Multidimensional Riemann Solver Research Articles

Multidimensional Generalized Riemann Problem Solver for Maxwell’s Equations

Approximate multidimensional Riemann solvers are essential building blocks in designing globally constraint-preserving finite volume time domain and discontinuous Galerkin time domain schemes for computational electrodynamics (CED). In those schemes, we can achieve high-order temporal accuracy with the help of Runge–Kutta or ADER time-stepping. This paper presents the design of a multidimensional approximate generalized Riemann problem (GRP) solver for the first time. The multidimensional Riemann solver accepts as its inputs the four states surrounding an edge on a structured mesh, and its output consists of a resolved state and its associated fluxes. In contrast, the multidimensional GRP solver accepts as its inputs the four states and their gradients in all directions; its output consists of the resolved state and its corresponding fluxes and the gradients of the resolved state. The gradients can then be used to extend the solution in time. As a result, we achieve second-order temporal accuracy in a single step. In this work, the formulation is optimized for linear hyperbolic systems with stiff, linear source terms because such a formulation will find maximal use in CED. Our formulation produces an overall constraint-preserving time-stepping strategy based on the GRP that is provably L-stable in the presence of stiff source terms. We present several stringent test problems, showing that the multidimensional GRP solver for CED meets its design accuracy and performs stably with optimal time steps. The test problems include cases with high conductivity, showing that the beneficial L-stability is indeed realized in practical applications.

Von Neumann Stability Analysis of DG-Like and PNPM-Like Schemes for PDEs with Globally Curl-Preserving Evolution of Vector Fields

This paper examines a class of involution-constrained PDEs where some part of the PDE system evolves a vector field whose curl remains zero or grows in proportion to specified source terms. Such PDEs are referred to as curl-free or curl-preserving, respectively. They arise very frequently in equations for hyperelasticity and compressible multiphase flow, in certain formulations of general relativity and in the numerical solution of Schrödinger’s equation. Experience has shown that if nothing special is done to account for the curl-preserving vector field, it can blow up in a finite amount of simulation time. In this paper, we catalogue a class of DG-like schemes for such PDEs. To retain the globally curl-free or curl-preserving constraints, the components of the vector field, as well as their higher moments, must be collocated at the edges of the mesh. They are updated using potentials collocated at the vertices of the mesh. The resulting schemes: (i) do not blow up even after very long integration times, (ii) do not need any special cleaning treatment, (iii) can operate with large explicit timesteps, (iv) do not require the solution of an elliptic system and (v) can be extended to higher orders using DG-like methods. The methods rely on a special curl-preserving reconstruction and they also rely on multidimensional upwinding. The Galerkin projection, highly crucial to the design of a DG method, is now conducted at the edges of the mesh and yields a weak form update that uses potentials obtained at the vertices of the mesh with the help of a multidimensional Riemann solver. A von Neumann stability analysis of the curl-preserving methods is conducted and the limiting CFL numbers of this entire family of methods are catalogued in this work. The stability analysis confirms that with the increasing order of accuracy, our novel curl-free methods have superlative phase accuracy while substantially reducing dissipation. We also show that PNPM-like methods, which only evolve the lower moments while reconstructing the higher moments, retain much of the excellent wave propagation characteristics of the DG-like methods while offering a much larger CFL number and lower computational complexity. The quadratic energy preservation of these methods is also shown to be excellent, especially at higher orders. The methods are also shown to be curl-preserving over long integration times.

Multidimensional approximate Riemann solvers for hyperbolic nonconservative systems. Applications to shallow water systems

This paper deals with the development of efficient incomplete multidimensional Riemann solvers for hyperbolic systems. Departing from a four-waves model for the speeds of propagation arising at each vertex of the computational structured mesh, we present a general strategy for constructing genuinely multidimensional Riemann solvers, that can be applied for solving systems including source and coupling terms.In particular, a simple version of a well-balanced 2d HLL scheme is presented, which is later taken as a basis to build a general class of incomplete Riemann solvers, the so-called Approximate Viscosity Matrix (AVM) schemes. The great advantage of the AVM strategy is the possibility to control the amount of numerical diffusion considered for each hyperbolic system at an affordable computational cost.The presented numerical schemes are shown to be linearly L∞-stable for a CFL number up to unity. Our schemes can be used as building blocks for constructing high-order schemes. In this work, a second-order scheme is constructed by using a predictor-corrector MUSCL-Hancock procedure.To test the performances of the proposed schemes, a number of challenging numerical experiments in one-layer and two-layer shallow water systems have been run. The presence of the bottom topography and the coupling terms represent an additional difficulty, that has been solved by reformulating the problem within the path-conservative framework. Finally, the 2d schemes have been shown to be more efficient than their projected 1d×1d counterparts.

