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At least 973 records · Page 54

Well-Balanced, Conservative Finite Difference Algorithm for Atmospheric Flows

The numerical simulation of meso-, convective-, and microscale atmospheric flows requires the solution of the Euler or the Navier-Stokes equations. Nonhydrostatic weather prediction algorithms often solve the equations in terms of derived quantities such as Exner pressure and potential temperature (and are thus not conservative) and/or as perturbations to the hydrostatically balanced equilibrium state. This paper presents a well-balanced, conservative finite difference formulation for the Euler equations with a gravitational source term, where the governing equations are solved as conservation laws for mass, momentum, and energy. Preservation of the hydrostatic balance to machine precision by the discretized equations is essential because atmospheric phenomena are often small perturbations to this balance. The proposed algorithm uses the weighted essentially nonoscillatory and compact-reconstruction weighted essentially nonoscillatory schemes for spatial discretization that yields high-order accurate solutions for smooth flows and is essentially nonoscillatory across strong gradients; however, the well-balanced formulation may be used with other conservative finite difference methods. The performance of the algorithm is demonstrated on test problems as well as benchmark atmospheric flow problems, and the results are verified with those in the literature.

Ghosh, Debojyoti↗

Ideas and perspectives: how coupled is the vegetation to the boundary layer?

Understanding the sensitivity of transpiration to stomatal conductance is critical to simulating the water cycle. This sensitivity is a function of the degree of coupling between the vegetation and the atmosphere and is commonly expressed by the decoupling factor. The degree of coupling assumed by models varies considerably and has previously been shown to be a major cause of model disagreement when simulating changes in transpiration in response to elevated CO 2 . The degree of coupling also offers us insight into how different vegetation types control transpiration fluxes, which is fundamental to our understanding of land–atmosphere interactions. To explore this issue, we combined an extensive literature summary from 41 studies with estimates of the decoupling coefficient estimated from FLUXNET data. We found some notable departures from the values previously reported in single-site studies. There was large variability in estimated decoupling coefficients (range 0.05–0.51) for evergreen needleleaf forests. This is a result that was broadly supported by our literature review but contrasts with the early literature which suggests that evergreen needleleaf forests are generally well coupled. Estimates from FLUXNET indicated that evergreen broadleaved forests were the most tightly coupled, differing from our literature review and instead suggesting that it was evergreen needleleaf forests. We also found that the assumption that grasses would be strongly decoupled (due to vegetation stature) was only true for high precipitation sites. These results were robust to assumptions about aerodynamic conductance and, to a lesser extent, energy balance closure. Hence, these data form a benchmarking metric against which to test model assumptions about coupling. Our results identify a clear need to improve the quantification of the processes involved in scaling from the leaf to the whole ecosystem. Progress could be made with targeted measurement campaigns at flux sites and greater site characteristic information across the FLUXNET network.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

SERGHEI (SERGHEI-SWE) v1.0: a performance-portable high-performance parallel-computing shallow-water solver for hydrology and environmental hydraulics

The Simulation EnviRonment for Geomorphology, Hydrodynamics, and Ecohydrology in Integrated form (SERGHEI) is a multi-dimensional, multi-domain, and multi-physics model framework for environmental and landscape simulation, designed with an outlook towards Earth system modelling. At the core of SERGHEI's innovation is its performance-portable high-performance parallel-computing (HPC) implementation, built from scratch on the Kokkos portability layer, allowing SERGHEI to be deployed, in a performance-portable fashion, in graphics processing unit (GPU)-based heterogeneous systems. In this work, we explore combinations of MPI and Kokkos using OpenMP and CUDA backends. In this contribution, we introduce the SERGHEI model framework and present with detail its first operational module for solving shallow-water equations (SERGHEI-SWE) and its HPC implementation. This module is designed to be applicable to hydrological and environmental problems including flooding and runoff generation, with an outlook towards Earth system modelling. Its applicability is demonstrated by testing several well-known benchmarks and large-scale problems, for which SERGHEI-SWE achieves excellent results for the different types of shallow-water problems. Finally, SERGHEI-SWE scalability and performance portability is demonstrated and evaluated on several TOP500 HPC systems, with very good scaling in the range of over 20 000 CPUs and up to 256 state-of-the art GPUs.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Multi-species collisions for delta-f gyrokinetic simulations: Implementation and verification with GENE

