No description available.

NR 20140805

No description available.

The primary objective of this study is to develop a sliding interface method for simulations involving relative rotational grid motion suitable for unstructured grid topologies. The present method alleviates computationally expensive grid deformation, remeshing, and hole cutting procedures. Rotational motion is accomplished by rigidly rotating a subdomain representing the moving component. At the subdomain interface boundary, the faces along the interfaces are extruded into the adjacent subdomain to create new volume elements and provide a one-cell overlap. These new volume elements close the control volumes for the nodes on the interface surface and allow a flux to be computed across the subdomain interface. An interface flux is computed independently for each subdomain. The values of the solution variables and other quantities for the nodes created by the extrusion process are found by interpolation. The extrusion is done so that the interpolation will maintain information as localized as possible. A parallel implementation of the neighbor search is used to find the extruded points in the adjacent subdomain. The method has been implemented in a parallel, node-centered finite volume, high-resolution viscous flow solver. The method does not impose any restrictions on the subdomain interface aside from the axisymmetric limitation required for rotational motion. In addition, the grid on the subdomain interface is arbitrary. The boundary surfaces between the two subdomains can have independent grids from one another. They do not have to connect in a one-to-one manner and there are no symmetry or pattern restrictions placed on the surface grid. A variety of numerical simulations were performed on several small-scale model problems to examine conservation of the interface flux. Overall flux conservation errors were found to be comparable to that for fully connected and fully conservative simulations. In addition, excellent agreement was obtained with both theoretical and experimental results. Three large-scale applications were also used to validate the method and highlight some of the advantages of the sliding interface method compared to the current state-of- the-art for unstructured grid applications. This sliding interface method requires no geometric modifications and has significantly shorter run times Furthermore, there were no apparent adverse effects on the numerical solutions by not strictly enforcing flux conservation at the subdomain boundary.

In this thesis, a numerical method is developed for simulating non-isothermal multiphase flows, which are important in many technical applications such as crystal growth and welding. The method is based on the arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian method of Li (2013). The interface is represented explicitly by mesh lines, and is tracked by an adaptive moving unstructured mesh. The $P2-P1d$ finite element method (FEM) is used for discretisation and the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations are solved by the uzawa method. Firstly, a thorough study is presented on the method's capability in numerically representing the force balance condition on the interface. An inaccurate representation of this condition induces the non-physical spurious currents, which degrade the simulation accuracy especially when the viscous damping is weak (small Ohnesorge number, $Oh$). For the example of a circular/spherical droplet, the interfacial tension and the associated pressure jump are exactly balanced numerically and thus the static Laplace solution exists in our method. The stability of this solution is examined numerically. The amplitude of the dimensionless spurious currents is found to be around $10^{−15}$ for $Oh \geq 10^{−3} $. Another benchmark test is the axisymmetric oscillation of a freesurface droplet/bubble. The simulation results are in good agreement with the analytical solution for $Oh = 10^{−3}$. This is by far the first successful simulation of droplet/bubble oscillation with such weak viscous damping and it demonstrates the ability of our method in simulating flows with strong capillary forces. Secondly, a numerical treatment of interface topology changes is incorporated into our method for studying problems with interface breakup. Thanks to the adaptive mesh generator, the thin region between the interface boundary and another boundary consists of one layer of elements. The interface topology change is performed once the minimum distance between the two boundaries falls below a pre-set scale $l_{breakup}$ . The numerical implementation is verified through two different examples: dripping faucet and droplet coalescence. Remarkably good agreement has been obtained with the experimental results. The simulation of the low Oh dripping problem shows both the accuracy and robustness of our method. The simulation of droplet coalescence demonstrates the great advantage of our method in solving problems with a large disparity in length scales. Finally, an FEM solver for temperature is developed and the non-isothermal effects are included in our method for the purpose of simulating non-isothermal multiphase flows. The modified method is validated to be accurate through three benchmark examples: natural convection in a cavity, thermocapillary convection of two layers, and droplet migration subject to a temperature gradient. Our method is then applied to investigate the liquid bridge breakup with thermocapillary effect. The non-isothermal liquid bridge breakup in the viscous and inertial regimes are studied. It has been found that the inertial regime breakup exhibits different pinchoff shapes as the Capillary number increases, and that the viscous regime breakup is accelerated by the thermocapillary motion.