A study of higher-order reconstruction methods for genuinely two-dimensional Riemann solver

Balsara's genuinely multidimensional Riemann solvers, which possess a simple closed-form and high efficiency in the low-order cases, realize their multidimensional effect successfully by introducing the vertex-based framework. However, traditional higher-order (third-order and above) reconstruction methods built for the structured grids become ambiguous when applied directly into these solvers. Nowadays, there is little research on the higher-order reconstruction methods for such Riemann solvers besides Balsara's work by adopting the ADER-WENO schemes. Based on Balsara's work, we conduct research on the multidimensional higher-order reconstruction procedure in this study. This paper investigates two third-order reconstruction methods with the WENO approach for the genuinely two-dimensional HLLE Riemann solver. The critical idea of the reconstruction methods is to utilize the solution or its derivative to construct the spatial two-dimensional interpolation polynomials with the third-order accuracy. The first reconstruction method denoted by TWENO constructs the polynomials by the Taylor expansion, while the second one denoted by HWENO adopts the Hermite interpolation polynomials. By combining the polynomials with the WENO limiter, these schemes can provide required reconstructed values at the midpoints and corner-points of the cell interfaces for the framework and avoid oscillations near discontinuities. A discontinuity-detector technology is adopted to improve the computational efficiency of these reconstruction methods in simulating complex flows. Several numerical test cases are conducted and show that these third-order methods achieve their design accuracy and capture the shock waves with no overshoots or oscillations. The multidimensional nature of the solutions is kept well by the TWENO/HWENO methods, and the computational time is reduced by about 30% with the discontinuity-detector technology. Moreover, it is found that the genuinely two-dimensional Riemann solver fits the third-order reconstruction methods naturally due to its unique application of a Simpson rule.

Improvement of the genuinely multidimensional ME-AUSMPW scheme for subsonic flows

Since proposed, the genuinely multidimensional Riemann solvers have been attracting more attentions because it considers the waves normal and parallel to the cell interfaces at the same time. However, all these methods are built upon the hyperbolic property of the compressible Euler equations. Therefore, they can not be applied to solve the Euler equations in steady subsonic cases which are with the elliptic property. In this study, a novel multidimensional Riemann solver called MULE-AUSMPWM (Multidimensional E-AUSMPW Modified) is proposed. It is built upon the Zha–Bilgen splitting procedure and adopts the Balsara's multidimensional wave model as the ME-AUSMPW scheme. In addition, it improves the ME-AUSMPW scheme's accuracy at subsonic speeds by avoiding simulating the convective fluxes in fully upwind manners. Extensive numerical tests, such as the two dimensional Euler problem, the one dimensional moving contact discontinuity case, the two-dimensional double Mach reflection case, the two-dimensional Riemann problem, and the turbulent flow past a 2d NACA0012 airfoil case, are conducted. Results illustrate that the MULE-AUSMPWM scheme proposed is capable of simulating compressible complex flows and improving the existing multidimensional Riemann solvers' accuracy at subsonic speeds remarkably.

A hybrid multidimensional Riemann solver to couple self-similar method with MULTV method for complex flows

Since proposed, the self-similarity variables based genuinely multidimensional Riemann solver is attracting more attentions due to its high resolution in multidimensional complex flows. However, it needs numerous logical operations in supersonic cases, which limit the method’s applicability in engineering problems greatly. In order to overcome this defect, a hybrid multidimensional Riemann solver, called HMTHS (Hybrid of MulTv and multidimensional HLL scheme based on Self-similar structures), is proposed. It simulates the strongly interacting zone by adopting the MHLLES (Multidimensional Harten-Lax-van Leer-Eifeldt scheme based on Self-similar structures) scheme at subsonic speeds, which is with a high resolution by considering the second moment in the similarity variables. Also, it adopts the MULTV (Multidimensional Toro and Vasquez) scheme, which is with a high resolution in capturing discontinuities, to simulate the flux at supersonic speeds. Systematic numerical experiments, including both one-dimensional cases and two-dimensional cases, are conducted. One-dimensional moving contact discontinuity case and sod shock tube case suggest that HMTHS can accurately capture one-dimensional expansion waves, shock waves, and linear contact discontinuities. Two-dimensional cases, such as the double Mach reflection case, the supersonic shock / boundary layer interaction case, the hypersonic flow over the cylinder case, and the hypersonic viscous flow over the double-ellipsoid case, indicate that the HMTHS scheme is with a high resolution in simulating multidimensional complex flows. Therefore, it is promising to be widely applied in both scholar and engineering areas.

