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We address the computational challenges encountered in turbocharger turbine and exhaust manifold flow analysis. The core computational method is the Space–Time Variational Multiscale (ST-VMS) method, and the other key methods are the ST Isogeometric Analysis (ST-IGA), ST Slip Interface (ST-SI) method, ST/NURBS Mesh Update Method (STNMUM), and a general-purpose NURBS mesh generation method for complex geometries. The ST framework, in a general context, provides higher-order accuracy. The VMS feature of the ST-VMS addresses the computational challenges associated with the multiscale nature of the unsteady flow in the manifold and turbine, and the moving-mesh feature of the ST framework enables high-resolution computation near the rotor surface. The ST-SI enables moving-mesh computation of the spinning rotor. The mesh covering the rotor spins with it, and the SI between the spinning mesh and the rest of the mesh accurately connects the two sides of the solution. The ST-IGA enables more accurate representation of the turbine and manifold geometries and increased accuracy in the flow solution. The STNMUM enables exact representation of the mesh rotation. The general-purpose NURBS mesh generation method makes it easier to deal with the complex geometries we have here. An SI also provides mesh generation flexibility in a general context by accurately connecting the two sides of the solution computed over nonmatching meshes. That is enabling us to use nonmatching NURBS meshes here. Stabilization parameters and element length definitions play a significant role in the ST-VMS and ST-SI. For the ST-VMS, we use the stabilization parameters introduced recently, and for the ST-SI, the element length definition we are introducing here. The model we actually compute with includes the exhaust gas purifier, which makes the turbine outflow conditions more realistic. We compute the flow for a full intake/exhaust cycle, which is much longer than the turbine rotation cycle because of high rotation speeds, and the long duration required is an additional computational challenge. The computation demonstrates that the methods we use here are very effective in this class of challenging flow analyses.

The Space–Time Computational Analysis (STCA) with key components that include the ST Variational Multiscale (ST-VMS) method and ST Isogeometric Analysis (ST-IGA) is being increasingly used in fluid mechanics computations with complex geometries. In such computations, the ST-VMS serves as the core method, complemented by the ST-IGA, and sometimes by additional key components, such as the ST Slip Interface (ST-SI) method. To make the ST-IGA use, and in a wider context the IGA use, even more practical in fluid mechanics computations, NURBS volume mesh generation needs to be easier and as automated as possible. To that end, we present a general-purpose NURBS mesh generation method. The method is based on multi-block structured mesh generation with existing techniques, projection of that mesh to a NURBS mesh made of patches that correspond to the blocks, and recovery of the original model surfaces to the extent they are suitable for accurate and robust fluid mechanics computations. It is expected to retain the refinement distribution and element quality of the multi-block structured mesh that we start with. The flexibility of discretization with the general-purpose mesh generation is supplemented with the ST-SI method, which allows, without loss of accuracy, C − 1 continuity between NURBS patches and thus removes the matching requirement between the patches. We present a test computation for a turbocharger turbine and exhaust manifold, which demonstrates that the general-purpose mesh generation method proposed makes the IGA use in fluid mechanics computations even more practical.

Heart valve flow computation requires accurate representation of boundary layers near moving solid surfaces, including the valve leaflet surfaces, even when the leaflets come into contact. It also requires dealing with a high level of geometric complexity. We address these computational challenges with a Space–Time (ST) method developed by integrating three special ST methods in the framework of the ST Variational Multiscale (ST-VMS) method. The special methods are the ST Slip Interface (ST-SI) and ST Topology Change (ST-TC) methods and ST Isogeometric Analysis (ST-IGA). The computations are for a realistic aortic-valve model with prescribed valve leaflet motion and actual contact between the leaflets. The ST-VMS method functions as a moving-mesh method, which maintains high-resolution boundary layer representation near the solid surfaces, including leaflet surfaces. The ST-TC method was introduced for moving-mesh computation of flow problems with TC, such as contact between the leaflets of a heart valve. It deals with the contact while maintaining high-resolution representation near the leaflet surfaces. The ST-SI method was originally introduced to have high-resolution representation of the boundary layers near spinning solid surfaces. The mesh covering a spinning solid surface spins with it, and the SI between the spinning mesh and the rest of the mesh accurately connects the two sides. In the context of heart valves, the SI connects the sectors of meshes containing the leaflets, enabling a more effective mesh moving. In that context, integration of the ST-SI and ST-TC methods enables high-resolution representation even when the contact is between leaflets that are covered by meshes with SI. It also enables dealing with contact location change or contact and sliding on the SI. By integrating the ST-IGA with the ST-SI and ST-TC methods, in addition to having a more accurate representation of the surfaces and increased accuracy in the flow solution, the element density in the narrow spaces near the contact areas is kept at a reasonable level. Furthermore, because the flow representation in the contact area has a wider support in IGA, the flow computation method becomes more robust. The computations we present for an aortic-valve model with two different modes of prescribed leaflet motion show the effectiveness of the ST-SI-TC-IGA method.

