Waveform Relaxation with asynchronous time-integration

We consider Waveform Relaxation (WR) methods for partitioned time-integration of surface-coupled multiphysics problems. WR allows independent time-discretizations on independent and adaptive time-grids, while maintaining high time-integration orders. Classical WR methods such as Jacobi or Gauss-Seidel WR are typically either parallel or converge quickly. We present a novel parallel WR method utilizing asynchronous communication techniques to get both properties. Classical WR methods exchange discrete functions after time-integration of a subproblem. We instead asynchronously exchange time-point solutions during time-integration and directly incorporate all new information in the interpolants. We show both continuous and time-discrete convergence in a framework that generalizes existing linear WR convergence theory. An algorithm for choosing optimal relaxation in our new WR method is presented. Convergence is demonstrated in two conjugate heat transfer examples. Our new method shows an improved performance over classical WR methods. In one example we show a partitioned coupling of the compressible Euler equations with a nonlinear heat equation, with subproblems implemented using the open source libraries DUNE and FEniCS

Adaptive time-integration for goal-oriented and coupled problems

We consider efficient methods for the partitioned time-integration of multiphysics problems, which commonly exhibit a multiscale behavior, requiring independent time-grids. Examples are fluid structure interaction in e.g., the simulation of blood-flow or cooling of rocket engines, or ocean-atmosphere-vegetation interaction. The ideal method for solving these problems allows independent and adaptive time-grids, higher order time-discretizations, is fast and robust, and allows the coupling of existing subsolvers, executed in parallel. We consider Waveform relaxation (WR) methods, which can have all of these properties. WR methods iterate on continuous-in-time interface functions, obtained via suitable interpolation. The difficulty is to find suitable convergence acceleration, which is required for the iteration converge quickly. We develop a fast and highly robust, second order in time, adaptive WR method for unsteady thermal fluid structure interaction (FSI), modelled by heterogeneous coupled linear heat equations. We use a Dirichlet-Neumann coupling at the interface and an analytical optimal relaxation parameter derived for the fully-discrete scheme. While this method is sequential, it is notably faster and more robust than similar parallel methods.We further develop a novel, parallel WR method, using asynchronous communication techniques during time-integration to accelerate convergence. Instead of exchanging interpolated time-dependent functions at the end of each time-window or iteration, we exchange time-point data immediately after each timestep. The analytical description and convergence results of this method generalize existing WR theory.Since WR methods allow coupling of problems in a relative black-box manner, we developed adapters to PDE-subsolvers implemented using DUNE and FEniCS. We demonstrate this coupling in a thermal FSI test case.Lastly, we consider adaptive time-integration for goal-oriented problems, where one is interested in a quantity of interest (QoI), which is a functional of the solution. The state-of-the-art method is the dual-weighted residual (DWR) method, which is extremely costly in both computation and implementation. We develop a goal oriented adaptive method based on local error estimates, which is considerably cheaper in computation. We prove convergence of the error in the QoI for tolerance to zero under a controllability assumption. By analyzing global error propagation with respect to the QoI, we can identify possible issues and make performance predictions. Numerical results verify these results and show our method to be more efficient than the DWR method

A Quasi-Newton Algorithm Based on a Reduced Model for Fluid-Structure Interaction Problems in Blood Flows

International audienceWe propose a quasi-Newton algorithm for solving fluid-structure interaction problems. The basic idea of the method is to build an approximate tangent operator which is cost effective and which takes into account the so-called added mass effect. Various test cases show that the method allows a significant reduction of the computational effort compared to relaxed fixed point algorithms. We present 2D and 3D fluid-structure simulations performed either with a simple 1D structure model or with shells in large displacements

A Simple Test Case for Convergence Order in Time and Energy Conservation of Black-Box Coupling Schemes

The most commonly used coupling schemes in partitioned multiphysics simulations suffer from a decrease in the order of convergence, specifically in the time domain; a phenomenon we call order degradation. This paper discusses when this issue arises and how it can be studied with a simple example. We present a simple mass-spring system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) to analyze accuracy and energy conservation of different coupling schemes. The ability to restore higher order of convergence by using Strang splitting or waveform iterations is verified in the context of the presented example. This paper provides details on some aspects of the talk titled 'Design and evaluation of a waveform iteration­based approach for coupling heterogeneous time stepping methods via preCICE' given at WCCM-APCOM 2022

Numerical modelling of the fluid-structure interaction in complex vascular geometries

A complex network of vessels is responsible for the transportation of blood throughout the body and back to the heart. Fluid mechanics and solid mechanics play a fundamental role in this transport phenomenon and are particularly suited for computer simulations. The latter may contribute to a better comprehension of the physiological processes and mechanisms leading to cardiovascular diseases, which are currently the leading cause of death in the western world. In case these computational models include patient-specific geometries and/or the interaction between the blood flow and the arterial wall, they become challenging to develop and to solve, increasing both the operator time and the computational time. This is especially true when the domain of interest involves vascular pathologies such as a local narrowing (stenosis) or a local dilatation (aneurysm) of the arterial wall. To overcome these issues of high operator times and high computational times when addressing the bio(fluid)mechanics of complex geometries, this PhD thesis focuses on the development of computational strategies which improve the generation and the accuracy of image-based, fluid-structure interaction (FSI) models. First, a robust procedure is introduced for the generation of hexahedral grids, which allows for local grid refinements and automation. Secondly, a straightforward algorithm is developed to obtain the prestress which is implicitly present in the arterial wall of a – by the blood pressure – loaded geometry at the moment of medical image acquisition. Both techniques are validated, applied to relevant cases, and finally integrated into a fluid-structure interaction model of an abdominal mouse aorta, based on in vivo measurements

Coupling schemes for incompressible fluid-structure interaction: implicit, semi-implicit and explicit

International audienceOver the last decade, the numerical simulation of incompressible fluid-structure interaction has been a very active research field and the subject of numerous works. This is due, in particular, to the increasing interest of the research community in the simulation of blood flows in large arteries. In this context, the fluid equations have to be solved in a moving domain and the incompressibility constraint makes the coupling sensitive to the added-mass effect. As a result, the solution procedure has to be designed carefully in order to guarantee efficiency without compromising numerical stability. In this paper, we review some of the coupling schemes recently proposed in the literature. Some numerical results that show the effectiveness of the novel approaches are also presented

MATHICSE Technical Report : Time accurate partitioned\ algorithms for the solution of fluid-structure\ interaction problems in haemodynamics

In this work we deal with the numerical solution of the fluid-structure interaction problem arising in the haemodynamic environment. In particular, we consider BDF and Newmark time discretization schemes, and we study different methods for the treatment of the fluid-structure interface position, focusing on partitioned algorithms for the prescription of the continuity conditions at the fluid-structure interface. We consider explicit and implicit algorithms, and new hybrid methods. We study numerically the performances and the accuracy of these schemes, highlighting the best solutions for haemodynamic applications. We also study numerically their convergence properties with respect to time discretization, by introducing an analytical test case