Optimal, globally constraint-preserving, DG(TD)2 schemes for computational electrodynamics based on two-derivative Runge-Kutta timestepping and multidimensional generalized Riemann problem solvers – A von Neumann stability analysis

Discontinuous Galerkin (DG) methods have become mainstays in the accurate solution of hyperbolic systems, which suggests that they should also be important for computational electrodynamics (CED). Typically DG schemes are coupled with Runge-Kutta timestepping, resulting in RKDG schemes, which are also sometimes called DGTD schemes in the CED community. However, Maxwell's equations, which are solved in CED codes, have global mimetic constraints. In Balsara and Käppeli [von Neumann Stability Analysis of Globally Constraint-Preserving DGTD and PNPM Schemes for the Maxwell Equations using Multidimensional Riemann Solvers, Journal of Computational Physics, 376 (2019) 1108-1137] the authors presented globally constraint-preserving DGTD schemes for CED. The resulting schemes had excellent low dissipation and low dispersion properties. Their one deficiency was that the maximal permissible CFL of DGTD schemes decreased with increasing order of accuracy. The goal of this paper is to show how this deficiency is overcome. Because CED entails the propagation of electromagnetic waves, we would also like to obtain DG schemes for CED that minimize dissipation and dispersion errors even more than the prior generation of DGTD schemes.Two recent advances make this possible. The first advance, which has been reported elsewhere, is the development of a multidimensional Generalized Riemann Problem (GRP) solver. The second advance relates to the use of Two Derivative Runge Kutta (TDRK) timestepping. This timestepping uses not just the solution of the multidimensional Riemann problem, it also uses the solution of the multidimensional GRP. When these two advances are melded together, we arrive at DG(TD)2 schemes for CED, where the first “TD” stands for time-derivative and the second “TD” stands for the TDRK timestepping. The first goal of this paper is to show how DG(TD)2 schemes for CED can be formulated with the help of the multidimensional GRP and TDRK timestepping. The second goal of this paper is to utilize the free parameters in TDRK timestepping to arrive at DG(TD)2 schemes for CED that offer a uniformly large CFL with increasing order of accuracy while minimizing the dissipation and dispersion errors to exceptionally low values. The third goal of this paper is to document a von Neumann stability analysis of DG(TD)2 schemes so that their dissipation and dispersion properties can be quantified and studied in detail.At second order we find a DG(TD)2 scheme with CFL of 0.25 and improved dissipation and dispersion properties; for a second order scheme. At third order we present a novel DG(TD)2 scheme with CFL of 0.2571 and improved dissipation and dispersion properties; for a third order scheme. At fourth order we find a DG(TD)2 scheme with CFL of 0.2322 and improved dissipation and dispersion properties. As an extra benefit, the resulting DG(TD)2 schemes for CED require fewer synchronization steps on parallel supercomputers than comparable DGTD schemes for CED. We also document some test problems to show that the methods achieve their design accuracy.

A constrained transport method for the solution of the resistive relativistic MHD equations

We describe a novel Godunov-type numerical method for solving the equations of resistive relativistic magnetohydrodynamics. In the proposed approach, the spatial components of both magnetic and electric fields are located at zone interfaces and are evolved using the constrained transport formalism. Direct application of Stokes' theorem to Faraday's and Ampere's laws ensures that the resulting discretization is divergence-free for the magnetic field and charge-conserving for the electric field. Hydrodynamic variables retain, instead, the usual zone-centred representation commonly adopted in finite-volume schemes. Temporal discretization is based on Runge-Kutta implicit-explicit (IMEX) schemes in order to resolve the temporal scale disparity introduced by the stiff source term in Ampere's law. The implicit step is accomplished by means of an improved and more efficient Newton-Broyden multidimensional root-finding algorithm. The explicit step relies on a multidimensional Riemann solver to compute the line-averaged electric and magnetic fields at zone edges and it employs a one-dimensional Riemann solver at zone interfaces to update zone-centred hydrodynamic quantities. For the latter, we introduce a five-wave solver based on the frozen limit of the relaxation system whereby the solution to the Riemann problem can be decomposed into an outer Maxwell solver and an inner hydrodynamic solver. A number of numerical benchmarks demonstrate that our method is superior in stability and robustness to the more popular charge-conserving divergence cleaning approach where both primary electric and magnetic fields are zone-centered. In addition, the employment of a less diffusive Riemann solver noticeably improves the accuracy of the computations.

