Modeling & Simulation

in CFD
 Phases of Computational Modeling &
Simulation
Physical System
(Existing or Proposed)

Conceptual Mathematical Numerical

Modeling Modeling Discretization

Representation of Numerical Solution Computer

Numerical Solution of the Computer Programming
Program
Conceptual Modeling of the
Physical System
To develop specification of the physical
systems and its environment:

Identifying the relevant physical events,

or sequence of events;

Determining the possible coupling of

different physical processes.
Mathematical Modeling of the Physical System (a)
(a) Introducing simplifications/assumptions into the
mathematical model of the physical system
considered.
Usually, the simplifications are made for either of
the following aspects:
the dimensionality of the problem
or
the geometry
or
the equations
or
possibly all three
Mathematical Modeling of the Physical System (b)

(b) Complete formulation of all of the partial

differential equations (PDEs) for all elements of the
physical system, i.e.

conservation equations
and
auxiliary closure models

(c) Specification of all appropriate initial/boundary

conditions for the physical system
Mathematical Modeling of the Physical System (c)

Observations:
As a rule the simpler the geometry that one is
willing to accept the more physics that can be
included in the model.
Restrictions of computer time and storage may
limit the range of physical and geometrical
scales that can be simulated.
A model of limited, but known, applicability is
often more useful than a more complete model.
Any mathematical model, regardless of its
physical level of detail, is by definition a
simplification of reality.
Discretization of the Mathematical Model

Discretization of continuum domain into a finite

numbers of discrete sub-domains (i.e. grid or mesh
generation)
Conversion of continuum mathematics into discrete
mathematics, i.e. discretization of differential
equations
Development of numerical algorithms and solution
procedures for solving the discrete equations
Discretization of Continuum Domain
Discretization of Differential Equations

In the equation discretization phase, the following

questions are to be dealt with:

Consistency of the discrete equations with the

PDEs
Stability of the numerical method
Approximation of mathematical singularities
Differences in zones of influence between the
continuum and discrete systems
Numerical Algorithm Development

Algorithm development depends on

extending concept of numerical analysis with
close attention to the compatibility between:

algorithm
and
computer architecture
 Classification of Computers (a)

Microcomputer (PC)
Workstation
Minicomputer (Obsolete)
Mainframe/Server
Supercomputer (having the order of giga (109 )
flops)
 Classification of Computers (b)
SISD (Sequential Instruction, Single-Data stream)
Machine that processes data through a single CPU,
executing one instruction after another
SIMD (Sequential Instruction, Multiple-Data stream)
Machine that has several processing units, all
supervised by a string control unit. Each processor
receives the same instruction at any cycle but
utilizes different data coming in separate data
streams; e.g. A vector processor (also called an
array processor)
MIMD (Multiple Instruction, Multiple-Data stream)
Machine (the most promising of the assemblies for
parallel processing) that uses many processing units,
each executing instructions and utilizing data that
are independent of the instructions and data used by
the other CPUs
Evolution of CPU Performance
Computer Programming of the Discrete
Model

Conversion of the numerical algorithms and

solution procedures adopted into a computer
program code.

Verification and Validation of the computer

code.
Classification of Computer Code
Research code is to explore feasibility,
understanding and potential for future
applications

Production code is for direct application by

an independent user.
A production code must be:
"ROBUST"

"USER FRIENDLY" in the sense that the code is

clearly expressed, well documented and
straightforward to use; above all its limitations and
accuracy must be clearly identified.
What is Verification of Computational
Solution?

Verification is the process to determine

whether the mathematical model is solved
correctly, i.e.

Solving the Equations Right

Verification of Computer Code

A computer code should be verified by

its author concerning:
1. the internal numerical accuracy of a code
2. the sensitivity of results to variations in
the numerical algorithms adopted
3. the accuracy and implementation of
boundary/initial conditions
What is Validation of Computational
Solution?
Validation is the process of assessing
the accuracy of the simulation model
for its domain of application, i.e.
Solving the Right Equations:
Right model equations

Right numerical techniques

Validation Process of Computer Code
a) Numerical validation of the numerical scheme
which includes grid-size and time-step refinement
study to verify:

the consistency of the scheme

the convergence of the numerical solution

b) Validation of the computer code against

benchmark solutions for specific classes of
problems.
c) Comparison with the reliable experimental results
to assess:

the physical approximations

the underlying assumptions
the overall quality of the solution
Experimental Works to Support CFD
To provide data for the evaluation of a
mathematical model, it requires that all the
initial/boundary conditions are the same in both
computation and experiment
To supplement a mathematical model by
providing empirical data, e.g. turbulence
modeling constants
To provide information about flow phenomena
prior to mathematical modeling
Validation against Experiment
Numerical Solution of the Computer
Program Model
Generating numerical solution on a specified spatial
grid size and distribution using a specified time step:

Issues to be dealt with:

Spatial convergence
Temporal convergence
Iterative convergence
Round-off error of computer

Performing parametric simulations of the physical

system
Representation of the Numerical
Solution
To present and interpret properly the
computational solution through:
Determining the best methods of
presenting the numerical solution to the
intended audiences
Construction of continuous functions
based on the discrete solutions obtained
 Numerical Flow Visualization

2D/3D contour plots of scalar quantities

Velocity vector presentation

Particle tracing (streak lines)

Animated flow visualization (movies)

Contour Plots
Velocity Vector Field
 Streaklines Plot
(Flow over an inclined plate)
 Streaklines Plot
(Wing vortex form F-20)
 An Example of Modeling & Simulation
In a Fast Breed Reactor (FBR) vessel, coolant flow issued from
core is deflected by upper core structure, rises along vessel wall,
impinging on free surface as shown below. Water experiments of
simplified geometry of such situation in FBR vessel were
performed in order to investigate the interaction of free surface
and flow impinging on free surface.
Tentative Topics
1. Partial Differential Equations
2. Numerical Discretization of PDEs
3. Solution of Linear Equation Systems
4. Numerical Solutions for Model Transport
Equations
5. Numerical Solution of Incompressible
Flows
 END
Invest time sufficiently and effectively
CFD could be fun/enjoyable to learn