GeoTaichi: A Taichi-powered high-performance numerical simulator for multiscale geophysical problems

Abstract

This study introduces GeoTaichi, an open-source high-performance numerical simulator designed for addressing multiscale geophysical problems. By leveraging the power of the Taichi parallel language, GeoTaichi maximizes the utilization of modern computer resources on multicore CPU and GPU architectures. It offers robust and reliable modules for the discrete element method (DEM), material point method (MPM), and coupled material point-discrete element method (MPDEM). These modules enable efficient solving of large-scale problems while being implemented in pure Python. The design philosophy of GeoTaichi focuses on creating a framework that is readable, extensible, and user-friendly. This paper highlights the coupling procedure of MPDEM, the code structures, and the most important features of GeoTaichi. Rigorous benchmark tests have been conducted to verify the validity and robustness of GeoTaichi. Additionally, the performance of GeoTaichi is compared with similar software tools in the field, underscoring a notable improvement in both computational efficiency and memory savings when compared to existing alternatives. Program summaryProgram title: GeoTaichiCPC Library link to program files:https://doi.org/10.17632/858bmcf7j6.1Developer's repository link:https://github.com/Yihao-Shi/GeoTaichiLicensing provisions: GNU General Public License v3.0Programming language: PythonNature of problem: The simulations of large-deformation geophysical flows and their interaction with structures play a crucial role in the field of geophysics. To address the complexities of these nonlinear problems, the discrete element method (DEM), material point method (MPM), and their coupling (MPDEM) have proven to be highly suitable numerical schemes. However, these schemes impose substantial computational demands, necessitating the development of an efficient framework that can harness modern computer resources on multicore CPU and GPU architectures.Solution method: The open-source code GeoTaichi implements the DEM, MPM, and coupled MPDEM, encompassing a range of constitutive models and contact laws for different geologic materials. The clump particle model is also introduced in DEM to solve granular mechanics involving complex-shaped particles. One significant advantage of GeoTaichi is its utilization of the Taichi parallel language, which is designed to be user-friendly and easily extensible for customized applications.