The implementation of the graphics of program EAGLE: A numerical grid generation code on NASA Langley SNS computer system

Program EAGLE (Eglin Arbitrary Geometry Implicit Euler) Numerical Grid Generation System is a composite (multi-block) algebraic or elliptic grid generation system designed to discretize the domain in and/or around any arbitrarily shaped three dimensional regions. This system combines a boundary conforming surface generation scheme and includes plotting routines designed to take full advantage of the DISSPLA Graphics Package (Version 9.0). Program EAGLE is written to compile and execute efficiently on any Cray machine with or without solid state disk (SSD) devices. Also, the code uses namelist inputs which are supported by all Cray machines using the FORTRAN compiler CFT77. The namelist inputs makes it easier for the user to understand the inputs and operation of Program EAGLE. EAGLE's numerical grid generator is constructed in the following form: main program, EGG (executive routine); subroutine SURFAC (surface generation routine); subroutine GRID (grid generation routine); and subroutine GRDPLOT (grid plotting routines). The EAGLE code was modified to use on the NASA-LaRC SNS computer (Cray 2S) system. During the modification a conversion program was developed for the output data of EAGLE's subroutine GRID to permit the data to be graphically displayed by IRIS workstations, using Plot3D. The code of program EAGLE was modified to make operational subroutine GRDPLOT (using DI-3000 Graphics Software Packages) on the NASA-LaRC SNS Computer System. How to implement graphically, the output data of subroutine GRID was determined on any NASA-LaRC graphics terminal that has access to the SNS Computer System DI-300 Graphics Software Packages. A Quick Reference User Guide was developed for the use of program EAGLE on the NASA-LaRC SNS Computer System. One or more application program(s) was illustrated using program EAGLE on the NASA LaRC SNS Computer System, with emphasis on graphics illustrations

JIGSAW-GEO (1.0): locally orthogonal staggered unstructured grid generation for general circulation modelling on the sphere

An algorithm for the generation of non-uniform, locally-orthogonal staggered unstructured spheroidal grids is described. This technique is designed to generate very high-quality staggered Voronoi/Delaunay meshes appropriate for general circulation modelling on the sphere, including applications to atmospheric simulation, ocean-modelling and numerical weather prediction. Using a recently developed Frontal-Delaunay refinement technique, a method for the construction of high-quality unstructured spheroidal Delaunay triangulations is introduced. A locally-orthogonal polygonal grid, derived from the associated Voronoi diagram, is computed as the staggered dual. It is shown that use of the Frontal-Delaunay refinement technique allows for the generation of very high-quality unstructured triangulations, satisfying a-priori bounds on element size and shape. Grid-quality is further improved through the application of hill-climbing type optimisation techniques. Overall, the algorithm is shown to produce grids with very high element quality and smooth grading characteristics, while imposing relatively low computational expense. A selection of uniform and non-uniform spheroidal grids appropriate for high-resolution, multi-scale general circulation modelling are presented. These grids are shown to satisfy the geometric constraints associated with contemporary unstructured C-grid type finite-volume models, including the Model for Prediction Across Scales (MPAS-O). The use of user-defined mesh-spacing functions to generate smoothly graded, non-uniform grids for multi-resolution type studies is discussed in detail.Comment: Final revisions, as per: Engwirda, D.: JIGSAW-GEO (1.0): locally orthogonal staggered unstructured grid generation for general circulation modelling on the sphere, Geosci. Model Dev., 10, 2117-2140, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-10-2117-2017, 201

Magnetic Flux Braiding: Force-Free Equilibria and Current Sheets

We use a numerical nonlinear multigrid magnetic relaxation technique to investigate the generation of current sheets in three-dimensional magnetic flux braiding experiments. We are able to catalogue the relaxed nonlinear force-free equilibria resulting from the application of deformations to an initially undisturbed region of plasma containing a uniform, vertical magnetic field. The deformations are manifested by imposing motions on the bounding planes to which the magnetic field is anchored. Once imposed the new distribution of magnetic footpoints are then taken to be fixed, so that the rest of the plasma must then relax to a new equilibrium configuration. For the class of footpoint motions we have examined, we find that singular and nonsingular equilibria can be generated. By singular we mean that within the limits imposed by numerical resolution we find that there is no convergence to a well-defined equilibrium as the number of grid points in the numerical domain is increased. These singular equilibria contain current "sheets" of ever-increasing current intensity and decreasing width; they occur when the footpoint motions exceed a certain threshold, and must include both twist and shear to be effective. On the basis of these results we contend that flux braiding will indeed result in significant current generation. We discuss the implications of our results for coronal heating.Comment: 13 pages, 12 figure