We focus on computational analysis of flow-driven string dynamics. The objective is to understand how the strings carried by a fluid interact with the solid surfaces present and get stuck on or around those surfaces. Our target application is turbomachinery, such as understanding how strings get stuck on or around the blades of a fan. The components of the method we developed for this purpose are the Space–Time Variational Multiscale (ST-VMS) and ST Slip Interface (ST-SI) methods for the fluid dynamics, and a one-way-dependence model and the Isogeometric Analysis (IGA) for the string dynamics. The ST-VMS method is the core computational technology and it also has the features of a turbulence model. The ST-SI method allows in a consistent fashion slip at the interface between the mesh covering a spinning solid surface and the mesh covering the rest of the domain, and with this, we maintain high-resolution representation of the boundary layers near spinning solid surfaces such as fan blades. With the one-way-dependence model, we compute the influence of the flow on the string dynamics, while avoiding the formidable task of computing the influence of the string on the flow, which we expect to be small. The IGA for the string dynamics gives us not only a higher-order method and smoothness in the structure shape, but also smoothness in the fluid dynamics forces calculated on the string. To demonstrate how the method can be used in computational analysis of flow-driven string dynamics, we present the pilot computations we carried out, for a duct with cylindrical obstacles and for a ventilating fan.

We focus on turbocharger computational flow analysis with a method that possesses higher accuracy in spatial and temporal representations. In the method we have developed for this purpose, we use a combination of (i) the Space–Time Variational Multiscale (ST-VMS) method, which is a stabilized formulation that also serves as a turbulence model, (ii) the ST Slip Interface (ST-SI) method, which maintains high-resolution representation of the boundary layers near spinning solid surfaces by allowing in a consistent fashion slip at the interface between the mesh covering a spinning surface and the mesh covering the rest of the domain, and (iii) the Isogeometric Analysis (IGA), where we use NURBS basis functions in space and time. The basis functions are spatially higher-order in all representations, and temporally higher-order in representation of the solid-surface and mesh motions. The ST nature of the method gives us higher-order accuracy in the flow solver, and when combined with temporally higher-order basis functions, a more accurate representation of the surface motion, and a mesh motion consistent with that. The spatially higher-order basis functions give us again higher-order accuracy in the flow solver, a more accurate, in some parts exact, representation of the surface geometry, and better representation in evaluating the second-order spatial derivatives. Using NURBS basis functions with a complex geometry is not trivial, however, once we generate the mesh, the computational efficiency is substantially increased. We focus on the turbine part of a turbocharger, but our method can also be applied to the compressor part and thus can be extended to the full turbocharger.

We present a method for structural and fluid mechanics computations of ram-air parachutes. A ram-air parachute is a parafoil inflated by the airflow through the inlets at the leading edge. It has better control and gliding capability than round parachutes. Reliable analysis of ram-air parachutes requires accurate representation of the parafoil geometry, fabric porosity and the complex, multiscale flow behavior involved in this class of problems. The key components of the method are (i) the Space–Time Variational Multiscale (ST-VMS) method, (ii) the version of the ST Slip Interface (ST-SI) method where the SI is between a thin porous structure and the fluid on its two sides, (iii) the ST Isogeometric Analysis (ST-IGA), and (iv) special-purpose NURBS mesh generation techniques for the parachute structure and the flow field inside and outside the parafoil. The ST-VMS method is a stabilized formulation that also serves as a turbulence model and can deal effectively with the complex, multiscale flow behavior. With the ST-SI version for porosity modeling, we deal with the fabric porosity in a fashion consistent with how we deal with the standard SIs and how we enforce the Dirichlet boundary conditions weakly. The ST-IGA, with NURBS basis functions in space, gives us, with relatively few number of unknowns, accurate representation of the parafoil geometry and increased accuracy in the flow solution. The special-purpose mesh generation techniques enable NURBS representation of the structure and fluid domains with significant geometric complexity. The test computations we present are for building a starting parachute shape and a starting flow field associated with that parachute shape, which are the first two key steps in fluid–structure interaction analysis. The computations demonstrate the effectiveness of the method in this class of problems.

