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At least 1,387 records · Page 77
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2015

High-speed GPU-based finite element simulations for NDT

The finite element method solved with explicit time increments is a general approach which can be applied to many ultrasound problems. It is widely used as a powerful tool within NDE for developing and testing inspection techniques, and can also be used in inversion processes. However, the solution technique is computationally intensive, requiring many calculations to be performed for each simulation, so traditionally speed has been an issue. For maximum speed, an implementation of the method, called Pogo [Huthwaite, J. Comp. Phys. 2014, doi: 10.1016/j.jcp.2013.10.017], has been developed to run on graphics cards, exploiting the highly parallelisable nature of the algorithm. Pogo typically demonstrates speed improvements of 60-90x over commercial CPU alternatives. Pogo is applied to three NDE examples, where the speed improvements are important: guided wave tomography, where a full 3D simulation must be run for each source transducer and every different defect size; scattering from rough cracks, where many simulations need to be run to build up a statistical model of the behaviour; and ultrasound propagation within coarse-grained materials where the mesh must be highly refined and many different cases run.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Plan to Verify and Validate Multi-Hazard Risk-Informed Margin Management Methods and Tools

This report describes the development plan for verification and validation (V&V) of multihazard risk informed margin management (RIMM) methods and tools. The plan will include using new INL developed tool sets coupled with the new multi-partner External Hazards Experimental Group (EHEG) coordinated by the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) within the Risk-Informed Safety Margin Characterization (RISMC) technical pathway of the Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program. The RISMC pathway is developing a suite of new tools and methods for advanced evaluation of facility risk. The RISMC toolkit, includes tools and methods focused on evaluation of risk from external hazards (e.g, seismic and flooding events), which have been shown to be dominant risk contributors in probabilistic risk assessments performed for operating nuclear power plants (NPPs). The external events activity (EEA) within the RISMC pathway is tasked with developing tools and methods focused on evaluation of multi-hazard external risk (e.g, seismic and flooding events). The EHEG will provide technical expertise and experimental large-scale testing data needed for development and validation of tools and methods in the RISMC toolkit for external hazard safety evaluations. The EEA within RISMC has two key elements: (1) an organizational and research framework provided by INL and (2) a coordinated group of university and national laboratory partners with the complementary expertise and experimental capabilities needed to conduct large-scale external hazard-focused experiments. This cooperative group will allow INL to leverage a range of existing capabilities to meet the unique needs of RISMC tool and method development. In addition, the capabilities of the EHEG could be used to address needs of other national laboratories. Currently, there is limited data available for development and validation of the tools and methods being developed in the RISMC Toolkit. The EHEG is being developed to obtain high quality, large-scale experimental data validation of RISMC tools and methods in a timely and cost-effective way. The group of universities and national laboratories that will eventually form the EHEG (which is ultimately expected to include both the initial participants and other universities and national laboratories that have been identified) have the expertise and experimental capabilities needed to both obtain and compile existing data archives and perform additional seismic and flooding experiments. The data developed by EHEG will be stored in databases within RISMC. These databases will be used to validate the advanced external hazard tools and methods. The numerical tools under development in RISMC are used to evaluate the impacts that external hazards have on nuclear power plants. These analysis tools will be used to advanced current risk calculation processes and reduce uncertainty in these calculations. To have confidence in the predictive capability of these numerical tools it is important to verify and validate them. To verify and validate numerical tools the user must understand what physics is being used to represent the problem (i.e. constitutive models used to represent the soil and structure), the numerical solver approach used (i.e. finite element), what data already exists that could be used to validate the tools, and what data is needed for validation.

31274↗
NASA NTRS1991

A three-dimensional finite-element thermal/mechanical analytical technique for high-performance traveling wave tubes

Current research in high-efficiency, high-performance traveling wave tubes (TWT's) has led to the development of novel thermal/ mechanical computer models for use with helical slow-wave structures. A three-dimensional, finite element computer model and analytical technique used to study the structural integrity and thermal operation of a high-efficiency, diamond-rod, K-band TWT designed for use in advanced space communications systems. This analysis focused on the slow-wave circuit in the radiofrequency section of the TWT, where an inherent localized heating problem existed and where failures were observed during earlier cold compression, or 'coining' fabrication technique that shows great potential for future TWT development efforts. For this analysis, a three-dimensional, finite element model was used along with MARC, a commercially available finite element code, to simulate the fabrication of a diamond-rod TWT. This analysis was conducted by using component and material specifications consistent with actual TWT fabrication and was verified against empirical data. The analysis is nonlinear owing to material plasticity introduced by the forming process and also to geometric nonlinearities presented by the component assembly configuration. The computer model was developed by using the high efficiency, K-band TWT design but is general enough to permit similar analyses to be performed on a wide variety of TWT designs and styles. The results of the TWT operating condition and structural failure mode analysis, as well as a comparison of analytical results to test data are presented.