This thesis deals with a theoretical and an experimental exploration of squeeze film levitation (SFL) of light objects. The investigations aimed to find the important design parameters controlling this levitation mechanism and also to suggest an alternative way to implement SFL. The study, through computer modelling and experimental validation, focused on Poisson's contraction effect for generating SFL. A finite element model (ANSYS) was verified by experimental testing of five different plate designs. Each plate was subjected to a uniaxial plain stress by an arrangement of two hard piezoelectric actuators (PZT) bonded to the bottom of the plate and driven with DC or AC voltages. It was observed that pulsation of a dimple or crest shaped elastic deformation along the longitudinal axis in the central area of the plate was created because of Poisson's contraction. This Poisson's effect generated the squeeze-film between the plate and the levitated object. The separation distance between a floating lightweight object and the plate was analysed using computational fluid dynamics (ANSYS CFX) through creation of a modelling model for the air-film entrapped between the two interacting surfaces - a typical three-dimensional fluid-solid interaction system (FSI). Additionally, the levitation distance has been experimentally measured by a Laser Sensor. A satisfactory agreement has been found between model predictions and experimental results. Two levitation systems, one based on a horn transducer (Langevin type) and the other one in the form of a plain rectangular plate made of Aluminium and firmly fastened at both ends with a surface-mounted piezoelectric actuator, were compared in this thesis. Both devices were based on SFL mechanism. Evidently, the performances of both designs were greatly influenced by the design structure and in particular by the driving plate characteristics such as plate size and geometry as well as the driving boundary conditions. To this end, physical experiments were carried out and it was found that the device utilising horn-type transducer yields better levitation performance. Ultimately, the research explained the confusion between three approaches to non-contact levitation through literature review and also pointed out some essential parameters like piezoelectric actuators location, material of the driving structure, coupled-field between the actuators and the driving structure and the fluid-solid interface that was existed between the excited plate and the levitated object.

