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At least 991 records · Page 55

A survey of grid generation techniques in computational fluid dynamics

The use of numerically-generated body-conforming coordinate systems has become well-established in computational fluid dynamics, allowing general codes to be written which can treat boundaries of arbitrary shape. There is now a rapidly increasing interest in the dynamic coupling of the grid with the physical solution so that the grid lines continually move to achieve concentration in regions of strong variation of the physical solution and alignment with shocks, flame fronts, etc. Such adaptive coordinate systems have been developed using a variety of techniques for sensing and reacting to the developing regions of concentration and/or alignment. This paper reviews the techniques and applications of these dynamically adaptive systems and other systems.

Thompson, J. F.↗

Self-adjusting grid methods for one-dimensional hyperbolic conservation laws

The automatic adjustment of a grid which follows the dynamics of the numerical solution of hyperbolic conservation laws is given. The grid motion is determined by averaging the local characteristic velocities of the equations with respect to the amplitudes of the signals. The resulting algorithm is a simple extension of many currently popular Godunov-type methods. Computer codes using one of these methods can be easily modified to add the moving mesh as an option. Numerical examples are given that illustrate the improved accuracy of Godunov's and Roe's methods on a self-adjusting mesh. Previously announced in STAR as N83-15008

Harten, A.↗

Algebraic grid generation

The numerical solution of partial differential equations about irregular geometries and with varying characteristic scales has created the need for coordinate systems and associated transformations which reflect both geometric and physical requirements. The process of finding coordinate transformations in discrete representations is called 'grid generation'. The present investigation is concerned with three algebraic grid generation methods. The methods include transfinite interpolation, the multisurface method, and the two-boundary technique. Interpolation formulas, in terms of homotopic mappings and constraints in terms of point positions and/or derivatives are the essential elements of the techniques. The methods are relatively simple to understand, they are explicit and do not require extensive computational effort, and they have a high degree of generality.

Smith, R. E.↗

Analysis of the error associated with grid representation of point sources

The steady-state, three-dimensional transport equation for inert pollutant dispersion in the atmosphere is solved analytically to obtain expressions for pollutant concentrations from both a point source and a rectangular area source. The results of this analysis have application to numerical grid models in which the smallest resolvable source is the size of a single grid. The concentrations at ground level along the plume centerline from the two types of sources are in close agreement with each other at distances greater than 10 km downwind when the horizontal dimension of the rectangular source is not less than 100 m. The dimension of the source in the vertical direction is held constant at 50 m. Similar results are obtained for concentrations along the plume centerline at the effective stack height. When the size of the source in the crosswind direction is increased to 1 km, good agreement between the two concentrations is obtained for downwind distances over 60 km for the ground level case and over 140 km for the concentration at stack height level. For the horizontal dimension equal to 10 km, good agreement between the two cases is only obtained at extremely large downwind distances at both the stack height and ground levels.

Karamchandani, P.↗

Study of asymptotic incompressible flow in curved ducts using a multi-grid technique

Asymptotic flows inside curved ducts of rectangular as well as polar cross sections have been analyzed using the Navier-Stokes equations in terms of the axial velocity and vorticity and the cross-flow stream function. Numerical solutions of the three second-order coupled elliptic partial differential equations governing this flow have been obtained using the multi-grid-SI scheme, to determine fine-grid results for configurations with strong secondary flow.

Ghia, K. N.↗

Generation of surface-fitted coordinate grids

An accurate numerical solution of the Navier-Stokes equations is strongly dependent on the description of the flow geometry. In the past, rectangular grids led to an ill description of curved boundaries and consequently hindered finite-difference solutions. Now, it is accepted that body-fitted coordinate systems give a much better description of complex flow geometries. The generation of body-fitted curvilinear coordinate grids in two dimensions by the solution of a nonlinear system of elliptic equations has been proposed Thompson. It has been extended to three dimensions and applied in practical configurations.

Garon, A.↗

BGRID: A block-structured grid generation code for wing sections

The operation of the BGRID computer program is described for generating block-structured grids. Examples are provided to illustrate the code input and output. The application of a fully implicit AF (approximation factorization)-based computer code, called TWINGB (Transonic WING), for solving the 3D transonic full potential equation in conservation form on block-structured grids is also discussed.

Chen, H. C.↗

Adaptive grid methods for partial differential equations

A number of techniques for constructing adaptive mesh generators for use in solving partial differential equations are reviewed in this paper. Techniques reviewed include methods based on steady grid generation schemes and those which are explicitly designed to determine grid speeds in a time-dependent or space-marching problem. Results for candidate methods are included and suggestions for areas of future research are suggested.

Anderson, D. A.↗

Hybrid C-H grids for turbomachinery cascades

The three basic types of grids available for two-dimensional cascade configurations are examined with respect to their relative advantages and disadvantages. Subsequently, a hybrid coordinate system is proposed such that it combines the major advantages of the C-type and the H-type meshes. The development of the hybrid grid system employs the patching of appropriate regions of these two basic mesh systems such that the transformed domain has a multi-block structure. Viewing the transformed domain as a three-dimensional surface enables the coordinates to be continuous across the boundaries of the patches in a natural manner.

