Difference Potentials Method Research Articles

An efficient reformulation of the difference potentials method for interface problems with a jump in the source term

An efficient reformulation of the difference potentials method for interface problems with a jump in the source term

Local-basis difference potentials method for elliptic PDEs in complex geometry

We develop efficient and high-order accurate finite difference methods for elliptic partial differential equations in complex geometry in the difference potentials framework. The main novelty of the developed schemes is the use of local basis functions defined at near-boundary grid points. The use of local basis functions allows unified numerical treatment of (i) explicitly and implicitly defined geometry; (ii) geometry of more complicated shapes, such as those with corners, multi-connected domain, etc; and (iii) different types of boundary conditions. This geometrically flexible approach is complementary to the classical difference potentials method using global basis functions, especially in the case where a large number of global basis functions are needed to resolve the boundary, or where the optimal global basis functions are difficult to obtain. Fast Poisson solvers based on FFT are employed for standard, centered finite difference stencils regardless of the designed order of accuracy. Proofs of convergence of difference potentials in maximum norm are outlined both theoretically and numerically.

Difference potentials method for models with dynamic boundary conditions and bulk-surface problems

In this work, we consider parabolic models with dynamic boundary conditions and parabolic bulk-surface problems in 3D. Such partial differential equations–based models describe phenomena that happen both on the surface and in the bulk/domain. These problems may appear in many applications, ranging from cell dynamics in biology, to grain growth models in polycrystalline materials. Using difference potentials framework, we develop novel numerical algorithms for the approximation of the problems. The constructed algorithms efficiently and accurately handle the coupling of the models in the bulk and on the surface, approximate 3D irregular geometry in the bulk by the use of only Cartesian meshes, employ fast Poisson solvers, and utilize spectral approximation on the surface. Several numerical tests are given to illustrate the robustness of the developed numerical algorithms.

Basic Aspects of Actively Shielding against External Noise

The problem of actively shielding a conversation inside a room with an open window from street noise is considered as an example of a more general problem actively shielding a specified domain in real-time from external noise. Active shielding is understood as protection based on additional sound sources installed on the boundary of the domain. These sources are supplemented by measuring the equipment surrounding them, which interactively monitors the state of the acoustic medium, the totality of which we will call the shielding device. For the solution of this problem V.S. Ryaben’kii developed a mathematical model of the acoustic shielding process based on the difference potentials method (DPM) and real-time acoustic exploration (RAE). In this model, controlling the loudspeakers of the device attenuates the noise a specified number of times. However, the practical implementation of the mathematical model is difficult because the facilities of the device form a dense ring enclosing the shielded domain. In order to overcome this difficulty, an approximate model of the shielding device with a coarse grid of loudspeakers is developed based on a special approximation of the mathematical model. A simple example is used to illustrate the mathematical model of the shielding process. The presentation provides a wide choice of specific shielding options. Next, we propose a method for obtaining an economical approximation of a mathematical model, and numerical examples are presented demonstrating its effectiveness and its stability; however, they are only attainable through careful implementation.

Efficient Numerical Algorithms Based on Difference Potentials for Chemotaxis Systems in 3D

In this work, we propose efficient and accurate numerical algorithms based on Difference Potentials Method for numerical solution of chemotaxis systems and related models in 3D. The developed algorithms handle 3D irregular geometry with the use of only Cartesian meshes and employ Fast Poisson Solvers. In addition, to further enhance computational efficiency of the methods, we design a Difference-Potentials-based domain decomposition approach which allows mesh adaptivity and easy parallelization of the algorithm in space. Extensive numerical experiments are presented to illustrate the accuracy, efficiency and robustness of the developed numerical algorithms.