Com os grandes avanços ocorridos na disponibilização de computadores, existe uma tendência contínua para a utilização de técnicas computacionais auxiliando no projeto de equipamentos de engenharia. Cada vez mais estão se obtendo resultados bastante próximos às condições reais, incluindo a simulação de motores de combustão interna. Neste sentido o presente trabalho tem o objetivo de analisar o escoamento turbulento no processo de admissão de ar em um motor operando em ciclo Diesel. A investigação é focada na determinação da influência do passo de tempo no cálculo do coeficiente de descarga e razão de swirl. Adicionalmente, o campo de velocidades, pressão, energia cinética turbulenta e outros parâmetros são apresentados e analisados, com o objetivo de auxiliar no entendimento da dinâmica envolvida. Essencialmente, dois modelos de turbulência são empregados, juntamente com dois tratamentos de parede. Seus resultados também são confrontados e discutidos. A geometria considerada é de um motor Fiat 1.9 L quatro tempos com duas válvulas. A análise é concentrada em um único cilindro. O pacote computacional utilizado é o Star-cd, e seu aplicativo es-ice. A independência de malha foi obtida, chegando a 1.672.056 volumes. Os resultados são apresentados de duas formas. A primeira delas refere-se a resultados de simulações em regime permanente, realizadas em boa parte por outros autores, com ênfase na determinação do coeficiente de descarga e razão de swirl, estes confrontados com valores experimentais, visando à validação da metodologia. Fica evidente a importância da escolha do modelo de turbulência na simulação de motores de combustão interna, assim como das funções de interpolação utilizadas. Na segunda parte os resultados referem-se a uma análise transiente, considerando o movimento do pistão e válvulas, a 1500 RPM. Observa-se a grande exigência quanto ao passo de tempo requerido no transiente real, ficando demonstrado que para esta velocidade o menor passo de tempo utilizado, 0,05° (5.5555E-6 s), ainda é insuficiente para alguns momentos do ciclo. É possível notar maior influência no coeficiente de descarga do que na razão de swirl, em relação aos passos de tempo utilizados. A forte dependência do modelo de turbulência nos resultados obtidos é mais uma vez confirmada, conforme o esperado, já que as hipóteses sobre a física do fenômeno são diferentes em cada modelo. Os resultados quanto ao tratamento na parede não apresentaram significantes diferenças, quando aplicados junto ao modelo de turbulência k-ω SST. / Considering the increase in the availability of computers, there is a continuing trend toward the use of computational simulation aiding in the design of engineering equipments. Reasonable results, close to the real conditions, are obtained, including the simulation of internal combustion engines. In this way, the present work has the objective of analyzing the turbulent flow in the air intake process of an engine operating in Diesel cycle. The investigation focuses on the determination of the time step in the calculation of the air discharge coefficient and swirl ratio. Additionally, the turbulent kinetic energy, pressure and velocity fields, besides other parameters, are presented and analyzed, with the objective of aiding in the understanding of the involved dynamics. Essentially, two turbulence models are employed, together with two wall treatments. Their results are also confronted and discussed. The considered geometry is a four-stroke, 1.9-L FIAT engine, with two valves. The analysis is concentrated on a single cylinder. The software package used is the Star-cd, and its application es-ice. The mesh independence is carried out, arriving in 1.672.056 volumes. The results are presented in two ways. The first one refers to simulation results of the steady state, also accomplished by other authors, with emphasis in the determination of the discharge coefficient and swirl ratio. These data are confronted with experimental values, aiming to validate the applied methodology. The importance of the choice of the turbulent model becomes evident in the simulation of internal combustion engines, as well as the interpolation functions used. In the second part the results refer to a transient analysis, considering the valves and piston movement, at 1500 rpm. It is observed the great demand on time step required is observed for the real transient, demonstrating that, for this speed, the smallest time step used, 0.05º (5.5555E-6 s), is still insufficient for some moments of the cycle. Also regarding the time step, it is possible to notice a greater influence in the discharge coefficient than in the swirl ratio. The strong dependence of the turbulence model on the results is once again confirmed, as expected, since the hypotheses about the physics of the phenomenon are different in each model. The results, regarding the wall treatment, presented no significant differences, when applied together with the SST k-ω turbulence model.