A multi-species linearized collision operator based on the model developed by Sugama et al. has been implemented in the nonlinear gyrokinetic code, GENE. Such a model conserves particles, momentum, and energy to machine precision, and is shown to have negative definite free energy dissipation characteristics, satisfying Boltzmann’s H-theorem, including for realistic mass ratio. Finite Larmor Radius (FLR) effects have also been implemented into the local version of the code. For the global version of the code, the collision operator has been developed to allow for block-structured velocity space grids, allowing for computationally tractable collisional global simulations. The validity of the collision operator has been demonstrated by relaxation and conservation tests, as well as appropriate benchmarks. The newly implemented operator shall be used in future simulations to study magnetically confined fusion plasma turbulence and transport in more extreme regions with higher collisionality.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Direct simulation Monte Carlo analysis on parallel processors

A method is presented for executing a direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) analysis using parallel processing. The method is based on using domain decomposition to distribute the work load among multiple processors, and the DSMC analysis is performed completely in parallel. Message passing is used to transfer molecules between processors and to provide the synchronization necessary for the correct physical simulation. Benchmark problems are described for testing the method and results are presented which demonstrate the performance on two commercially available multicomputers. The results show that reasonable parallel speedup and efficiency can be obtained if the problem is properly sized to the number of processors. It is projected that with a massively parallel system, performance exceeding that of current supercomputers is possible.

Wilmoth, Richard G.↗

Investigation of cloud/water vapor motion winds from geostationary satellite

This report summarizes the research work accomplished on the NASA grant contract NAG8-892 during 1992. Research goals of this contract are the following: to complete upgrades to the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) wind system procedures for assigning heights and incorporating first guess information; to evaluate these modifications using simulated tracer fields; to add an automated quality control system to minimize the need for manual editing, while maintaining product quality; and to benchmark the upgraded algorithm in tests with NMC and/or MSFC. Work progressed on all these tasks and is detailed. This work was done in collaboration with CIMSS NOAA/NESDIS scientists working on the operational winds software, so that NASA funded research can benefit NESDIS operational algorithms.

Source record↗

Global dynamic modeling of a transmission system

The work performed on global dynamic simulation and noise correlation of gear transmission systems at the University of Akron is outlined. The objective is to develop a comprehensive procedure to simulate the dynamics of the gear transmission system coupled with the effects of gear box vibrations. The developed numerical model is benchmarked with results from experimental tests at NASA Lewis Research Center. The modal synthesis approach is used to develop the global transient vibration analysis procedure used in the model. Modal dynamic characteristics of the rotor-gear-bearing system are calculated by the matrix transfer method while those of the gear box are evaluated by the finite element method (NASTRAN). A three-dimensional, axial-lateral coupled bearing model is used to couple the rotor vibrations with the gear box motion. The vibrations between the individual rotor systems are coupled through the nonlinear gear mesh interactions. The global equations of motion are solved in modal coordinates and the transient vibration of the system is evaluated by a variable time-stepping integration scheme. The relationship between housing vibration and resulting noise of the gear transmission system is generated by linear transfer functions using experimental data. A nonlinear relationship of the noise components to the fundamental mesh frequency is developed using the hypercoherence function. The numerically simulated vibrations and predicted noise of the gear transmission system are compared with the experimental results from the gear noise test rig at NASA Lewis Research Center. Results of the comparison indicate that the global dynamic model developed can accurately simulate the dynamics of a gear transmission system.