Von Neumann stability analysis of globally constraint-preserving DGTD and PNPM schemes for the Maxwell equations using multidimensional Riemann solvers

The time-dependent equations of computational electrodynamics (CED) are evolved consistent with the divergence constraints on the electric displacement and magnetic induction vector fields. Respecting these constraints has proved to be very useful in the classic finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) schemes. As a result, there has been a recent effort to design finite volume time domain (FVTD) and discontinuous Galerkin time domain (DGTD) schemes that satisfy the same constraints and, nevertheless, draw on recent advances in higher order Godunov methods. This paper catalogues the first step in the design of globally constraint-preserving DGTD schemes. The algorithms presented here are based on a novel DG-like method that is applied to a Yee-type staggering of the electromagnetic field variables in the faces of the mesh. The other two novel building blocks of the method include constraint-preserving reconstruction of the electromagnetic fields and multidimensional Riemann solvers; both of which have been developed in recent years by the first author.The resulting DGTD scheme is linear, at least when limiters are not applied to the DG scheme. As a result, it is possible to carry out a von Neumann stability analysis of the entire suite of DGTD schemes for CED at orders of accuracy ranging from second to fourth. The analysis requires some simplifications in order to make it analytically tractable, however, it proves to be extremely instructive. A von Neumann stability analysis is a necessary precursor to the design of a full DGTD scheme for CED. It gives us the maximal CFL numbers that can be sustained by the DGTD schemes presented here at all orders. It also enables us to understand the wave propagation characteristics of the schemes in various directions on a Cartesian mesh. We find that constraint-preserving DGTD schemes permit CFL numbers that are competitive with conventional DG schemes. However, like conventional DG schemes, the CFL of DGTD schemes decreases with increasing order. To counteract that, we also present constraint-preserving PNPM schemes for CED. We find that the third and fourth order constraint-preserving DGTD and P1PM schemes have some extremely attractive properties when it comes to low-dispersion, low-dissipation propagation of electromagnetic waves in multidimensions. Numerical accuracy tests are also provided to support the von Neumann stability analysis. We expect these methods to play a role in those problems of engineering CED where exceptional precision must be achieved at any cost.

Multidimensional Riemann problem with self-similar internal structure – part III – a multidimensional analogue of the HLLI Riemann solver for conservative hyperbolic systems

Just as the quality of a one-dimensional approximate Riemann solver is improved by the inclusion of internal sub-structure, the quality of a multidimensional Riemann solver is also similarly improved. Such multidimensional Riemann problems arise when multiple states come together at the vertex of a mesh. The interaction of the resulting one-dimensional Riemann problems gives rise to a strongly-interacting state. We wish to endow this strongly-interacting state with physically-motivated sub-structure. The fastest way of endowing such sub-structure consists of making a multidimensional extension of the HLLI Riemann solver for hyperbolic conservation laws. Presenting such a multidimensional analogue of the HLLI Riemann solver with linear sub-structure for use on structured meshes is the goal of this work. The multidimensional MuSIC Riemann solver documented here is universal in the sense that it can be applied to any hyperbolic conservation law.The multidimensional Riemann solver is made to be consistent with constraints that emerge naturally from the Galerkin projection of the self-similar states within the wave model. When the full eigenstructure in both directions is used in the present Riemann solver, it becomes a complete Riemann solver in a multidimensional sense. I.e., all the intermediate waves are represented in the multidimensional wave model. The work also presents, for the very first time, an important analysis of the dissipation characteristics of multidimensional Riemann solvers. The present Riemann solver results in the most efficient implementation of a multidimensional Riemann solver with sub-structure. Because it preserves stationary linearly degenerate waves, it might also help with well-balancing. Implementation-related details are presented in pointwise fashion for the one-dimensional HLLI Riemann solver as well as the multidimensional MuSIC Riemann solver.Several stringent test problems drawn from hydrodynamics, MHD and relativistic MHD are presented to show that the method works very well on structured meshes. Our results demonstrate the versatility of our method. The reader is also invited to watch a video introduction to multidimensional Riemann solvers on http://www.nd.edu/~dbalsara/Numerical-PDE-Course.