Com os grandes avanços ocorridos na disponibilização de computadores, existe uma tendência contínua para a utilização de técnicas computacionais auxiliando no projeto de equipamentos de engenharia. Cada vez mais estão se obtendo resultados bastante próximos às condições reais, incluindo a simulação de motores de combustão interna. Neste sentido o presente trabalho tem o objetivo de analisar o escoamento turbulento no processo de admissão de ar em um motor operando em ciclo Diesel. A investigação é focada na determinação da influência do passo de tempo no cálculo do coeficiente de descarga e razão de swirl. Adicionalmente, o campo de velocidades, pressão, energia cinética turbulenta e outros parâmetros são apresentados e analisados, com o objetivo de auxiliar no entendimento da dinâmica envolvida. Essencialmente, dois modelos de turbulência são empregados, juntamente com dois tratamentos de parede. Seus resultados também são confrontados e discutidos. A geometria considerada é de um motor Fiat 1.9 L quatro tempos com duas válvulas. A análise é concentrada em um único cilindro. O pacote computacional utilizado é o Star-cd, e seu aplicativo es-ice. A independência de malha foi obtida, chegando a 1.672.056 volumes. Os resultados são apresentados de duas formas. A primeira delas refere-se a resultados de simulações em regime permanente, realizadas em boa parte por outros autores, com ênfase na determinação do coeficiente de descarga e razão de swirl, estes confrontados com valores experimentais, visando à validação da metodologia. Fica evidente a importância da escolha do modelo de turbulência na simulação de motores de combustão interna, assim como das funções de interpolação utilizadas. Na segunda parte os resultados referem-se a uma análise transiente, considerando o movimento do pistão e válvulas, a 1500 RPM. Observa-se a grande exigência quanto ao passo de tempo requerido no transiente real, ficando demonstrado que para esta velocidade o menor passo de tempo utilizado, 0,05° (5.5555E-6 s), ainda é insuficiente para alguns momentos do ciclo. É possível notar maior influência no coeficiente de descarga do que na razão de swirl, em relação aos passos de tempo utilizados. A forte dependência do modelo de turbulência nos resultados obtidos é mais uma vez confirmada, conforme o esperado, já que as hipóteses sobre a física do fenômeno são diferentes em cada modelo. Os resultados quanto ao tratamento na parede não apresentaram significantes diferenças, quando aplicados junto ao modelo de turbulência k-ω SST. / Considering the increase in the availability of computers, there is a continuing trend toward the use of computational simulation aiding in the design of engineering equipments. Reasonable results, close to the real conditions, are obtained, including the simulation of internal combustion engines. In this way, the present work has the objective of analyzing the turbulent flow in the air intake process of an engine operating in Diesel cycle. The investigation focuses on the determination of the time step in the calculation of the air discharge coefficient and swirl ratio. Additionally, the turbulent kinetic energy, pressure and velocity fields, besides other parameters, are presented and analyzed, with the objective of aiding in the understanding of the involved dynamics. Essentially, two turbulence models are employed, together with two wall treatments. Their results are also confronted and discussed. The considered geometry is a four-stroke, 1.9-L FIAT engine, with two valves. The analysis is concentrated on a single cylinder. The software package used is the Star-cd, and its application es-ice. The mesh independence is carried out, arriving in 1.672.056 volumes. The results are presented in two ways. The first one refers to simulation results of the steady state, also accomplished by other authors, with emphasis in the determination of the discharge coefficient and swirl ratio. These data are confronted with experimental values, aiming to validate the applied methodology. The importance of the choice of the turbulent model becomes evident in the simulation of internal combustion engines, as well as the interpolation functions used. In the second part the results refer to a transient analysis, considering the valves and piston movement, at 1500 rpm. It is observed the great demand on time step required is observed for the real transient, demonstrating that, for this speed, the smallest time step used, 0.05º (5.5555E-6 s), is still insufficient for some moments of the cycle. Also regarding the time step, it is possible to notice a greater influence in the discharge coefficient than in the swirl ratio. The strong dependence of the turbulence model on the results is once again confirmed, as expected, since the hypotheses about the physics of the phenomenon are different in each model. The results, regarding the wall treatment, presented no significant differences, when applied together with the SST k-ω turbulence model.