High-Order Numerical Methods for 2D Parabolic Problems in Single and Composite Domains

In this work, we discuss and compare three methods for the numerical approximation of constant- and variable-coefficient diffusion equations in both single and composite domains with possible discontinuity in the solution/flux at interfaces, considering (i) the Cut Finite Element Method; (ii) the Difference Potentials Method; and (iii) the summation-by-parts Finite Difference Method. First we give a brief introduction for each of the three methods. Next, we propose benchmark problems, and consider numerical tests—with respect to accuracy and convergence—for linear parabolic problems on a single domain, and continue with similar tests for linear parabolic problems on a composite domain (with the interface defined either explicitly or implicitly). Lastly, a comparative discussion of the methods and numerical results will be given.

High-order difference potentials methods for 1D elliptic type models

Numerical approximations and modeling of many physical, biological, and biomedical problems often deal with equations with highly varying coefficients, heterogeneous models (described by different types of partial differential equations (PDEs) in different domains), and/or have to take into consideration the complex structure of the computational subdomains. The major challenge here is to design an efficient numerical method that can capture certain properties of analytical solutions in different domains/subdomains (such as positivity, different regularity/smoothness of the solutions, etc.), while handling the arbitrary geometries and complex structures of the domains. In this work, we employ one-dimensional elliptic type models as the starting point to develop and numerically test high-order accurate Difference Potentials Method (DPM) for variable coefficient elliptic problems in heterogeneous media. While the method and analysis are simple in the one-dimensional settings, they illustrate and test several important ideas and capabilities of the developed approach.

Algorithms composition approach based on difference potentials method for parabolic problems

Algorithms composition approach based on difference potentials method for parabolic problems

On the Method of Difference Potentials

We provide a brief general overview of the difference potentials method (DPM) and outline its key features that enable the new computational capabilities. We present three examples of the actual applied problems that have been solved with this method, and also comment on the connections between the new potentials and the Calderon---Seeley potentials.

Global Artificial Boundary Conditions for Computation of External Flows with Jets

We propose new global artificial boundary conditions (ABCs) for computation of flows with propulsive jets. The algorithm is based on application of the difference potentials method (DPM). Previously, similar boundary conditions have been implemented for calculation of external compressible viscous flows around finite bodies. The proposed modification substantially extends the applicability range of the DPM-based algorithm. We present the general formulation of the problem, describe our numerical methodology, and discuss the corresponding computational results. The particular configuration that we analyze is a slender three-dimensional body with boat-tail geometry and supersonic jet exhaust in a subsonic external flow under zero angle of attack. Similar to the results obtained earlier for the flows around airfoils and wings, current results for the jet flow case corroborate the superiority of the DPM-based ABCs over standard local methodologies from the standpoints of accuracy, overall numerical performance, and robustness

Difference potentials for the Helmholtz equation in exterior domains

We describe an approach to solve numerically external scattering problems for the Helmholtz equation. The approach is based on the difference potentials method with the use of a special form of the potentials satisfying the radiation condition.

External Boundary Conditions for Three-Dimensional Problems of Computational Aerodynamics

We consider an unbounded steady-state flow of viscous fluid over a three-dimensional finite body or configuration of bodies. For the purpose of solving this flow numerically, we discretize the governing equations (Navier--Stokes) on a finite-difference grid. Prior to the discretization, we obviously need to truncate the original unbounded domain by introducing an artificial computational boundary at a finite distance from the body; otherwise, the number of discrete variables will not be finite. This artificial boundary is typically the external boundary of the domain covered by the grid. The flow problem (both continuous and discretized) formulated on the finite computational domain is clearly subdefinite unless supplemented by some artificial boundary conditions (ABCs) at the external computational boundary. In this paper, we present an innovative approach to constructing highly accurate ABCs for three-dimensional flow computations. The approach extends our previous technique developed for the two-dimensional case; it employs the finite-difference counterparts to Calderón's pseudodifferential boundary projections calculated in the framework of the difference potentials method (DPM) of Ryaben'kii. The resulting ABCs appear spatially nonlocal but are particularly easy to implement along with the existing flow solvers. The new boundary conditions have been successfully combined with the NASA-developed production code TLNS3D and used for the analysis of wing-shaped configurations in subsonic and transonic flow regimes. As demonstrated by the computational experiments and comparison with the standard local methods, the DPM-based ABCs allow one to greatly reduce the size of the computational domain while still maintaining high accuracy of the numerical solution. Moreover, they may provide for a noticeable speedup of multigrid convergence.