We present a flow analysis of a wave-energy air turbine, commonly known as Wells turbine. The focus here is on the computational method used in the analysis, based on the Streamline-Upwind/Petrov-Galerkin (SUPG) and Pressure-Stabilizing/Petrov-Galerkin (PSPG) stabilizations and the Discontinuity-Capturing Directional Dissipation (DCDD). The SUPG/PSPG stabilization is used rather widely and successfully. The DCDD, first introduced to complement the SUPG/PSPG method in computations of incompressible flows in the presence of sharp solution gradients, was also shown to perform well in standard turbulent-flow test computations when compared to the Smagorinsky Large Eddy Simulation (LES) model. The results obtained in our computational analysis of the Wells turbine here compare favorably to the available experimental data, and this demonstrates that the DCDD method performs well also in turbomachinery flows.

The Space–Time Variational Multiscale (ST-VMS) method was introduced to function as a moving-mesh method. It is the VMS version of the Deforming-Spatial-Domain/Stabilized ST (DSD/SST) method. It has reasonably good turbulence modeling features and serves as a core computational method. The ST Slip Interface (ST-SI) method was introduced to addresses the challenge involved in high-resolution representation of the boundary layers near spinning solid surfaces. The mesh covering a spinning solid surface spins with it and thus maintains the high-resolution representation near it. The ST-TC method was introduced for moving-mesh computation of flow problems with topology changes, such as contact between solid surfaces. It deals with the TC while maintaining high-resolution boundary layer representation near solid surfaces. The “ST-SI-TC” method we introduce here integrates the ST-SI and ST-TC methods in the ST-VMS framework. It enables accurate flow analysis when we have a spinning solid surface that is in contact with a solid surface. We present two test computations with the ST-SI-TC method, and they are both with models of flow around a rotating tire with road contact and prescribed deformation, one with a 2D model, and one with a 3D model.

We present an overview of the special computer modeling techniques we have developed recently for flapping-wing aerodynamics of a locust. The wing motion and deformation data is from an actual locust, extracted from high-speed, multi-camera video recordings of the locust in a wind tunnel. The special techniques have been developed around our core computational technique, which is the Deforming-Spatial-Domain/Stabilized Space–Time (DSD/SST) formulation. Here we use the version of the DSD/SST formulation derived in conjunction with the variational multiscale (VMS) method, and this version is called “DSD/SST-VMST.” The special techniques are based on using, in the space–time flow computations, NURBS basis functions for the temporal representation of the motion and deformation of the locust wings. Temporal NURBS basis functions are used also in representation of the motion of the volume meshes computed and in remeshing. In this special-issue paper, we present a condensed version of the material from [1] , concentrating on the flapping-motion modeling and computations, and also a temporal-order study from [2] .

