A grid‐free upwind relaxation scheme for inviscid compressible flows

A new grid‐free upwind relaxation scheme for simulating inviscid compressible flows is presented in this paper. The non‐linear conservation equations are converted to linear convection equations with non‐linear source terms by using a relaxation system and its interpretation as a discrete Boltzmann equation. A splitting method is used to separate the convection and relaxation parts. Least squares upwinding is used for discretizing the convection equations, thus developing a grid‐free scheme which can operate on any arbitrary distribution of points. The scheme is grid free in the sense that it works on any arbitrary distribution of points and it does not require any topological information like elements, faces, edges, etc. This method is tested on some standard test cases. To explore the power of the grid‐free scheme, solution‐based adaptation of points is done and the results are presented, which demonstrate the efficiency of the new grid‐free scheme. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A local domain‐free discretization method to simulate three‐dimensional compressible inviscid flows

In this paper, the domain‐free discretization method (DFD) is extended to simulate the three‐dimensional compressible inviscid flows governed by Euler equations. The discretization strategy of DFD is that the discrete form of governing equations at an interior point may involve some points outside the solution domain. The functional values at the exterior‐dependent points are updated at each time step by extrapolation along the wall normal direction in conjunction with the wall boundary conditions and the simplified momentum equation in the vicinity of the wall. Spatial discretization is achieved with the help of the finite element Galerkin approximation. The concept of ‘osculating plane’ is adopted, with which the local DFD can be easily implemented for the three‐dimensional case. Geometry‐adaptive tetrahedral mesh is employed for three‐dimensional calculations. Finally, we validate the DFD method for three‐dimensional compressible inviscid flow simulations by computing transonic flows over the ONERA M6 wing. Comparison with the reference experimental data and numerical results on boundary‐conforming grid was displayed and the results show that the present DFD results compare very well with the reference data. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Efficient simulation of free surface flows with discrete least-squares meshless method using a priori error estimator

In this article, a priori error estimate is employed to improve the efficiency of simulating free surface flows with discrete least-squares meshless (DLSM) method. DLSM is a fully least-squares approach in which both function approximation and the discretisation of the governing differential equations is carried out using a least-squares concept. The meshless shape functions are derived using the moving least-squares (MLS) method of function approximation. The discretised equations are obtained via a discrete least-squares method in which the sum of the squared residuals are minimised with respect to unknown nodal parameters. The governing equations of mass and momentum conservation are solved in a Lagrangian form using a pressure projection method. The proposed simulation strategy is composed of error estimation and a node moving refinement method. Since in free surface problems, the position of the free surface is of primary interest, a priori error estimate is used which automatically associates higher error to the nodes near the free surface. The node moving refinement method is used to construct a nodal configuration with dense nodal arrangement near the free surface. Four test problems namely dam break, evolution of a water bubble, solitary wave propagation and wave run-up on slope are investigated to test the ability and efficiency of the proposed efficient simulation method.     

A domain decomposition approach to compute wave breaking (wave‐breaking flows)

A heterogeneous domain decomposition approach is followed to simulate the unsteady wavy flow generated by a body moving beneath a free surface. Attention being focused on complex free surface configurations, including wave‐breaking phenomena, a two‐fluid viscous flow model is used in the free surface region to capture the air–water interface (via a level‐set technique), while a potential flow approximation is adopted to describe the flow far from the interface. Two coupling strategies are investigated, differing in the transmission conditions. Both the adopted approaches make use of the inviscid velocity field as boundary condition in the Navier–Stokes solution. For validation purposes, two different two‐dimensional non‐breaking flows are simulated. Domain decomposition results are compared with both fully viscous and fully inviscid results, obtained by solving the corresponding equations in the whole fluid domain, and with available experimental data. Finally, the unsteady evolution of a steep breaking wave is followed and some of the physical phenomena, experimentally observed, are reproduced. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A conservative semi‐implicit method for coupled surface–subsurface flows in regional scale

