fluid and Solid Mechanics (June 12-14, 2001) is to bring together industry and academia (and government) to nurture the next generation in computational mechanics. The objective of the current talk, 'High-End Computing for Incompressible Flows', is to discuss some of the current issues in large scale computing for mission-oriented tasks.

Kwak, Dochan↗

Theoretical investigation of maintaining the boundary layer of revolution laminar using suction slits in incompressible flow

The transition of the laminar boundary layer into the turbulent state, which results in an increased drag, can be avoided by sucking of the boundary layer particles near the wall. The technically-interesting case of sucking the particles using individual slits is investigated for bodies of revolution in incompressible flow. The results of the variational calculations show that there is an optimum suction height, where the slot separations are maximum. Combined with favorable shaping of the body, it is possible to keep the boundary layer over bodies of revolution laminar at high Reynolds numbers using relatively few suction slits and small amounts of suction flow.

Thiede, P.↗

High order parallel numerical schemes for solving incompressible flows

The use of parallel computers for numerically solving flow fields has gained much importance in recent years. This paper introduces a new high order numerical scheme for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) specifically designed for parallel computational environments. A distributed MIMD system gives the flexibility of treating different elements of the governing equations with totally different numerical schemes in different regions of the flow field. The parallel decomposition of the governing operator to be solved is the primary parallel split. The primary parallel split was studied using a hypercube like architecture having clusters of shared memory processors at each node. The approach is demonstrated using examples of simple steady state incompressible flows. Future studies should investigate the secondary split because, depending on the numerical scheme that each of the processors applies and the nature of the flow in the specific subdomain, it may be possible for a processor to seek better, or higher order, schemes for its particular subcase.

Lin, Avi↗

A general panel method for the analysis and design of arbitrary configurations in incompressible flows

A method for solving the linear integral equations of incompressible potential flow in three dimensions is presented. Both analysis (Neumann) and design (Dirichlet) boundary conditions are treated in a unified approach to the general flow problem. The method is an influence coefficient scheme which employs source and doublet panels as boundary surfaces. Curved panels possessing singularity strengths, which vary as polynomials are used, and all influence coefficients are derived in closed form. These and other features combine to produce an efficient scheme which is not only versatile but eminently suited to the practical realities of a user-oriented environment. A wide variety of numerical results demonstrating the method is presented.

Johnson, F. T.↗

Robust vortex methods for three-dimensional incompressible flows

Vortex methods for the numerical simulation of incompressible three-dimensional flows at high Reynolds number are discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on schemes that prevent the excessive generation of mesh elements, include viscous effects, and are relatively inexpensive even as the number of elements becomes large. Several simulations are presented involving the interaction of vortex rings.

Chua, K.↗

Parallel solution of high-order numerical schemes for solving incompressible flows

A new parallel numerical scheme for solving incompressible steady-state flows is presented. The algorithm uses a finite-difference approach to solving the Navier-Stokes equations. The algorithms are scalable and expandable. They may be used with only two processors or with as many processors as are available. The code is general and expandable. Any size grid may be used. Four processors of the NASA LeRC Hypercluster were used to solve for steady-state flow in a driven square cavity. The Hypercluster was configured in a distributed-memory, hypercube-like architecture. By using a 50-by-50 finite-difference solution grid, an efficiency of 74 percent (a speedup of 2.96) was obtained.

Milner, Edward J.↗

Approximate factorization for incompressible flow

For computational solution of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations, the approximate factorization (AF) algorithm is used to solve the vectorized momentum equation in delta form based on the pressure calculated in the previous time step. The newly calculated velocities are substituted into the pressure equation (obtained from a linear combination of the continuity and momentum equation), which is then solved by means of line SOR. Computational results are presented for the NACA 66 sub 3 018 airfoil at Reynolds numbers of 1000 and 40,000 and attack angles of 0 and 6 degrees. Comparison with wind tunnel data for Re = 40,000 indicates good qualitative agreement between measured and calculated pressure distributions. Quantitative agreement is only fair, however, with the calculations somewhat displaced from the measurements. Furthermore, the computed velocity profiles are unrealistically thick around the airfoil, due to the excessive amount of artificial viscosity needed for stability. Based on the performance of the algorithm with regard to stability, it is concluded that AF/SOR is suitable for calculations at Reynolds numbers less than 10,000. Speedwise, the method is faster than point SOR by at least a factor of two.

Bernard, R. S.↗

Higher-Order Compact Schemes for Numerical Simulation of Incompressible Flows

A higher order accurate numerical procedure has been developed for solving incompressible Navier-Stokes equations for 2D or 3D fluid flow problems. It is based on low-storage Runge-Kutta schemes for temporal discretization and fourth and sixth order compact finite-difference schemes for spatial discretization. The particular difficulty of satisfying the divergence-free velocity field required in incompressible fluid flow is resolved by solving a Poisson equation for pressure. It is demonstrated that for consistent global accuracy, it is necessary to employ the same order of accuracy in the discretization of the Poisson equation. Special care is also required to achieve the formal temporal accuracy of the Runge-Kutta schemes. The accuracy of the present procedure is demonstrated by application to several pertinent benchmark problems.

Wilson, Robert V.↗

A three-dimensional incompressible flow simulation method and its application to the Space Shuttle main engine. II Turbulent flow

An implicit finite difference code cast in general curvilinear coordinates is further developed for three-dimensional incompressible turbulent flows. The code is based on the method of pseudocompressibility and utilizes the Beam and Warming implicit approximate factorization algorithm to achieve computational efficiency. A multiple-zone method is further extended to include composite-grids to overcome the excessive computer memory required for solving turbulent flows in complex three-dimensional geometries. A simple turbulence model is proposed for internal flows. The code is being used for the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) internal flow analyses.