Improved Treatment of External Boundary Conditions for Three-Dimensional Flow Computations

An innovative numerical approach is presented for setting highly accurate nonlocal boundary conditions at the external computational boundaries when calculating three-dimensional compressible viscous flows over finite bodies. The approach is based on application of the special boundary operators analogous to Calderon's projections (Calderon, A. P.) and the difference potentials method by Ryaben'kii; it extends the previous technique developed for the two-dimensional case. The new boundary conditions methodology has been successfully combined with the NASA-developed code TLNS3D and used for the analysis of wing-shaped configurations in subsonic and transonic flow regimes. As demonstrated by the computational experiments, the improved external boundary conditions allow one to greatly reduce the size of the computational domain while still maintaining high accuracy of the numerical solution. Moreover, they may provide for a noticeable speedup of convergence of the multigrid iterations

Numerical solution of problems on unbounded domains. A review

While numerically solving a problem initially formulated on an unbounded domain, one typically truncates this domain, which necessitates setting the artificial boundary conditions (ABCs) at the newly formed external boundary. The issue of setting the ABCs appears most significant in many areas of scientific computing, for example, in problems originating from acoustics, electrodynamics, solid mechanics, and fluid dynamics. In particular, in computational fluid dynamics (where external problems represent a wide class of important formulations) the proper treatment of external boundaries may have a profound impact on the overall quality and performance of numerical algorithms and interpretation of the results. Most of the currently used techniques for setting the ABCs can basically be classified into two groups. The methods from the first group (global ABCs) usually provide high accuracy and robustness of the numerical procedure but often appear to be fairly cumbersome and (computationally) expensive. The methods from the second group (local ABCs) are, as a rule, algorithmically simple, numerically cheap, and geometrically universal; however, they usually lack accuracy of computations. In this paper we first present an extensive survey and provide a comparative assessment of different existing methods for constructing the ABCs. Then, we describe a new ABCs technique proposed in our recent work and review the corresponding results. This new technique enables one to construct the ABCs that largely combine the advantages relevant to the two aforementioned classes of existing methods. Our approach is based on application of the difference potentials method by Ryaben'kii. This approach allows one to obtain highly accurate ABCs in the form of certain (nonlocal) boundary operator equations. The operators involved are analogous to the pseudodifferential boundary projections first introduced by Calderon and then also studied by Seeley. In spite of the nonlocality, the new boundary conditions are geometrically universal, numerically inexpensive, and easy to implement along with the existing solvers.

Artificial Boundary Conditions for Computation of Oscillating External Flows

In this paper, we propose a new technique for the numerical treatment of external flow problems with oscillatory behavior of the solution in time. Specifically, we consider the case of unbounded compressible viscous plane flow past a finite body (airfoil). Oscillations of the flow in time may be caused, for example, by the time-periodic injection of fluid into the boundary layer, which in accordance with experimental data, may essentially increase the performance of the airfoil. To conduct the actual computations, we have to somehow restrict the original unbounded domain, that is, to introduce an artificial (external) boundary and to further consider only a finite computational domain. Consequently, we will need to formulate some artificial boundary conditions (ABCs) at the introduced external boundary. The ABCs we are aiming to obtain must meet the following fundamental requirement. One should be able to uniquely complement the solution calculated inside the finite computational domain to its infinite exterior so that the original problem is solved within the desired accuracy. Our construction of such ABCs for oscillating flows is based on an essential assumption: the Navier--Stokes equations can be linearized in the far field against the free-stream background. To actually compute the ABCs, we represent the far-field solution as a Fourier series in time and then apply the difference potentials method (DPM) of V. S. Ryaben'kii. This paper contains a general theoretical description of the algorithm for setting the DPM-based ABCs for time-periodic external flows. Based on our experience in implementing analogous ABCs for steady-state problems (a simpler case), we expect that these boundary conditions will become an effective tool for constructing robust numerical methods to calculate oscillatory flows.