A semi‐implicit method for coupled surface–subsurface flows in regional scale is proposed and analyzed. The flow domain is assumed to have a small vertical scale as compared with the horizontal extents. Thus, after hydrostatic approximation, the simplified governing equations are derived from the Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes equations for the surface flow and from the Darcy's law for the subsurface flow. A conservative free‐surface equation is derived from a vertical integral of the incompressibility condition and extends to the whole water column including both, the surface and the subsurface, wet domains. Numerically, the horizontal domain is covered by an unstructured orthogonal grid that may include subgrid specifications. Along the vertical direction a simple z‐layer discretization is adopted. Semi‐implicit finite difference equations for velocities and a finite volume approximation for the free‐surface equation are derived in such a fashion that, after simple manipulation, the resulting discrete free‐surface equation yields a single, well‐posed, mildly nonlinear system. This system is efficiently solved by a nested Newton‐type iterative method that yields simultaneously the pressure and a non‐negative fluid volume throughout the computational grid. The time‐step size is not restricted by stability conditions dictated by friction or surface wave speed. The resulting algorithm is simple, extremely efficient, and very accurate. Exact mass conservation is assured also in presence of wetting and drying dynamics, in pressurized flow conditions, and during free‐surface transition through the interface. A few examples illustrate the model applicability and demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Cartesian grid technique based on one‐dimensional integrated radial basis function networks for natural convection in concentric annuli

This paper reports a radial basis function (RBF)‐based Cartesian grid technique for the simulation of two‐dimensional buoyancy‐driven flow in concentric annuli. The continuity and momentum equations are represented in the equivalent stream function formulation that reduces the number of equations from three to one, but involves higher‐order derivatives. The present technique uses a Cartesian grid to discretize the problem domain. Along a grid line, one‐dimensional integrated RBF networks (1D‐IRBFNs) are employed to represent the field variables. The capability of 1D‐IRBFNs to handle unstructured points with accuracy is exploited to describe non‐rectangular boundaries in a Cartesian grid, while the method's ability to avoid the reduction of convergence rate caused by differentiation is instrumental in improving the quality of the approximation of higher‐order derivatives. The method is applied to simulate thermally driven flows in annuli between two circular cylinders and between an outer square cylinder and an inner circular cylinder. High Rayleigh number solutions are achieved and they are in good agreement with previously published numerical data. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

无网格局部强弱法求解不规则域问题

无网格局部彼得洛夫-伽辽金(meshless local Petrov-Galerkin,MLPG)法是一种具有代表性的无网格方法,在计算力学领域得到广泛应用.然而,这种方法在边界上需执行积分运算,通常很难处理不规则求解域问题.为了克服MLPG法的这种局限性,提出了无网格局部强弱(meshless local strong-weak,MLSW)法.MLSW法采用MLPG法离散内部求解域,采用无网格介点(meshless intervention-point,MIP)法施加自然边界条件,并采用配点法施加本质边界条件,避免执行边界积分运算,可适用于求解各类复杂的不规则域问题.从理论上讲,这种结合式方法,既保持了MLPG法稳定而精确计算的优势,同时兼备配点型方法在处理复杂结构问题时简洁而灵活的优势,实现了弱式法和强式法的优势互补.此外,MLSW法采用移动最小二乘核(moving least squares core,MLSc)近似法来构造形函数,是对传统移动最小二乘(moving least squares,MLS)近似法的一种改进.MLSc使用核基函数代替通常的基函数,有利于数值求解的精确性和稳定性,而且其导数近似计算变得更为简单.数值算例结果初步表明:这种新方法实施简单,求解稳定、精确,表现出适合工程运用的潜力.     