Von Neumann stability analysis of globally divergence-free RKDG schemes for the induction equation using multidimensional Riemann solvers

In this paper we focus on the numerical solution of the induction equation using Runge–Kutta Discontinuous Galerkin (RKDG)-like schemes that are globally divergence-free. The induction equation plays a role in numerical MHD and other systems like it. It ensures that the magnetic field evolves in a divergence-free fashion; and that same property is shared by the numerical schemes presented here. The algorithms presented here are based on a novel DG-like method as it applies to the magnetic field components in the faces of a mesh. (I.e., this is not a conventional DG algorithm for conservation laws.) The other two novel building blocks of the method include divergence-free reconstruction of the magnetic field and multidimensional Riemann solvers; both of which have been developed in recent years by the first author.Since the method is linear, a von Neumann stability analysis is carried out in two-dimensions to understand its stability properties. The von Neumann stability analysis that we develop in this paper relies on transcribing from a modal to a nodal DG formulation in order to develop discrete evolutionary equations for the nodal values. These are then coupled to a suitable Runge–Kutta timestepping strategy so that one can analyze the stability of the entire scheme which is suitably high order in space and time.We show that our scheme permits CFL numbers that are comparable to those of traditional RKDG schemes. We also analyze the wave propagation characteristics of the method and show that with increasing order of accuracy the wave propagation becomes more isotropic and free of dissipation for a larger range of long wavelength modes. This makes a strong case for investing in higher order methods. We also use the von Neumann stability analysis to show that the divergence-free reconstruction and multidimensional Riemann solvers are essential algorithmic ingredients of a globally divergence-free RKDG-like scheme.Numerical accuracy analyses of the RKDG-like schemes are presented and compared with the accuracy of PNPM schemes. It is found that PNPM retrieve much of the accuracy of the RKDG-like schemes while permitting a larger CFL number.

Riemann solvers and Alfven waves in black hole magnetospheres.

In the magnetosphere of a rotating black hole, an inner Alfven critical surface (IACS) must be crossed by inflowing plasma. Inside the IACS, Alfven waves are inward directed toward the black hole. The majority of the proper volume of the active region of spacetime (the ergosphere) is inside of the IACS. The charge and the totally transverse momentum flux (the momentum flux transverse to both the wave normal and the unperturbed magnetic field) are both determined exclusively by the Alfven polarization. Thus, it is important for numerical simulations of black hole magnetospheres to minimize the dissipation of Alfven waves. Elements of the dissipated wave emerge in adjacent cells regardless of the IACS, there is no mechanism to prevent Alfvenic information from crossing outward. Thus, numerical dissipation can affect how simulated magnetospheres attain the substantial Goldreich-Julian charge density associated with the rotating magnetic field. In order to help minimize dissipation of Alfven waves in relativistic numerical simulations we have formulated a one-dimensional Riemann solver, called HLLI, which incorporates the Alfven discontinuity and the contact discontinuity. We have also formulated a multidimensional Riemann solver, called MuSIC, that enables low dissipation propagation of Alfven waves in multiple dimensions. The importance of higher order schemes in lowering the numerical dissipation of Alfven waves is also catalogued.

A high-order relativistic two-fluid electrodynamic scheme with consistent reconstruction of electromagnetic fields and a multidimensional Riemann solver for electromagnetism

In various astrophysics settings it is common to have a two-fluid relativistic plasma that interacts with the electromagnetic field. While it is common to ignore the displacement current in the ideal, classical magnetohydrodynamic limit, when the flows become relativistic this approximation is less than absolutely well-justified. In such a situation, it is more natural to consider a positively charged fluid made up of positrons or protons interacting with a negatively charged fluid made up of electrons. The two fluids interact collectively with the full set of Maxwell's equations. As a result, a solution strategy for that coupled system of equations is sought and found here. Our strategy extends to higher orders, providing increasing accuracy. Three important innovations are reported here. In our first innovation, the magnetic field within each zone is reconstructed in a divergence-free fashion while the electric field within each zone is reconstructed in a form that is consistent with Gauss' law. In our second innovation, a multidimensionally upwinded strategy is presented which ensures that the magnetic field can be updated via a discrete interpretation of Faraday's law and the electric field can be updated via a discrete interpretation of the generalized Ampere's law. Our third innovation consists of an efficient design for several popular IMEX schemes so that they provide strong coupling between the finite-volume-based fluid solver and the electromagnetic fields at high order. Several accuracy analyses are presented showing that our method meets its design accuracy in the MHD limit as well as in the limit of electromagnetic wave propagation. Several stringent test problems are also presented. We also present a relativistic version of the GEM problem, which shows that our algorithm can successfully adapt to challenging problems in high energy astrophysics.