Choy, F. K.↗

Latex samples for RAMSES electrophoresis experiment on IML 2

The objectives of these reported studies were to provide ground based support services for the flight experiment team for the RAMSES experiment to be flown aboard IML-2. The specific areas of support included consultation on the performance of particle based electrophoresis studies, development of methods for the preparation of suitable samples for the flight hardware, the screening of particles to obtain suitable candidates for the flight experiment, and the electrophoretic characterization of sample particle preparations. The first phases of these studies were performed under this contract, while the follow on work was performed under grant number NAG8 1081, 'Preparation and Characterization of Latex Samples for RAMSES Experiment on IML 2.' During this first phase of the experiment the following benchmarks were achieved: Methods were tested for the concentration and resuspension of latex samples in the greater than 0.4 micron diameter range to provide moderately high solids content samples free of particle aggregation which interferred with the normal functioning of the RAMSES hardware. Various candidate latex preparations were screened and two candidate types of latex were identified for use in the flight experiments, carboxylate modified latex (CML) and acrylic acid-acrylamide modified latex (AAM). These latexes have relatively hydrophilic surfaces, are not prone to aggregate, and display sufficiently low electrophoretic mobilities in the flight buffer so that they can be used to make mixtures to test the resolving power of the flight hardware.

Seaman, Geoffrey V. F.↗

Liquid propellant rocket engine combustion simulation with a time-accurate CFD method

Time-accurate computational fluid dynamics (CFD) algorithms are among the basic requirements as an engineering or research tool for realistic simulations of transient combustion phenomena, such as combustion instability, transient start-up, etc., inside the rocket engine combustion chamber. A time-accurate pressure based method is employed in the FDNS code for combustion model development. This is in connection with other program development activities such as spray combustion model development and efficient finite-rate chemistry solution method implementation. In the present study, a second-order time-accurate time-marching scheme is employed. For better spatial resolutions near discontinuities (e.g., shocks, contact discontinuities), a 3rd-order accurate TVD scheme for modeling the convection terms is implemented in the FDNS code. Necessary modification to the predictor/multi-corrector solution algorithm in order to maintain time-accurate wave propagation is also investigated. Benchmark 1-D and multidimensional test cases, which include the classical shock tube wave propagation problems, resonant pipe test case, unsteady flow development of a blast tube test case, and H2/O2 rocket engine chamber combustion start-up transient simulation, etc., are investigated to validate and demonstrate the accuracy and robustness of the present numerical scheme and solution algorithm.

Chen, Y. S.↗

Overview of the Testing of a Small-Scale Proprotor

This paper presents an overview of results from the wind tunnel test of a 1/4-scale V-22 proprotor in the Duits-Nederlandse Windtunnel (DNW) in The Netherlands. The small-scale proprotor was tested on the isolated rotor configuration of the Tilt Rotor Aeroacoustic Model (TRAM). The test was conducted by a joint team from NASA Ames, NASA Langley, U.S. Army Aeroflightdynamics Directorate, and The Boeing Company. The objective of the test was to acquire a benchmark database for validating aeroacoustic analyses. Representative examples of airloads, acoustics, structural loads, and performance data are provided and discussed.

Young, Larry A.↗

Spaceflight Validation of Hzetrn Code

HZETRN is being developed as a fast deterministic radiation transport code applicable to neutrons, protons, and multiply charged ions in the space environment. It was recently applied to 50 hours of IMP8 data measured during the August 4, 1972 solar event to map the hourly exposures within the human body under several shield configurations. This calculation required only 18 hours on a VAX 4000 machine. A similar calculation using the Monte Carlo method would have required two years of dedicated computer time. The code has been benchmarked against well documented and tested Monte Carlo proton transport codes with good success. The code will allow important trade studies to be made with relative ease due to the computational speed and will be useful in assessing design alternatives in an integrated system software environment. Since there are no well tested Monte Carlo codes for HZE particles, we have been engaged in flight validation of the HZETRN results. To date we have made comparison with TEPC, CR-39, charge particle telescopes, and Bonner spheres. This broad range of detectors allows us to test a number of functions related to differing physical processes which add to the complicated radiation fields within a spacecraft or the human body, which functions can be calculated by the HZETRN code system. In the present report we will review these results.