加权最小二乘无网格法

在最小二乘法和移动最小二乘近似的基础上提出了加权最小二乘无网格法．该方法除节点外又引入了一些辅助点，控制方程在所有节点和辅助点处的残差用最小二乘法予以消除，边界条件用罚函数法引入．另外对移动最小二乘近似进行了改进，并给出了最小二乘法中泛函的简化格式，因而提高了计算效率．与配点法相比，新方法精度高，稳定性好，并且系数矩阵是对称正定矩阵．与Galerkin法相比，该方法不需要进行高斯积分，因而计算量小．算例表明该方法具有效率高、精度高和稳定性好等优点，并且易于实现．     

弹性静力问题的无网格弱-强形式结合法

基于改进的移动最小二乘(MLS)二阶导数近似,建立了一种求解弹性静力问题的无网格弱-强形式结合法(MLS-MWS)。该方法采用节点离散求解域,通过MLS构造形函数,将求解域划分为边界域和内部域,并分别使用控制方程的局部弱形式和强形式来建立离散系统方程。对强形式中涉及的近似函数二阶导数计算,提出了一种将其转化为求两次一阶导数的方法,与传统方法相比,该方法计算简单、精度高。MLS-MWS法结合了弱、强形式无网格法的优点,Neumann边界条件容易满足,并且只需在边界区域进行积分。文中应用该方法分析了两个弹性力学平面问题,分析结果表明本文方法具有良好的精度和收敛性。     

Provably stable and time‐accurate extensions of Runge–Kutta schemes for CFD computations on moving grids

Extending fixed‐grid time integration schemes for unsteady CFD applications to moving grids, while formally preserving their numerical stability and time accuracy properties, is a nontrivial task. A general computational framework for constructing stability‐preserving ALE extensions of Eulerian multistep time integration schemes can be found in the literature. A complementary framework for designing accuracy‐preserving ALE extensions of such schemes is also available. However, the application of neither of these two computational frameworks to a multistage method such as a Runge–Kutta (RK) scheme is straightforward. Yet, the RK methods are an important family of explicit and implicit schemes for the approximation of solutions of ordinary differential equations in general and a popular one in CFD applications. This paper presents a methodology for filling this gap. It also applies it to the design of ALE extensions of fixed‐grid explicit and implicit second‐order time‐accurate RK (RK2) methods. To this end, it presents the discrete geometric conservation law associated with ALE RK2 schemes and a method for enforcing it. It also proves, in the context of the nonlinear scalar conservation law, that satisfying this discrete geometric conservation law is a necessary and sufficient condition for a proposed ALE extension of an RK2 scheme to preserve on moving grids the nonlinear stability properties of its fixed‐grid counterpart. All theoretical findings reported in this paper are illustrated with the ALE solution of inviscid and viscous unsteady, nonlinear flow problems associated with vibrations of the AGARD Wing 445.6. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Steady‐state solution of incompressible Navier–Stokes equations using discrete least‐squares meshless method

A fractional step method for the solution of the steady state incompressible Navier–Stokes equations is proposed in this paper in conjunction with a meshless method, named discrete least‐squares meshless (DLSM). The proposed fractional step method is a first‐order accurate scheme, named semi‐incremental fractional step method, which is a general form of the previous first‐order fractional step methods, i.e. non‐incremental and incremental schemes. One of the most important advantages of the proposed scheme is its capability to use large time step sizes for the solution of incompressible Navier–Stokes equations. DLSM method uses moving least‐squares shape functions for function approximation and discrete least‐squares technique for discretization of the governing differential equations and their boundary conditions. As there is no need for a background mesh, the DLSM method can be called a truly meshless method and enjoys symmetric and positive‐definite properties. Several numerical examples are used to demonstrate the ability and the efficiency of the proposed scheme and the discrete least‐squares meshless method. The results are shown to compare favorably with those of the previously published works. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Enriched meshless manifold method for two-dimensional crack modeling

The meshless manifold method is based on the partition of unity method and the finite cover approximation theory which provides a unified framework for solving problems dealing with both continuum with and without discontinuities. The meshless manifold method employs two cover systems. The mathematical cover system provides the nodes for forming finite covers of the solution domain and the partition of unity functions. And the physical cover system describes geometry of the domain and the discontinuous surfaces in the domain. The shape functions are derived by the partition of unity and the finite covers approximation theory. In meshless manifold method, the mathematical finite cover approximation theory is used to model cracks that lead to interior discontinuities in the displacement. Therefore, the discontinuity is treated mathematically instead of empirically by the existing methods. However, one cover of a node is divided into two irregular sub-covers when the meshless manifold method is used to model the discontinuity. As a result, the method sometimes causes numerical errors at the tip of a crack. To improve the precision of the meshless manifold method, the enriched methods are introduced in this work for crack problems.     