Com os grandes avanços ocorridos na disponibilização de computadores, existe uma tendência contínua para a utilização de técnicas computacionais auxiliando no projeto de equipamentos de engenharia. Cada vez mais estão se obtendo resultados bastante próximos às condições reais, incluindo a simulação de motores de combustão interna. Neste sentido o presente trabalho tem o objetivo de analisar o escoamento turbulento no processo de admissão de ar em um motor operando em ciclo Diesel. A investigação é focada na determinação da influência do passo de tempo no cálculo do coeficiente de descarga e razão de swirl. Adicionalmente, o campo de velocidades, pressão, energia cinética turbulenta e outros parâmetros são apresentados e analisados, com o objetivo de auxiliar no entendimento da dinâmica envolvida. Essencialmente, dois modelos de turbulência são empregados, juntamente com dois tratamentos de parede. Seus resultados também são confrontados e discutidos. A geometria considerada é de um motor Fiat 1.9 L quatro tempos com duas válvulas. A análise é concentrada em um único cilindro. O pacote computacional utilizado é o Star-cd, e seu aplicativo es-ice. A independência de malha foi obtida, chegando a 1.672.056 volumes. Os resultados são apresentados de duas formas. A primeira delas refere-se a resultados de simulações em regime permanente, realizadas em boa parte por outros autores, com ênfase na determinação do coeficiente de descarga e razão de swirl, estes confrontados com valores experimentais, visando à validação da metodologia. Fica evidente a importância da escolha do modelo de turbulência na simulação de motores de combustão interna, assim como das funções de interpolação utilizadas. Na segunda parte os resultados referem-se a uma análise transiente, considerando o movimento do pistão e válvulas, a 1500 RPM. Observa-se a grande exigência quanto ao passo de tempo requerido no transiente real, ficando demonstrado que para esta velocidade o menor passo de tempo utilizado, 0,05° (5.5555E-6 s), ainda é insuficiente para alguns momentos do ciclo. É possível notar maior influência no coeficiente de descarga do que na razão de swirl, em relação aos passos de tempo utilizados. A forte dependência do modelo de turbulência nos resultados obtidos é mais uma vez confirmada, conforme o esperado, já que as hipóteses sobre a física do fenômeno são diferentes em cada modelo. Os resultados quanto ao tratamento na parede não apresentaram significantes diferenças, quando aplicados junto ao modelo de turbulência k-ω SST. / Considering the increase in the availability of computers, there is a continuing trend toward the use of computational simulation aiding in the design of engineering equipments. Reasonable results, close to the real conditions, are obtained, including the simulation of internal combustion engines. In this way, the present work has the objective of analyzing the turbulent flow in the air intake process of an engine operating in Diesel cycle. The investigation focuses on the determination of the time step in the calculation of the air discharge coefficient and swirl ratio. Additionally, the turbulent kinetic energy, pressure and velocity fields, besides other parameters, are presented and analyzed, with the objective of aiding in the understanding of the involved dynamics. Essentially, two turbulence models are employed, together with two wall treatments. Their results are also confronted and discussed. The considered geometry is a four-stroke, 1.9-L FIAT engine, with two valves. The analysis is concentrated on a single cylinder. The software package used is the Star-cd, and its application es-ice. The mesh independence is carried out, arriving in 1.672.056 volumes. The results are presented in two ways. The first one refers to simulation results of the steady state, also accomplished by other authors, with emphasis in the determination of the discharge coefficient and swirl ratio. These data are confronted with experimental values, aiming to validate the applied methodology. The importance of the choice of the turbulent model becomes evident in the simulation of internal combustion engines, as well as the interpolation functions used. In the second part the results refer to a transient analysis, considering the valves and piston movement, at 1500 rpm. It is observed the great demand on time step required is observed for the real transient, demonstrating that, for this speed, the smallest time step used, 0.05º (5.5555E-6 s), is still insufficient for some moments of the cycle. Also regarding the time step, it is possible to notice a greater influence in the discharge coefficient than in the swirl ratio. The strong dependence of the turbulence model on the results is once again confirmed, as expected, since the hypotheses about the physics of the phenomenon are different in each model. The results, regarding the wall treatment, presented no significant differences, when applied together with the SST k-ω turbulence model.

In this thesis our primary interest is in developing adaptive solution methods for parabolic and elliptic partial differential equations. The convection-diffusion equation is used as a representative test problem. Investigations are made into adaptive temporal solvers implementing only a few changes to existing software. This includes a comparison of commercial code against some more academic releases. A novel way to select step sizes for an adaptive BDF2 code is introduced. A chapter is included introducing some functional analysis that is required to understand aspects of the finite element method and error estimation. Two error estimators are derived and proofs of their error bounds are covered. A new finite element package is written, implementing a rather interesting error estimator in one dimension to drive a rather standard refinement/coarsening type of adaptivity. This is compared to a commercially available partial differential equation solver and an investigation into the properties of the two inspires the development of a new method designed to very quickly and directly equidistribute the errors between elements. This new method is not really a refinement technique but doesn't quite fit the traditional description of a moving mesh either. We show that this method is far more effective at equidistribution of errors than a simple moving mesh method and the original simple adaptive method. A simple extension of the new method is proposed that would be a mesh reconstruction method. Finally the new code is extended to solve steady-state problems in two dimensions. The mesh refinement method from one dimension does not offer a simple extension, so the error estimator is used to supply an impression of the local topology of the error on each element. This in turn allows us to develop a new anisotropic refinement algorithm, which is more in tune with the nature of the error on the parent element. Whilst the benefits observed in one dimension are not directly transferred into the two-dimensional case, the obtained meshes seem to better capture the topology of the solution.