Bartos, Karen F.↗
NASA NTRS1992

A three-dimensional finite-element thermal/mechanical analytical technique for high-performance traveling wave tubes

Current research in high-efficiency, high-performance traveling wave tubes (TWT's) has led to the development of novel thermal/mechanical computer models for use with helical slow-wave structures. A three-dimensional, finite element computer model and analytical technique used to study the structural integrity and thermal operation of a high-efficiency, diamond-rod, K-band TWT designed for use in advanced space communications systems. This analysis focused on the slow-wave circuit in the radiofrequency section of the TWT, where an inherent localized heating problem existed and where failures were observed during earlier cold compression, or 'coining' fabrication technique that shows great potential for future TWT development efforts. For this analysis, a three-dimensional, finite element model was used along with MARC, a commercially available finite element code, to simulate the fabrication of a diamond-rod TWT. This analysis was conducted by using component and material specifications consistent with actual TWT fabrication and was verified against empirical data. The analysis is nonlinear owing to material plasticity introduced by the forming process and also to geometric nonlinearities presented by the component assembly configuration. The computer model was developed by using the high efficiency, K-band TWT design but is general enough to permit similar analyses to be performed on a wide variety of TWT designs and styles. The results of the TWT operating condition and structural failure mode analysis, as well as a comparison of analytical results to test data are presented.

Shalkhauser, Kurt A.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Numerical analysis of laminar and turbulent incompressible flows using the finite element Fluid Dynamics Analysis Package (FIDAP)

The purpose of the study is the evaluation of the numerical accuracy of FIDAP (Fluid Dynamics Analysis Package). Accordingly, four test problems in laminar and turbulent incompressible flows are selected and the computational results of these problems compared with other numerical solutions and/or experimental data. These problems include: (1) 2-D laminar flow inside a wall-driven cavity; (2) 2-D laminar flow over a backward-facing step; (3) 2-D turbulent flow over a backward-facing step; and (4) 2-D turbulent flow through a turn-around duct.

Sohn, Jeong L.↗
DOE OSTI2017

Newmark local time stepping on high-performance computing architectures

In multi-scale complex media, finite element meshes often require areas of local refinement, creating small elements that can dramatically reduce the global time-step for wave-propagation problems due to the CFL condition. Local time stepping (LTS) algorithms allow an explicit time-stepping scheme to adapt the time-step to the element size, allowing near-optimal time-steps everywhere in the mesh. We develop an efficient multilevel LTS-Newmark scheme and implement it in a widely used continuous finite element seismic wave-propagation package. In particular, we extend the standard LTS formulation with adaptations to continuous finite element methods that can be implemented very efficiently with very strong element-size contrasts (more than 100x). Capable of running on large CPU and GPU clusters, we present both synthetic validation examples and large scale, realistic application examples to demonstrate the performance and applicability of the method and implementation on thousands of CPU cores and hundreds of GPUs.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
NASA NTRS1974

Boundary value problems with incremental plasticity in granular media

Discussion of the critical state concept in terms of an incremental theory of plasticity in granular (soil) media, and formulation of the governing equations which are convenient for a computational scheme using the finite element method. It is shown that the critical state concept with its representation by the classical incremental theory of plasticity can provide a powerful means for solving a wide variety of boundary value problems in soil media.

Chung, T. J.↗
DOE OSTI2017

Annotations on the virtual element method for second-order elliptic problems

This document contains working annotations on the Virtual Element Method (VEM) for the approximate solution of diffusion problems with variable coefficients. To read this document you are assumed to have familiarity with concepts from the numerical discretization of Partial Differential Equations (PDEs) and, in particular, the Finite Element Method (FEM). This document is not an introduction to the FEM, for which many textbooks (also free on the internet) are available. Eventually, this document is intended to evolve into a tutorial introduction to the VEM (but this is really a long-term goal).