Automated Grid Generator for MHD Flow Simulations Made With the Gems Code

Numerical simulations for Hypersonic Vehicle Power System (HVEPS) Project were based on a multi-domain, general Navier-Stokes Solver Code called the GEMS® Code. The GEMS® Code was in the process of being extended to solve for plasma flows with both self-induced as well as externally-applied magnetic fields. GEMS® is also capable of simulating both laminar and turbulent flow in unbounded as well as ducted flows. For application to the ducted Plasma flows generated experimentally in the HVEPS program, GEMS® was set up to calculate turbulent flow in 1-3D (dimensional) duct geometries in general and in 2D, 3D ones for purposes of numerical simulation in HVEPS Project. To model a real small scale experiment for Conductivity and MHD plasma channel flows it was decided to consider turbulent flow in both 2D and 3D duct geometries and to compare the results to experimental data obtained in HVEPS, as well as with numerical results from other known codes, such as the Mach 2 Code in 2D duct geometry. Accurate MHD channel flow simulations should require only 3D calculations, since MHD power generation is a completely three-dimensional phenomenon. In 2002, the latest generation GEMS® code (GEMS – General Equations and Mesh Solver), for CFD problems was created by Dr. Ding Li and Dr. Charles Merkle. This code can run in 1D, 2D and 3D as options and will be mentioned below. The problem attacked by the author of this thesis was to prepare a numerical method to generate appropriate and acceptable computational domains with acceptable grid formats that provide for convergence of numerical simulations made with GEMS® Code. In numerical modeling the HVEPS facility at UTSI the following computational domains were required: • a combustor chamber area; • a supersonic nozzle; • an adaptor fitted to the nozzle (ceramic ring as nozzle extension); • a straight conductivity channel with 6 dielectrics rings; • a conical MHD plasma channel with 6 dielectric rings; • an air surrounding nozzle and channel; • a channel extension as option for grid generation algorithm. In addition to the variety of computational domains modeled, boundary layers required near the walls must be adequately resolved by the computational grids. Flexibility of grid generation by UTGRID®, which will be discussed later, in section 3.9, boundary layer issues, allows choosing of appropriate grid aspect ratios to provide convergence of the solutions in boundary layer regions. Known grid generators are incapable of working in an automated mode, and the process of grid generation for complicated domains, like the diagonal wall MHD channel, is an extremely time-consuming and difficult task. The author developed a semi-automated process for creating the meshed domains for the CFD modeling in the HVEPS project. Thus, within the period 2002-2004 a new generation code, UTGRID®, for automatic and flexible grid generation was created by the author, which and links the set of the following programs together: • GEMS® (Created by Dr. Ding Li and Dr. Charles Merkle) • PGRID® (Created by Dr. Ding Li) • UTGRD® (Created by the author of this thesis) • GAMBIT™ (a commercial product associated with FLUENT®

New Challenges in Grid Generation and Adaptivity for Scientific Computing

This volume collects selected contributions from the “Fourth Tetrahedron Workshop on Grid Generation for Numerical Computations”, which was held in Verbania, Italy in July 2013. The previous editions of this Workshop were hosted by the Weierstrass Institute in Berlin (2005), by INRIA Rocquencourt in Paris (2007), and by Swansea University (2010). This book covers different, though related, aspects of the field: the generation of quality grids for complex three-dimensional geometries; parallel mesh generation algorithms; mesh adaptation, including both theoretical and implementation aspects; grid generation and adaptation on surfaces – all with an interesting mix of numerical analysis, computer science and strongly application-oriented problems

Compliance verification methodology for renewable generation integration. Application to island power grids

261 p.This thesis proposes a new methodology to validate the integration of renewable generation to install in island power grids. In weak power grids, the penetration of non-synchronous power generation can be challenging. Furthermore, system operators often impose strict technical requirements. In order to streamline grid code compliance verification, this thesis presents a simulation based procedure focused on most critical rules in isolated power grids: Frequency Ride-Through, Low Voltage Ride-Through and voltage and current unbalance. The methodology presented in this thesis proposes a generic and reduced grid model as equivalent system suitable for both simulating the static and dynamic performance of a selected power system for interconnection and design purposes, and for verifying the compliance of aforementioned technical requirements. Depending on the disturbance to be represented and on sensitivity studies of the model parameters, the generic grid model must be then particularised, in order to obtain a particular grid model. Finally, the grid model has to be parameterised based on grid characteristics and grid code limits, resulting into a parameterised grid model. In the present thesis, the methodology is applied to three study cases, where the installation of a renewable power plant is under study: a medium size island grid, Terceira island in the Açores and Fuerteventura-Lanzarote system. The numerical application to these three study cases backs the validity of the methodology proposed in the present thesis

A plug-in based tool for numerical grid generation

The presented research summarizes (1) the development of a rapid prototyping framework, (2) the application of advance meshing algorithms, data structures, programming languages and libraries toward the field of numerical surface-water modeling (NSWM), (3) the application of (2) in (1), and (4) a real world application. The result of the research was the development of a prototype grid generator tool, the Mesh Generation and Refinement Tool (MGRT). MGRT supports a customizable interface and plug-and-play functionality through the use of plug-ins and incorporates a plug-in based topology/geometry system. A detailed explanation of the data structures, algorithms, and tools used to construct the MGRT are presented. Additionally, the construction of a mesh of Mobile Bay is presented. This represents a real world application of the MGRT. This tool provides many benefits over current tools in NSWM, which include faster meshing and the ability the use any grid generator that can be plugged-in