Analysis of a meshless solver for high Reynolds number flow

In this paper, the extension of an upwind least‐square based meshless solver to high Reynolds number flow is explored, and the properties of the meshless solver are analyzed both theoretically and numerically. Existing works have verified the meshless solver mostly with inviscid flows and low Reynolds number flows, and in this work, we are interested in the behavior of the meshless solver for high Reynolds number flow, especially in the near‐wall region. With both theoretical and numerical analysis, the effects of two parameters on the meshless solver are identified. The first one is the misalignment effect caused by the significantly skewed supporting points, and it is found that the meshless solver still yields accurate prediction. It is a very interesting property and is opposite to the median‐dual control volume based vertex‐centered finite volume method, which is known to give degraded result with stretched triangular/tetrahedral cells in the near‐wall region. The second parameter is the curvature, and according to theoretical analysis, it is found in the region with both large aspect ratio and curvature, and the streamwise residual is less affected; however, the wall‐normal counterpart suffers from accuracy degradation. In this paper, an improved method that uses a meshless solver for the streamwise residual and finite difference for wall‐normal residual is developed. This method is proved to be less sensitive to the curvature and provides improved accuracy. This work presents an understanding of the meshless solver for high Reynolds number flow computation, and the analysis in this paper is verified with a series of numerical experiments. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simulation of non‐linear free surface motions in a cylindrical domain using a Chebyshev–Fourier spectral collocation method

When a liquid is perturbed, its free surface may experience highly non‐linear motions in response. This paper presents a numerical model of the three‐dimensional hydrodynamics of an inviscid liquid with a free surface. The mathematical model is based on potential theory in cylindrical co‐ordinates with a σ‐transformation applied between the bed and free surface in the vertical direction. Chebyshev spectral elements discretize space in the vertical and radial directions; Fourier spectral elements are used in the angular direction. Higher derivatives are approximated using a collocation (or pseudo‐spectral) matrix method. The numerical scheme is validated for non‐linear transient sloshing waves in a cylindrical tank containing a circular surface‐piercing cylinder at its centre. Excellent agreement is obtained with Ma and Wu's [Second order transient waves around a vertical cylinder in a tank. Journal of Hydrodynamics 1995; Ser. B4 : 72–81] second‐order potential theory. Further evidence for the capability of the scheme to predict complicated three‐dimensional, and highly non‐linear, free surface motions is given by the evolution of an impulse wave in a cylindrical tank and in an open domain. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Application of the finite point method to high‐Reynolds number compressible flow problems

In this work, the finite point method is applied to the solution of high‐Reynolds compressible viscous flows. The aim is to explore this important field of applications focusing on two main aspects: the easiness and automation of the meshless discretization of viscous layers and the construction of a robust numerical approximation in the highly stretched clouds of points resulting in such domain areas. The flow solution scheme adopts an upwind‐biased scheme to solve the averaged Navier–Stokes equations in conjunction with an algebraic turbulence model. The numerical applications presented involve different attached boundary layer flows and are intended to show the performance of the numerical technique. The results obtained are satisfactory and indicative of the possibilities to extend the present meshless technique to more complex flow problems. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Meshless Galerkin analysis of Stokes slip flow with boundary integral equations

This paper presents a novel meshless Galerkin scheme for modeling incompressible slip Stokes flows in 2D. The boundary value problem is reformulated as boundary integral equations of the first kind which is then converted into an equivalent variational problem with constraint. We introduce a Lagrangian multiplier to incorporate the constraint and apply the moving least‐squares approximations to generate trial and test functions. In this boundary‐type meshless method, boundary conditions can be implemented exactly and system matrices are symmetric. Unlike the domain‐type method, this Galerkin scheme requires only a nodal structure on the bounding surface of a body for approximation of boundary unknowns. The convergence and abstract error estimates of this new approach are given. Numerical examples are also presented to show the efficiency of the method. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An unstructured/structured multi‐layer hybrid grid method and its application