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2016

Monolithic multigrid methods for two-dimensional resistive magnetohydrodynamics

Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) representations are used to model a wide range of plasma physics applications and are characterized by a nonlinear system of partial differential equations that strongly couples a charged fluid with the evolution of electromagnetic fields. The resulting linear systems that arise from discretization and linearization of the nonlinear problem are generally difficult to solve. In this paper, we investigate multigrid preconditioners for this system. We consider two well-known multigrid relaxation methods for incompressible fluid dynamics: Braess--Sarazin relaxation and Vanka relaxation. We first extend these to the context of steady-state one-fluid viscoresistive MHD. Then we compare the two relaxation procedures within a multigrid-preconditioned GMRES method employed within Newton's method. To isolate the effects of the different relaxation methods, we use structured grids, inf-sup stable finite elements, and geometric interpolation. Furthermore, we present convergence and timing results for a two-dimensional, steady-state test problem.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1990

Computational aspects of sensitivity calculations in linear transient structural analysis

A study was performed focusing on the calculation of sensitivities of displacements, velocities, accelerations, and stresses in linear, structural, transient response problems. One significant goal of the study was to develop and evaluate sensitivity calculation techniques suitable for large-order finite element analyses. Accordingly, approximation vectors such as vibration mode shapes are used to reduce the dimensionality of the finite element model. Much of the research focused on the accuracy of both response quantities and sensitivities as a function of number of vectors used. Two types of sensitivity calculation techniques were developed and evaluated. The first type of technique is an overall finite difference method where the analysis is repeated for perturbed designs. The second type of technique is termed semi-analytical because it involves direct, analytical differentiation of the equations of motion with finite difference approximation of the coefficient matrices. To be computationally practical in large-order problems, the overall finite difference methods must use the approximation vectors from the original design in the analyses of the perturbed models. In several cases this fixed mode approach resulted in very poor approximations of the stress sensitivities. Almost all of the original modes were required for an accurate sensitivity and for small numbers of modes, the accuracy was extremely poor. To overcome this poor accuracy, two semi-analytical techniques were developed. The first technique accounts for the change in eigenvectors through approximate eigenvector derivatives. The second technique applies the mode acceleration method of transient analysis to the sensitivity calculations. Both result in accurate values of the stress sensitivities with a small number of modes and much lower computational costs than if the vibration modes were recalculated and then used in an overall finite difference method.

Greene, William H.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Vibrations of twisted cantilever plates - A comparison of theoretical results

As a result of significant differences in the published results for various methods of analysis involving the use of finite element techniques, there are now some questions regarding the adequacy of these methods to predict accurately the vibratory characteristics of highly twisted cantilever plates. In an attempt to help in a resolution of the arising problems, a joint government/industry/university research effort was initiated. The primary objective of the present paper is to summarize the theoretical methods used in the study and show samples of the obtained results. The study provided 19 sets of theoretical results which are derived from beam theory, shell theory, and finite element methods.

Kielb, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Design of a Modular Monolithic Implicit Solver for Multi-Physics Applications

The design of a modular multi-physics high-order space-time finite-element framework is presented together with its extension to allow monolithic coupling of different physics. One of the main objectives of the framework is to perform efficient high- fidelity simulations of capsule/parachute systems. This problem requires simulating multiple physics including, but not limited to, the compressible Navier-Stokes equations, the dynamics of a moving body with mesh deformations and adaptation, the linear shell equations, non-re effective boundary conditions and wall modeling. The solver is based on high-order space-time - finite element methods. Continuous, discontinuous and C1-discontinuous Galerkin methods are implemented, allowing one to discretize various physical models. Tangent and adjoint sensitivity analysis are also targeted in order to conduct gradient-based optimization, error estimation, mesh adaptation, and flow control, adding another layer of complexity to the framework. The decisions made to tackle these challenges are presented. The discussion focuses first on the "single-physics" solver and later on its extension to the monolithic coupling of different physics. The implementation of different physics modules, relevant to the capsule/parachute system, are also presented. Finally, examples of coupled computations are presented, paving the way to the simulation of the full capsule/parachute system.

Carton De Wiart, Corentin↗
NASA NTRS1974

On numerically accurate finite element

A general criterion for testing a mesh with topologically similar repeat units is given, and the analysis shows that only a few conventional element types and arrangements are, or can be made suitable for computations in the fully plastic range. Further, a new variational principle, which can easily and simply be incorporated into an existing finite element program, is presented. This allows accurate computations to be made even for element designs that would not normally be suitable. Numerical results are given for three plane strain problems, namely pure bending of a beam, a thick-walled tube under pressure, and a deep double edge cracked tensile specimen. The effects of various element designs and of the new variational procedure are illustrated. Elastic-plastic computation at finite strain are discussed.

