In this thesis, we produce a rigorous and quantitative analysis of the errors introduced by finite difference schemes into strong constraint 4D-Variational (4D-Var) data assimilation. Strong constraint 4D-Var data assimilation is a method that solves a particular kind of inverse problem; given a set of observations and a numerical model for a physical system together with a priori information on the initial condition, estimate an improved initial condition for the numerical model, known as the analysis vector. This method has many forms of error affecting the accuracy of the analysis vector, and is derived under the assumption that the numerical model is perfect, when in reality this is not true. Therefore it is important to assess whether this assumption is realistic and if not, how the method should be modified to account for model error. Here we analyse how the errors introduced by finite difference schemes used as the numerical model, affect the accuracy of the analysis vector. Initially the 1D linear advection equation is considered as our physical system. All forms of error, other than those introduced by finite difference schemes, are initially removed. The error introduced by `representative schemes' is considered in terms of numerical dissipation and numerical dispersion. A spectral approach is successfully implemented to analyse the impact on the analysis vector, examining the effects on unresolvable wavenumber components and the l2-norm of the error. Subsequently, a similar also successful analysis is conducted when observation errors are re-introduced to the problem. We then explore how the results can be extended to weak constraint 4D-Var. The 2D linear advection equation is then considered as our physical system, demonstrating how the results from the 1D problem extend to 2D. The linearised shallow water equations extend the problem further, highlighting the difficulties associated with analysing a coupled system of PDEs.

In this thesis we address several analytical and numerical problems related with the general relativistic study of black hole space-times and boson stars. We have developed a new centered finite volume method based on the flux splitting approach. The techniques for dealing with the singularity, steep gradients and apparent horizon location, are studied in the context of a single Schwarzschild black hole, in both spherically symmetric and full 3D simulations. We present an extended study of gauge instabilities related with a class of singularity avoiding slicing conditions and show that, contrary to previous claims, these instabilities are not generic for evolved gauge conditions. We developed an alternative to the current space coordinate conditions, based on a generalized Almost Killing Equation. We performed a general relativistic study regarding the long term stability of Mixed-State Boson Stars configurations and showed that they are suitable candidates for dark matter models. / En esta tesis abordamos varios problemas analíticos y numéricos relacionados con el estudio de agujeros negros relativistas y modelos de materia oscura. Hemos desarrollado un nuevo método de volúmenes finitos centrados basado en el enfoque de la división de flujo. Discutimos las técnicas para tratar con la singularidad, los gradientes abruptos y la localización del horizonte aparente en el contexto de un solo agujero negro de Schwarzschild, en simulaciones tanto con simetría esférica como completamente tridimensionales. Hemos extendido el estudio de una familia de condiciones de foliaciones evitadoras de singularidad y mostrado que ciertas inestabilidades no son genéricas para condiciones de gauge dinámicas. Desarrollamos una alternativa a las prescripciones actuales basada en una Almost Killing Equation generalizada. Hemos realizado también un estudio con respecto a la estabilidad a largo plazo de configuraciones de Mixed-State Boson Stars, el cual sugiere que estas podrían ser candidatas apropiadas para modelos de materia oscura.

Submitted by PPG Engenharia e Tecnologia de Materiais (engenharia.pg.materiais@pucrs.br) on 2018-06-05T13:28:29Z No. of bitstreams: 1 frantz2018simulacoes.pdf: 23131075 bytes, checksum: e748910d1820968a07c86be9461b7489 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Sheila Dias (sheila.dias@pucrs.br) on 2018-06-12T12:40:17Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 frantz2018simulacoes.pdf: 23131075 bytes, checksum: e748910d1820968a07c86be9461b7489 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-06-12T12:49:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 frantz2018simulacoes.pdf: 23131075 bytes, checksum: e748910d1820968a07c86be9461b7489 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-03-09 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior - CAPES / This work investigates the method of large-eddy simulation (LES) in the context of gravity currents, which is found necessary since it allows a substantial increase in the order of magnitude of the characteristic Reynolds number used in numerical simulations, approaching them with natural scales, in addition to significantly reducing the computational cost. The implicit large eddy simulation (ILES) methodology, based on the spectral vanishing viscosity model, is unprecedentedly employed in the context of gravity currents, is compared against with explicit methods such as the static and dynamic Smagorisnky. The evaluation of the models is performed based on statistics from a direct numerical simulation (DNS). Results demonstrate that the first model based purely on numerical dissipation, introduced by means of the second order derivative, generates better correlations with the direct simulation. Finally, experimental cases of the literature, in different flow configurations, are reproduced numerically showing good agreement in terms of the front position evolution. / Este trabalho investiga o m?todo de simula??o de grandes escalas (LES) no contexto de correntes gravitacionais. O mesmo se faz necess?rio, visto que possibilita um aumento substancial da ordem de grandeza do n?mero de Reynolds caracter?stico utilizado em simula??es num?ricas, aproximando os mesmos de escalas naturais, al?m de reduzir significativamente o custo computacional dos c?lculos. A avalia??o dos modelos ? realizada utilizando uma base de dados de simula??o num?rica direta (DNS). A metodologia de simula??o de grandes escalas impl?cita (ILES), baseada no modelo de viscosidade turbulenta espectral, ? colocado a prova de maneira in?dita no contexto de correntes de gravidade com m?todos expl?citos dispon?veis na literatura. Resultados demonstram que o mesmo, baseado puramente em dissipa??o num?rica introduzida por meio do comportamento dos esquemas de derivada de segunda ordem, gera melhores correla??es com as estat?sticas baseadas em campos m?dios da simula??o direta. Por fim, casos experimentais da literatura, em diferentes configura??es de escoamento, s?o reproduzidos numericamente.