Chang, J. L. C.↗

Adjoint operator approach to shape design for internal incompressible flows

The problem of determining the profile of a channel or duct that provides the maximum static pressure rise is solved. Incompressible, laminar flow governed by the steady state Navier-Stokes equations is assumed. Recent advances in computational resources and algorithms have made it possible to solve the direct problem of determining such a flow through a body of known geometry. It is possible to obtain a set of adjoint equations, the solution to which permits the calculation of the direction and relative magnitude of change in the diffuser profile that leads to a higher pressure rise. The solution to the adjoint problem can be shown to represent an artificially constructed flow. This interpretation provides a means to construct numerical solutions to the adjoint equations that do not compromise the fully viscous nature of the problem. The algorithmic and computational aspects of solving the adjoint equations are addressed. The form of these set of equations is similar but not identical to the Navier-Stokes equations. In particular some issues related to boundary conditions and stability are discussed.

Cabuk, H.↗

Reducing numerical diffusion for incompressible flow calculations

A number of approaches for improving the accuracy of incompressible, steady-state flow calculations are examined. Two improved differencing schemes, Quadratic Upstream Interpolation for Convective Kinematics (QUICK) and Skew-Upwind Differencing (SUD), are applied to the convective terms in the Navier-Stokes equations and compared with results obtained using hybrid differencing. In a number of test calculations, it is illustrated that no single scheme exhibits superior performance for all flow situations. However, both SUD and QUICK are shown to be generally more accurate than hybrid differencing.

Claus, R. W.↗

Lift due to thickness for low aspect ratio wings in incompressible flow

The problem under consideration is a numerical study of the effects of thickness on lift for low aspect ratio wings in steady incompressible inviscid flow at moderate angles of attack. At these angles of attack the flow separates along the leading edge giving rise to a lift substantially higher than that computed by classical attached flow potential theory. The problem is treated as a perturbation expansion in a small thickness parameter. The lifting elements of the flow are modeled using a nonlinear vortex lattice method which replaces the leading and trailing edge vortex sheets by segmented straight vortex filaments. The thickness elements of the flow are modeled with a mean plane source distribution and a modification to the wing boundary conditions. Results are obtained for wings with biconvex and NACA 0012 sections which compare well with available experimental data. The important observation that the effect of thickness is to decrease the lift is made.

Dodbele, S. S.↗

Loss of lift due to thickness for low-aspect-ratio wings in incompressible flow

The problem under consideration is a numerical study of the effects of thickness on lift for low-aspect-ratio wings in steady incompressible inviscid flow at moderate angles of attack. At these angles of attack the flow separates along the leading edge giving rise to a lift substantially higher than that computed by classical attached-flow potential theory. The problem is treated as a perturbation expansion in a small thickness parameter. The lifting elements of the flow are modeled using a nonlinear vortex-lattice method which replaces the leading and trailing-edge vortex sheets by segmented straight vortex filaments. The thickness elements of the flow are modeled with a mean-plane source distribution and a modification to the wing boundary conditions. Results are obtained for wings with biconvex and NACA 0012 sections which compare well with available experimental data. The important observation that the effect of thickness is to decrease the lift is made.

Dodbele, S. S.↗

Simplex finite element analysis of viscous incompressible flow with penalty function formulation

Viscous flow calculations are important for the determination of separated flows, recirculating flows, secondary flows and so on. This paper presents a penalty function approach for the finite element analysis of steady incompressible viscous flow. A simplex element is used with linear velocity and constant pressure in contrast to other works which usually employ higher order elements. Simplex elements yield analytical expressions for the element matrices which in turn lead to efficient solutions. Earlier works have partially indicated how constraint and lock-up problems might be avoided for simplex elements. This paper extends the earlier works by indicating the approach in detail and verifying that it is successful for several applications not discussed in the literature so far. Solution times and accuracy considerations are discussed for Couette flow, plane Poiseuille flow, a driven cavity problem, and laminar and turbulent flow over a step.

Allaire, P. E.↗

The numerical solution of the Navier-Stokes equations for 3-dimensional, unsteady, incompressible flows by compact schemes

The present numerical method for the solution of unsteady, incompressible three-dimensional flow Navier-Stokes equations using velocity-vorticity variables and irregular Cartesian grids proceeds by solving: (1) equations of Cauchy-Riemann type for the velocity; and (2) transport-diffusion equations for the vorticity, whose solenoidal vorticity components are generated by a Poisson equation for an appropriate scalar potential. Iterations are used to solve the finite difference equations, facilitating the use of vector and parallel-computing methods; numerical experiments have verified the method's second-order spatial and temporal accuracy.

Gatski, T. B.↗

Challenges and Accomplishments of Viscous Incompressible Flow Computations in Aerospace and Beyond

Recent progress in incompressible Navier-Stokes solution methods will be presented. Discussions are focused on the methods designed for complex geometry applications in three dimensions, and thus are limited to primitive variable formulation. Both steady- and unsteady-solution algorithms and their salient features are discussed. A summary of our recent progress in flow solver development is given followed by numerical studies of a few example problems of our current interest. Solvers discussed here are based on structured-grid approach using finite-difference or finite-volume frame work. This short course will be delivered in three one-our lectures. The material in the course are collected from the work performed by the Incompressible Navier-Stokes group at NASA Ames Research Center over the past several years, and can be found in our publications widely disseminated in the US and abroad. This short course is sponsored by AGARD Consultant and Exchange Program under Support Project P-110.

Kwak, Dochan↗