Nagtegaal, J. C.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Block preconditioning for fault/fracture mechanics saddle-point problems

The efficient simulation of fault and fracture mechanics is a key issue in several applications and is attracting a growing interest by the scientific community. Using a formulation based on Lagrange multipliers, the Jacobian matrix resulting from the Finite Element discretization of the governing equations has a non-symmetric generalized saddle-point structure. In this work, we propose a family of block preconditioners to accelerate the convergence of Krylov methods for such problems. We critically review possible advantages and difficulties of using various Schur complement approximations, based on both physical and algebraic considerations. In conclusion, the proposed approaches are tested in a number of real-world applications, showing their robustness and efficiency also in large-size and ill-conditioned problems.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS1979

Application of the method of integral relations to unsteady fluid flow problems with shocks

A mixed method using both the method of integral relations and the finite difference technique is developed for the solution of unsteady flow problems. The integral relations method is based upon a chosen interpolating function dependent only on the time domain. The resulting local semidiscrete finite element equations obtained are assembled into a global form. The spatial derivatives at the nodes are replaced by finite difference operators and the discretized nonlinear algebraic system is solved by an iterative scheme. Solutions are obtained for the one-dimensional gasdynamics equation, the one-dimensional wave equation and Burger's model of turbulence. Agreement with other numerical and analytical solutions is excellent for the gasdynamics problem and satisfactory for the Burger equation in cases of small viscous effects.

Wadia, A. R.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Computational considerations in application of the finite element method for analysis of unsteady flow around airfoils.

Difficulties related to the application of the finite element method for numerical solution of the Navier-Stokes equation are discussed. The unsteady flow around a stationary and oscillating NACA 0012 airfoil was analyzed. In an effort to establish the range of applicability of the developed numerical method, the accuracy and stability problems in representing unsteady flow patterns and determining pressure distribution around the airfoil were investigated. Error involved in determining the velocity field and in the numerical integration of the discretized equations were analyzed in terms of geometry of the finite element gridwork, boundary conditions for stationary and oscillating airfoils, angles of attack and flow conditions.

Bratanow, T.↗
DOE OSTI2015

Parallel domain decomposition method for finite element approximation of 3D steady state non‐Newtonian fluids

Summary We introduce a stabilized finite element method for the 3D non‐Newtonian Navier–Stokes equations and a parallel domain decomposition method for solving the sparse system of nonlinear equations arising from the discretization. Non‐Newtonian flow problems are, generally speaking, more challenging than Newtonian flows because the nonlinearities are not only in the convection term but also in the viscosity term, which depends on the shear rate. Many good iterative methods and preconditioning techniques that work well for the Newtonian flows do not work well for the non‐Newtonian flows. We employ a Galerkin/least squares finite element method, with stabilization parameters adjusted to count the non‐Newtonian effect, to discretize the equations, and the resulting highly nonlinear system of equations is solved by a Newton–Krylov–Schwarz algorithm. In this study, we apply the proposed method to some inelastic power‐law fluid flows through the eccentric annuli with inner cylinder rotation and investigate the robustness of the method with respect to some physical parameters, including the power‐law index and the Reynolds number ratios. We then report the superlinear speedup achieved by the domain decomposition algorithm on a computer with up to 512 processors. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Shiu, Wen‐Shin↗
DOE OSTI2014

Beyond first-order finite element schemes in micromagnetics

Magnetization dynamics in ferromagnetic materials is ruled by the Landau–Lifshitz–Gilbert equation (LLG). Reliable schemes must conserve the magnetization norm, which is a nonconvex constraint, and be energy-decreasing unless there is pumping. Some of the authors previously devised a convergent finite element scheme that, by choice of an appropriate test space – the tangent plane to the magnetization – reduces to a linear problem at each time step. The scheme was however first-order in time. We claim it is not an intrinsic limitation, and the same approach can lead to efficient micromagnetic simulation. We show how the scheme order can be increased, and the nonlocal (magnetostatic) interactions be tackled in logarithmic time, by the fast multipole method or the non-uniform fast Fourier transform. Our implementation is called feeLLGood. A test-case of the National Institute of Standards and Technology is presented, then another one relevant to spin-transfer effects (the spin-torque oscillator)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