Ghia, U.↗

A comparative study of the parabolized Navier-Stokes code using various grid-generation techniques

The parabolized Navier-Stokes (PNS) equations are used to calculate the flow-field characteristics about the hypersonic research aircraft X-24C. A comparison of the results obtained using elliptic, hyperbolic, and algebraic grid generators is presented. The outer bow shock is treated as a sharp discontinuity, and the discontinuities within the shock layer are captured. Surface pressures and heat-transfer results at angles of attack of 6 deg and 20 deg, obtained using the three grid generators, are compared. The PNS equations are marched downstream over the body in both Cartesian and cylindrical base coordinate systems, and the results are compared. A robust marching procedure is demonstrated by successfully using large marching step sizes with the implicit shock fitting procedure. A correlation is found between the marching step size, Reynolds number, and the angle of attack at fixed values of smoothing and stability coefficients for the marching scheme.

Kaul, U. K.↗

Three-Dimensional Grids for Flow-Field Calculations

New procedure generates boundary-conforming three-dimensional grids suitable for calculating flow fields around bodies with complex shapes. Extension of earlier methods limited to mapping two-dimensional flow regions onto rectangular grids in transformed planes. Technique also useful in solving thermodynamic and electrostatic fields near complex surfaces.

Thomas, P. D.↗

Parameterization in Grid Generation

The distribution of grid points for calculating the solution of partial differential equations is chosen so as to include consideration of truncation error, stability, and the resolution of the solution near boundary layers and shocks. It is important to specify the distribution of points along a grid line. The problem of distributing points along a curve is considered. It is assumed that the curve is defined parametrically. The objective is to select a set of parameter values so that the corresponding points on the curves are properly distributed. The distribution is based on some intrinsic property of the curve such as arc length or curvature.

Mastin, C. W.↗

Euler calculations for multielement airfoils using Cartesian grids

A finite volume formulation for the Euler equations using Cartesian grids is presented and used to study complex two-dimensional configurations. The formulation extends methods developed for the potential equation to the Euler equations. Results using this approach for single element airfoils are shown to be competitive with and as accurate as other methods that employ mapped grids. Further, it is demonstrated that this method provides a simple and accurate procedure for solving flow problems involving multielement airfoils.

Clarke, D. K.↗

Application of a variational method for generating adaptive grids

The application of variational methods for generating adaptive grids is not as straightforward as one is led to believe. Proper scaling, suitable weight functions and appropriate clustering on boundaries must be employed to obtain a satisfactory grid. This work, which is based on the framework developed by Brackbill and Saltzman, provides simple methods for determining scaling and investigates possible options for selecting the weight function and clustering points on the boundaries. The concepts developed here are applied to two two-dimensional problems: a model problem based on Burger's equation which contains two length scales and, transonic flow past airfoils using the Euler equations.

Kreis, R. I.↗

Three-dimensional unsteady Euler equations solutions on dynamic grids

A method is presented for solving the three-dimensional unsteady Euler equations on dynamic grids based on flux vector splitting. The equations are cast in curvilinear coordinates and a finite volume discretization is used for handling arbitrary geometries. The discretized equations are solved using an explicit upwind second-order predictor corrector scheme that is stable for a CFL of 2. Characteristic variable boundary conditions are developed and used for unsteady impermeable surfaces and for the far-field boundary. Dynamic-grid results are presented for an oscillating air-foil and for a store separating from a reflection plate. For the cases considered of stores separating from a reflection plate, the unsteady aerodynamic forces on the store are significantly different from forces obtained by steady-state aerodynamics with the body inclination angle changed to account for plunge velocity.

Belk, D. M.↗

A time-accurate multiple-grid algorithm

A time-accurate multiple-grid algorithm is described. The algorithm allows one to take much larger time steps with an explicit time-marching scheme than would otherwise be the case. Sample calculations of a scalar advection equation and the Euler equations for an oscillating airfoil are shown. For the oscillating airfoil, time steps an order of magnitude larger than the single-grid algorithm are possible.

Jespersen, D. C.↗

Navier-Stokes simulations of rotor-stator interaction using patched and overlaid grids

An accurate numerical analysis of the flows associated with rotor-stator configurations in turbomachinery can be very helpful in optimizing the performance of turbomachinery. In this study the unsteady, thin-layer, Navier-Stokes equations are solved using a system of patched and overlaid grids for a rotor-stator configuration of an axial turbine. The equations necessary for an accurate transfer of information between the several grids are briefly described within the framework of an iterative, implicit algorithm. Results in the form of Mach number contours, time-averaged pressures, unsteady pressures, amplitudes, and phase are presented. The numerical results are also compared with experimental data and the agreement is found to be good.

Rai, M. M.↗