Nonlocal Optimized Schwarz Methods for time-harmonic electromagnetics

We introduce a new domain decomposition strategy for time harmonic Maxwell's equations that is valid in the case of automatically generated subdomain partitions with possible presence of cross-points. The convergence of the algorithm is guaranteed and we present a complete analysis of the matrix form of the method. The method involves transmission matrices responsible for imposing coupling between subdomains. We discuss the choice of such matrices, their construction and the impact of this choice on the convergence of the domain decomposition algorithm. Numerical results and algorithms are provided

Proceedings for the ICASE Workshop on Heterogeneous Boundary Conditions

Domain Decomposition is a complex problem with many interesting aspects. The choice of decomposition can be made based on many different criteria, and the choice of interface of internal boundary conditions are numerous. The various regions under study may have different dynamical balances, indicating that different physical processes are dominating the flow in these regions. This conference was called in recognition of the need to more clearly define the nature of these complex problems. This proceedings is a collection of the presentations and the discussion groups

Numerical analysis of conservative unstructured discretisations for low Mach flows

This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving. https://authorservices.wiley.com/author-resources/Journal-Authors/licensing-and-open-access/open-access/self-archiving.htmlUnstructured meshes allow easily representing complex geometries and to refine in regions of interest without adding control volumes in unnecessary regions. However, numerical schemes used on unstructured grids have to be properly defined in order to minimise numerical errors. An assessment of a low-Mach algorithm for laminar and turbulent flows on unstructured meshes using collocated and staggered formulations is presented. For staggered formulations using cell centred velocity reconstructions the standard first-order method is shown to be inaccurate in low Mach flows on unstructured grids. A recently proposed least squares procedure for incompressible flows is extended to the low Mach regime and shown to significantly improve the behaviour of the algorithm. Regarding collocated discretisations, the odd-even pressure decoupling is handled through a kinetic energy conserving flux interpolation scheme. This approach is shown to efficiently handle variable-density flows. Besides, different face interpolations schemes for unstructured meshes are analysed. A kinetic energy preserving scheme is applied to the momentum equations, namely the Symmetry-Preserving (SP) scheme. Furthermore, a new approach to define the far-neighbouring nodes of the QUICK scheme is presented and analysed. The method is suitable for both structured and unstructured grids, either uniform or not. The proposed algorithm and the spatial schemes are assessed against a function reconstruction, a differentially heated cavity and a turbulent self-igniting diffusion flame. It is shown that the proposed algorithm accurately represents unsteady variable-density flows. Furthermore, the QUICK schemes shows close to second order behaviour on unstructured meshes and the SP is reliably used in all computations.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Hybridizable compatible finite element discretizations for numerical weather prediction: implementation and analysis

There is a current explosion of interest in new numerical methods for atmospheric modeling. A driving force behind this is the need to be able to simulate, with high efficiency, large-scale geophysical flows on increasingly more parallel computer systems. Many current operational models, including that of the UK Met Office, depend on orthogonal meshes, such as the latitude-longitude grid. This facilitates the development of finite difference discretizations with favorable numerical properties. However, such methods suffer from the ``pole problem," which prohibits the model to make efficient use of a large number of computing processors due to excessive concentration of grid-points at the poles. Recently developed finite element discretizations, known as ``compatible" finite elements, avoid this issue while maintaining the key numerical properties essential for accurate geophysical simulations. Moreover, these properties can be obtained on arbitrary, non-orthogonal meshes. However, the efficient solution of the resulting discrete systems depend on transforming the mixed velocity-pressure (or velocity-pressure-buoyancy) system into an elliptic problem for the pressure. This is not so straightforward within the compatible finite element framework due to inter-element coupling. This thesis supports the proposition that systems arising from compatible finite element discretizations can be solved efficiently using a technique known as ``hybridization." Hybridization removes inter-element coupling while maintaining the desired numerical properties. This permits the construction of sparse, elliptic problems, for which fast solver algorithms are known, using localized algebra. We first introduce the technique for compatible finite element discretizations of simplified atmospheric models. We then develop a general software abstraction for the rapid implementation and composition of hybridization methods, with an emphasis on preconditioning. Finally, we extend the technique for a new compatible method for the full, compressible atmospheric equations used in operational models.Open Acces

Adaptive multilevel solvers for the discontinuous Petrov–Galerkin method with an emphasis on high-frequency wave propagation problems

This dissertation focuses on the development of fast and efficient solution schemes for the simulation of challenging problems in wave propagation phenomena. In particular, emphasis is given on high frequency acoustic and electromagnetic problems which are characterized by localized solutions. This kind of simulations are essential in various applications, such as ultrasonic testing, laser scanning and modeling of optical laser amplifiers. In wave simulations, the computational cost of any numerical method, is directly related to the frequency. In the high-frequency regime very fine meshes have to be used in order to satisfy the Nyquist criterion and overcome the pollution effect. This often leads to prohibitively expensive problems. Numerical methods based on standard Galerkin discretizations lack pre-asymptotic discrete stability and therefore adaptive mesh refinement strategies are usually inefficient. Additionally, the indefinite nature of the wave operator makes state of the art preconditioning techniques, such as multigrid, unreliable. In this work, a promising alternative approach is followed within the framework of the discontinuous Petrov–Galerkin (DPG) method. The DPG method offers numerous advantages for our problems of interest. First and foremost, it offers mesh and frequency independent discrete stability even in the pre-asymptotic region. This is made possible by computing, on the fly, an optimal test space as a function of the trial space. Secondly, it provides a built-in local error indicator that can be used to drive adaptive refinements. Combining these two properties together, reliable adaptive refinement strategies are possible which can be initiated from very coarse meshes. Lastly, the DPG method can be viewed as a minimum residual method, and therefore it always delivers symmetric (Hermitian) positive definite stiffness matrix. This is a desirable advantage when it comes to the design of iterative solution algorithms. Conjugate Gradient based solvers can be employed which can be accelerated by domain decomposition (one- or multi- level) preconditioners for symmetric positive definite systems. Driven by the aforementioned properties of the DPG method, an adaptive multigrid preconditioning technology is developed that is applicable for a wide range of boundary value problems. Unlike standard multigrid techniques, our preconditioner involves trace spaces defined on the mesh skeleton, and it is suitable for adaptive hp-meshes. Integration of the iterative solver within the DPG adaptive procedure turns out to be crucial in the simulation of high frequency wave problems. A collection of numerical experiments for the solution of linear acoustics and Maxwell equations demonstrate the efficiency of this technology, where under certain circumstances uniform convergence with respect to the mesh size, the polynomial order and the frequency can be achieved. The construction is complemented with theoretical estimates for the condition number in the one-level setting.Computational Science, Engineering, and Mathematic