External flow computations using global boundary conditions

We numerically integrate the compressible Navier-Stokes equations by means of a finite volume technique on the domain exterior to an airfoil. The curvilinear grid we use for discretization of the Navier-Stokes equations is obviously finite, it covers only a certain bounded region around the airfoil, consequently, we need to set some artificial boundary conditions at the external boundary of this region. The artificial boundary conditions we use here are non-local in space. They are constructed specifically for the case of steady-state solution. In constructing the artificial boundary conditions, we linearize the Navier-Stokes equations around the far-field solution and apply the difference potentials method. The resulting global conditions are implemented together with a pseudotime multigrid iteration procedure for achieving the steady state. The main goal of this paper is to describe the numerical procedure itself, therefore, we primarily emphasize the computation of artificial boundary conditions and the combined usage of these artificial boundary conditions and the original algorithm for integrating the Navier-Stokes equations. The underlying theory that justifies the proposed numerical techniques will accordingly be addressed more briefly.

Difference Potentials Method and its Applications

The purpose of this article is to acquaint the reader with the general concepts and capabilities of the Difference Potentials Method (DPM). DPM is used for the numerical solution of boundary-value and some other problems in difference and differential formulations. Difference potentials and DPM play the same role in the theory of solutions of linear systems of difference equations on multi-dimensional non-regular meshes as the classical Cauchy integral and the method of singular integral equations do in the theory of analytical functions (solutions Cauchy-Riemann system). The application of DPM to the solution of problems in difference formulation forms the first aspect of the method. The second aspect of the DPM implementation is the discretization and numerical solution of the Calderon-Seeley boundary pseudo-differential equations. The latter are equivalent to elliptical differential equations with variable coefficients in the domain; they are written making no use of fundamental solutions and integrals. Because of this fact ordinary methods for discretization of integral equations cannot be applied in this case. Calderon-Seeley equations have probably not been used for computations before the theory of DPM appeared. This second aspect for the implementation of DPM is that it does not require difference approximation on the boundary conditions of the original problem. The latter circumstance is just the main advantage of the second aspect in comparison with the first one. To begin with, we put forward and justify the main constructions and applications of DPM for problems connected with the Laplace equation. Further, we also outline the general theory and applications: both those already realized and anticipated.

Artificial Boundary Conditions for the Numerical Solution of External Viscous Flow Problems

In this paper we describe an algorithm for the nonlocal artificial boundary conditions setting at the external boundary of a computational domain while numerically solving unbounded viscous compressible flow problems past the finite bodies. Our technique is based on the usage of generalized Calderon projection operators and the application of the difference potentials method. Some computational results are presented.

An Application of Nonlocal External Conditions to Viscous Flow Computations

We are looking for a steady-state solution of an external flow problem originally formulated on an unbounded domain. Our case is a 2D viscous compressible flow past a finite body (airfoil). We truncate the original domain by introducing a finite grid around the airfoil and integrate the Navier-Stokes equations on this grid with the help of a finite-volume code which involves a multigrid pseudo-time iteration technique for achieving a steady state. To integrate the Navier—Stokes equations on a finite subregion of an original domain only we supplement the numerical algorithm by special nonlocal artificial boundary conditions formulated on an external boundary of the finite computational domain. These artificial boundary conditions are based on the difference potentials method proposed by V. S. Ryaben'kii. We compare the results provided by the nonlocal conditions with those obtained from the standard external conditions which are based on locally one-dimensional characteristic analysis at inflow and extrapolation at outflow. It turns out that the nonlocal artificial boundary conditions accelerate the convergence by about a factor of 3, as well as allow one to shrink substantially the computational domain without loss of accuracy.