We provide an overview of the finite element methods we developed for fluid dynamics problems. We focus on stabilized formulations and moving boundaries and interfaces. The stabilized formulations are the streamline-upwind/Petrov–Galerkin (SUPG) formulations for compressible and incompressible flows and the pressure-stabilizing/Petrov–Galerkin (PSPG) formulation for incompressible flows. These are supplemented with the discontinuity-capturing directional dissipation (DCDD) for incompressible flows and the shock-capturing terms for compressible flows. Determination of the stabilization and shock-capturing parameters used in these formulations is highlighted. Moving boundaries and interfaces include free surfaces, two-fluid interfaces, fluid–object and fluid–structure interactions, and moving mechanical components. The methods developed for this class of problems can be classified into two main categories: interface-tracking and interface-capturing techniques. The interface-tracking techniques are based on the deforming-spatial-domain/stabilized space–time (DSD/SST) formulation, where the mesh moves to track the interface. The interface-capturing techniques were developed for two-fluid flows. They are based on the stabilized formulation, over typically non-moving meshes, of both the flow equations and an advection equation. The advection equation governs the time-evolution of an interface function marking the interface location. We also describe some of the additional methods and ideas we introduced to increase the scope and accuracy of these two classes of techniques. Among them is the enhanced-discretization interface-capturing technique (EDICT), which was developed to increase the accuracy in capturing the interface. Also among them is the mixed interface-tracking/interface-capturing technique (MITICT), which was introduced for problems that involve both interfaces that can be accurately tracked with a moving-mesh method and interfaces that call for an interface-capturing technique.

As a sequel to “Finite elements in fluids: stabilized formulations and moving boundaries and interfaces” [Tezduyar TE. Finite elements in fluids: stabilized formulations and moving boundaries and interfaces. Comput Fluids, in press, doi:10.1016/j.compfluid.2005.02.011 .], in this article we provide an overview of the special methods and enhanced solution techniques we developed in conjunction with the methods described in the accompanying paper. The methods and ideas highlighted here were introduced to increase the scope and accuracy of the stabilized formulations and interface-tracking and interface-capturing techniques highlighted in the accompanying paper. They include special methods for fluid–object interactions, for flows involving objects in fast, linear or rotational relative motion, and for two-fluid flows. They also include enhanced solutions techniques, where we have enhancement in spatial discretization, enhancement in time discretization, and enhancement in iterative solution of non-linear and linear equation systems.

In computation of flow problems with fluid–solid interfaces, an interface-tracking technique, where the fluid mesh moves to track the interface, would allow us to have full control of the resolution of the fluid mesh in the boundary layers. With an interface-capturing technique (or an interface locator technique in the more general case), on the other hand, independent of how accurately the interface geometry is represented, the resolution of the fluid mesh in the boundary layer will be limited by the resolution of the fluid mesh at the interface. In computation of flow problems with fluid–fluid interfaces where the interface is too complex or unsteady to track while keeping the remeshing frequency under control, interface-capturing techniques, with enhanced-discretization as needed, could be used as more flexible alternatives. Sometimes we may need to solve flow problems with both fluid–solid interfaces and complex or unsteady fluid–fluid interfaces. The Mixed Interface-Tracking/Interface-Capturing Technique (MITICT) was introduced for computation of flow problems that involve both interfaces that can be accurately tracked with a moving mesh method and interfaces that are too complex or unsteady to be tracked and therefore require an interface-capturing technique. As the interface-tracking technique, we use the Deforming-Spatial-Domain/Stabilized Space–Time (DSD/SST) formulation. The interface-capturing technique rides on this, and is based on solving over a moving mesh, in addition to the Navier–Stokes equations, the advection equation governing the time-evolution of the interface function. For the computations reported in this paper, as interface-capturing technique we are using one of the versions of the Edge-Tracked Interface Locator Technique (ETILT).

Recent reports indicate that the rupture risk for cerebral aneurysms is less than the risk of surgical complications. Being able to predict the rupture of aneurysms would help making better-informed decisions and avoiding unnecessary surgical operations. The wall shear stress is known to play an important role in vascular diseases. We carry out computational fluid–structure interaction analyses to investigate the influence of the arterial-wall deformation on the hemodynamic factors, including the wall shear stress distribution. The results show various patterns of this influence, depending very much on the arterial geometry.

In recent years we introduced a number of enhancements to the space–time techniques we developed for computer modeling of Fluid–Structure Interaction (FSI) problems. These enhancements, which include more sophisticated fluid–structure coupling and improved mesh generation, are enabling us to address more of the computational challenges involved. Our objective here is to demonstrate the robustness of these techniques in FSI modeling of parachutes involving complex designs. As a numerical example, we have selected a conceptual parachute design with geometric complexities resembling those seen in some of the advanced parachute designs proposed and tested in recent times. We describe our FSI modeling techniques and how we compute the descent and glide performance of this conceptual parachute design. � 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.