A multi‐layer hybrid grid method is constructed to simulate complex flow field around 2‐D and 3‐D configuration. The method combines Cartesian grids with structured grids and triangular meshes to provide great flexibility in discretizing a domain. We generate the body‐fitted structured grids near the wall surface and the Cartesian grids for the far field. In addition, we regard the triangular meshes as an adhesive to link each grid part. Coupled with a tree data structure, the Cartesian grid is generated automatically through a cell‐cutting algorithm. The grid merging methodology is discussed, which can smooth hybrid grids and improve the quality of the grids. A cell‐centred finite volume flow solver has been developed in combination with a dual‐time stepping scheme. The flow solver supports arbitrary control volume cells. Both inviscid and viscous flows are computed by solving the Euler and Navier–Stokes equations. The above methods and algorithms have been validated on some test cases. Computed results are presented and compared with experimental data. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

应力高梯度问题的无网格分析

基于移动最小二乘法的无网格计算，采用线性基函数即可得到C^1连续位移场，使得应力，应变场在整个求解域内保持连续；节点之间脱离了单元的约束，对求解域进行离散和加密节点时变得十分灵活，因此适合分析应力高梯度问题。本文简要介绍了无网格方法的基本原理，给出了确定节点影响域大小的方法，应用无网格方法对带有V型缺口的受拉方板J23-10曲柄压力机机身进行了受力分析，得到的应力集中部位的计算结果与实际值更为接近。     

CFD‐based optimization of aerofoils using radial basis functions for domain element parameterization and mesh deformation

A novel domain element shape parameterization method is presented for computational fluid dynamics‐based shape optimization. The method is to achieve two aims: (1) provide a generic ‘wrap‐around’ optimization tool that is independent of both flow solver and grid generation package and (2) provide a method that allows high‐fidelity aerodynamic optimization of two‐ and three‐dimensional bodies with a low number of design variables. The parameterization technique uses radial basis functions to transfer domain element movements into deformations of the design surface and corresponding aerodynamic mesh, thus allowing total independence from the grid generation package (structured or unstructured). Independence from the flow solver (either inviscid, viscous, aeroelastic) is achieved by obtaining sensitivity information for an advanced gradient‐based optimizer (feasible sequential quadratic programming) by finite‐differences. Results are presented for two‐dimensional aerofoil inverse design and drag optimization problems. Inverse design results demonstrate that a large proportion of the design space is feasible with a relatively low number of design variables using the domain element parameterization. Heavily constrained (in lift, volume, and moment) two‐dimensional aerofoil drag optimization has shown that significant improvements over existing designs can be achieved using this method, through the use of various objective functions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Slosh dynamics of liquid-filled composite containers—A two dimensional meshless local Petrov–Galerkin approach

This paper deals with the studies of sloshing of liquid in partially filled rectangular composite containers subjected to external excitation. The governing equation for inviscid fluid is written as pressure variable form. At each time step, the pressure is evaluated using the meshless local Petrov–Galerkin (MLPG) approach. A local symmetric weak form (LSWF) for linearized sloshing is developed, and a truly meshless method, based on LSWF and moving least squares (MLS) approximation, is presented for the solution of Laplace equation with the requisite boundary conditions. The effectiveness of the developed algorithm is demonstrated through few numerical examples. The comparison of results in terms of natural slosh frequencies, sloshing amplitudes and hydrodynamic pressures obtained in the present investigation are made with those available in the reported literature. To observe the change in the total liquid response due fluid–structure interaction effects, parametric studies are carried out for different cases by varying the fibre orientations and wall thicknesses in the laminated container wall. The present meshless method based on LSWF is found to be simple and attractive with a great potential in engineering applications.