Methods for Analysis of Nonlinear Thermoacoustic Systems

This thesis examines the nonlinear behaviour of thermoacoustic systems by using approaches from the field of nonlinear dynamics. The underlying behaviour of a nonlinear system is determined by two things: first, by the type and form of the attractors in phase space, and second, by the mechanism that the system transitions from one attractor to another. For a thermoacoustic system, both of these things must be understood in order to define a safe operating region in parameter space, where no high-amplitude oscillations exist. Triggering in thermoacoustics is examined in a simple model of a horizontal Rijke tube. A triggering mechanism is presented whereby the system transitions from a stable fixed point to a stable limit cycle, via an unstable limit cycle. The practical stability of the Rijke tube was investigated when the system is forced by stochastic noise. Low levels of noise result in triggering much before the linear stability limit. Stochastic stability maps are introduced to visualise the practical stability of a thermoacoustic system. The triggering mechanism and stochastic dependence of the Rijke tube match extremely well with results from an experimental combustor. The most common attractors in thermoacoustic systems are fixed points and limit cycles. In order to define the nonlinear behaviour of a thermoacoustic system, it is therefore important to find the regions of parameter space where limit cycles exist. Two methods of finding limit cycles in large thermoacoustic sytems are presented: matrix-free continuation methods and gradient methods. Continuation methods find limit cycles numerically in the time domain, with no additional assumptions other than those used to form the governing equations. Once the limit cycles are found, these continuation methods track them as the operating condition of the system changes. Most continuation methods are impractical for finding limit cycles in large thermoacoustic systems because the methods require too much computational time and memory. In the literature, there are therefore only a few applications of continuation methods to thermoacoustics, all with low-order models. Matrix-free shooting methods efficiently calculate the limit cycles of dissipative systems and have been demonstrated recently in fluid dynamics, but are as yet unused in thermoacoustics. These matrix-free methods are shown to converge quickly to limit cycles by implicitly using a ‘reduced order model’ property. This is because the methods preferentially use the influential bulk motions of the system, whilst ignoring the features that are quickly dissipated in time. The matrix-free methods are demonstrated on a model of a ducted 2D diffusion flame, and the safe operating region is calculated as a function of the Peclet number and the heat release parameter. Both subcritical and supercritical Hopf bifurcations are found. Physical information about the flame-acoustic interaction is found from the limit cycles and Floquet modes. Invariant subspace preconditioning, higher order prediction techniques, and multiple shooting techniques are all shown to reduce the time required to generate bifurcation surfaces. Two types of shooting are compared, and two types of matrix-free evaluation are compared. The matrix-free methods are also demonstrated on a model of a ducted axisymmetric premixed flame, using a kinematic G-equation solver. The methods find limit cycles, period-2 limit cycles, fold bifurcations, period-doubling bifurcations and Neimark-Sacker bifurcations as a function of two parameters: the location of the flame in the duct, and the aspect ratio of the steady flame. The model is seen to display rich nonlinear behaviour and regions of multistability are found. Gradient methods can also efficiently calculate the limit cycles of large systems. A scalar cost function is defined that describes the proximity of a state to a limit cycle. The gradient of the cost function is used in an optimisation routine to iteratively converge to a limit cycle (or fixed point). The gradient of the cost function is found with a forwards-backwards process: first, the direct equations are marched forwards in time, second, the adjoint equations are marched backwards in time. The adjoint equations are derived by partially differentiating the direct governing equations. The gradient method is demonstrated on a model of a horizontal Rijke tube. This thesis describes novel nonlinear analysis techniques that can be applied to coupled systems with both advanced acoustic models and advanced flame models. The techniques can characterise the rich nonlinear behaviour of thermoacoustic models with a level of detail that was not previously possible.EPSRC Doctoral Training Partnershi

Topics in Magnetohydrodynamics

To understand plasma physics intuitively one need to master the MHD behaviors. As sciences advance, gap between published textbooks and cutting-edge researches gradually develops. Connection from textbook knowledge to up-to-dated research results can often be tough. Review articles can help. This book contains eight topical review papers on MHD. For magnetically confined fusion one can find toroidal MHD theory for tokamaks, magnetic relaxation process in spheromaks, and the formation and stability of field-reversed configuration. In space plasma physics one can get solar spicules and X-ray jets physics, as well as general sub-fluid theory. For numerical methods one can find the implicit numerical methods for resistive MHD and the boundary control formalism. For low temperature plasma physics one can read theory for Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids etc