Wilson, J. W.↗

Overview of the Testing of a Small-Scale Proprotor

This paper presents an overview of results from the wind tunnel test of a 1/4-scale V-22 proprotor in the Duits-Nederlandse Windtunnel (DNW) in The Netherlands. The small-scale proprotor was tested on the isolated rotor configuration of the Tilt Rotor Aeroacoustic Model (TRAM). The test was conducted by a joint team from NASA Ames, NASA Langley, U.S. Army Aeroflightdynamics Directorate, and The Boeing Company. The objective of the test was to acquire a benchmark database for validating aeroacoustic analyses. Representative examples of airloads, acoustics, structural loads, and performance data are provided and discussed.

Young, Larry A.↗

Acoustic Shielding for a Model Scale Counter-rotation Open Rotor

The noise shielding benefit of installing an open rotor above a simplified wing or tail is explored experimentally. The test results provide both a benchmark data set for validating shielding prediction tools and an opportunity for a system level evaluation of the noise reduction potential of propulsion noise shielding by an airframe component. A short barrier near the open rotor was found to provide up to 8.5 dB of attenuation at some directivity angles, with tonal sound particularly well shielded. Predictions from two simple shielding theories were found to overestimate the shielding benefit.

Acoustics shielding↗

Topographic Quintet: Comparing Five Methods for Measuring Ultra-High Resolution Topography

We compare different methods for collecting ultra-high resolution topography data within an analog planetary, human landing site scale area. Our aim is to investigate the cost and benefits of different 3D terrain mapping techniques, their associated data collection methods, and how their different specifications (e.g., range, spatial resolution, scanning-time, mobility, operating constraints, GPS-Denied operation, etc.) might be applied to landing-site characterization and mission operations. We compare 3D terrain data collected during a field campaign in November 2021 from an outcrop at Kilbourne Hole in southern New Mexico using different Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors on the ground and stereo-derived 3D data from framing cameras mounted on small uncrewed aerial systems (sUAS).Our foci for this experiment are ground-based, surveying, and autonomous vehicle-type 3D scanning sensors that might be used for planetary surface exploration from landed assets (e.g., lander, rover, astronaut-mounted sensors, decent imaging, hoppers, or drones).[e.g. 1]This test is not meant to benchmark these scanners against one another, nor provide a recommendation for a specific make or model. Rather, our goal is to quantify time, effort, resolution, and operational trade-offs that are important for selecting a topographic instrument/methodology for a given scope of terrain characterization. Our results indicate that each technique is capable of exceptional quality terrain characterization for planetary exploration and scientific inquiry, but we hypothesize the appropriate technique is highly dependent on the scope of operational specifications and science requirements.

P Whelley↗

AgMIP-Wheat Multi-Model Simulations on Climate Change Impact and Adaptation for Global Wheat

The climate change impact and adaptation simulations from the Agricultural Model Intercomparison and Improvement Project (AgMIP) for wheat provide a unique dataset of multi-model ensemble simulations for 60 representative global locations covering all global wheat mega environments. The multi-model ensemble reported here has been thoroughly benchmarked against a large number of experimental data, including different locations, growing season temperatures, atmospheric CO2 concentration, heat stress scenarios, and their interactions. In this paper, we describe the main characteristics of this global simulation dataset. Detailed cultivar, crop management, and soil datasets were compiled for all locations to drive 32 wheat growth models. The dataset consists of 30-year simulated data including 25 output variables for nine climate scenarios, including Baseline (1980-2010) with 360 or 550 ppm CO2, Baseline +2oC or +4oC with 360 or 550 ppm CO2, a mid-century climate change scenario (RCP8.5, 571 ppm CO2), and 1.5°C (423 ppm CO2) and 2.0oC (487 ppm CO2) warming above the pre-industrial period (HAPPI). This global simulation dataset can be used as a benchmark from a well-tested multi-model ensemble in future analyses of global wheat. Also, resource use efficiency (e.g., for radiation, water, and nitrogen use) and uncertainty analyses under different climate scenarios can be explored at different scales. The DOI for the dataset is 10.5281/zenodo.4027033 (AgMIP-Wheat, 2020), and all the data are available on the data repository of Zenodo (http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4027033). Two scientific publications have been published based on some of these data here.

