A parallel adaptive grid algorithm for computational shock hydrodynamics

Adaptive Mesh Refinement (AMR) algorithms that dynamically match the local resolution of the computational grid to the numerical solution being sought have emerged as powerful tools for solving problems that contain disparate physical scales. In particular several workers have demonstrated the effectiveness of employing an adaptive, hierarchical block-structured grid system for time-accurate simulations of complex shock wave phenomena. Here we present an overview of one such block-structured AMR algorithm. Our formulation has progressed far beyond the development stage to become a reliable numerical tool for performing detailed investigations of complex flows. While our refinement machinery is not tied to a specific application and is intended for general use, in this paper we adopt detonation phenomena as a theme so as to provide a sense of purpose.