Agricultural Model Intercomparison and Improvement↗

Potential Impact of Interfacial Bonding Efficiency on High-Burnup Spent Nuclear Fuel Vibration Integrity during Normal Transportation

Finite element analysis (FEA) was used to investigate the impacts of interfacial bonding efficiency at pellet pellet and pellet clad interfaces on spent nuclear fuel (SNF) vibration integrity. The FEA simulation results were also validated and benchmarked with reverse bending fatigue test results on surrogate rods consisting of stainless steel (SS) tubes with alumina-pellet inserts. Bending moments (M) are applied to the FEA models to evaluate the system responses of the surrogate rods. From the induced curvature, , the flexural rigidity EI can be estimated as EI=M/ . The impacts of interfacial bonding efficiency on SNF vibration integrity include the moment carrying capacity distribution between pellets and clad and the impact of cohesion on the flexural rigidity of the surrogate rod system. The result also indicates that the immediate consequences of interfacial de-bonding are a load carrying capacity shift from the fuel pellets to the clad and a reduction of the composite rod flexural rigidity. Therefore, the flexural rigidity of the surrogate rod and the bending moment bearing capacity between the clad and fuel pellets are strongly dependent on the efficiency of interfacial bonding at the pellet pellet and pellet clad interfaces. The above-noted phenomenon was calibrated and validated by reverse bending fatigue testing using a surrogate rod system.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

POTENTIAL IMPACT OF INTERFACIAL BONDING EFFICIENCY ON USED NUCLEAR FUEL VIBRATION INTEGRITY DURING NORMAL TRANSPORTATION

Finite element analysis (FEA) was used to investigate the impacts of interfacial bonding efficiency at pellet pellet and pellet clad interfaces on surrogate of used nuclear fuel (UNF) vibration integrity. The FEA simulation results were also validated and benchmarked with reversible bending fatigue test results on surrogate rods consisting of stainless steel (SS) tubes with alumina-pellet inserts. Bending moments (M) are applied to the FEA models to evaluate the system responses of the surrogate rods. From the induced curvature, , the flexural rigidity EI can be estimated as EI=M/ . The impacts of interfacial bonding efficiency include the moment carrying capacity distribution between pellets and clad and cohesion influence on the flexural rigidity of the surrogate rod system. The result also indicates that the immediate consequences of interfacial de-bonding are a load carrying capacity shift from the fuel pellets to the clad and a reduction of the composite rod flexural rigidity. Therefore, the flexural rigidity of the surrogate rod and the bending moment bearing capacity between the clad and fuel pellets are strongly dependent on the efficiency of interfacial bonding at the pellet pellet and pellet clad interfaces. FEA models will be further used to study UNF vibration integrity.

finite element method↗

Flux stabilization in neutron problems with fixed sources

Although critical core calculations are the most common in design and safety analysis, fixed source calculations are needed for specific applications, e.g. to compute ex-core detector response functions, to develop new methodologies for dilution and reload error accidents and more in general for all situations involving sub-critical shut-down states. It is well known that the source problem becomes difficult to be solved with core configuration close to criticality, i.e. with the multiplication factor approaching unity, for the occurrence of numerical ill-conditioning and very high number of iterations, possibly leading to failure in the flux convergence. In this work, the Wielandt Eigen-shift technique used in iterative methods of critical problems is developed for source problems too, in order to stabilize the solution. The mathematical basis and the proof of the convergence are discussed. Compared to the existing methods, this technique allows also more control to avoid singular behavior at inner iterations. Numerical tests with a 1D analytical benchmark are reported to prove the robustness of the technique. (authors)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