A subluminal relativistic magnetohydrodynamics scheme with ADER-WENO predictor and multidimensional Riemann solver-based corrector

The relativistic magnetohydrodynamics (RMHD) set of equations has recently seen increased use in astrophysical computations. Even so, RMHD codes remain fragile. The reconstruction can sometimes yield superluminal velocities in certain parts of the mesh. In this paper we present a reconstruction strategy that overcomes this problem by making a single conservative to primitive transformation per cell followed by higher order WENO reconstruction on a carefully chosen set of primitives that guarantee subluminal reconstruction of the flow variables. For temporal evolution via a predictor step we also present second, third and fourth order accurate ADER methods that keep the velocity subluminal during the predictor step. The RMHD system also requires the magnetic field to be evolved in a divergence-free fashion. In the treatment of classical numerical MHD the analogous issue has seen much recent progress with the advent of multidimensional Riemann solvers. By developing multidimensional Riemann solvers for RMHD, we show that similar advances extend to RMHD. As a result, the face-centered magnetic fields can be evolved much more accurately using the edge-centered electric fields in the corrector step. Those edge-centered electric fields come from a multidimensional Riemann solver for RMHD which we present in this paper. In this paper we also develop several new test problems for RMHD. We show that RMHD vortices can be designed that propagate on the computational mesh as self-preserving structures. These RMHD vortex test problems provide a means to do truly multidimensional accuracy testing for RMHD codes. Several other stringent test problems are presented. We show the importance of resolution in certain test problems. Our tests include a demonstration that RMHD vortices are stable when they interact with shocks.

A two-dimensional Riemann solver with self-similar sub-structure – Alternative formulation based on least squares projection

Just as the quality of a one-dimensional approximate Riemann solver is improved by the inclusion of internal sub-structure, the quality of a multidimensional Riemann solver is also similarly improved. Such multidimensional Riemann problems arise when multiple states come together at the vertex of a mesh. The interaction of the resulting one-dimensional Riemann problems gives rise to a strongly-interacting state. We wish to endow this strongly-interacting state with physically-motivated sub-structure. The self-similar formulation of Balsara [16] proves especially useful for this purpose. While that work is based on a Galerkin projection, in this paper we present an analogous self-similar formulation that is based on a different interpretation. In the present formulation, we interpret the shock jumps at the boundary of the strongly-interacting state quite literally. The enforcement of the shock jump conditions is done with a least squares projection (Vides, Nkonga and Audit [67]). With that interpretation, we again show that the multidimensional Riemann solver can be endowed with sub-structure. However, we find that the most efficient implementation arises when we use a flux vector splitting and a least squares projection. An alternative formulation that is based on the full characteristic matrices is also presented. The multidimensional Riemann solvers that are demonstrated here use one-dimensional HLLC Riemann solvers as building blocks.Several stringent test problems drawn from hydrodynamics and MHD are presented to show that the method works. Results from structured and unstructured meshes demonstrate the versatility of our method. The reader is also invited to watch a video introduction to multidimensional Riemann solvers on http://www.nd.edu/~dbalsara/Numerical-PDE-Course.

Divergence-free MHD on unstructured meshes using high order finite volume schemes based on multidimensional Riemann solvers

Several advances have been reported in the recent literature on divergence-free finite volume schemes for Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). Almost all of these advances are restricted to structured meshes. To retain full geometric versatility, however, it is also very important to make analogous advances in divergence-free schemes for MHD on unstructured meshes. Such schemes utilize a staggered Yee-type mesh, where all hydrodynamic quantities (mass, momentum and energy density) are cell-centered, while the magnetic fields are face-centered and the electric fields, which are so useful for the time update of the magnetic field, are centered at the edges.Three important advances are brought together in this paper in order to make it possible to have high order accurate finite volume schemes for the MHD equations on unstructured meshes. First, it is shown that a divergence-free WENO reconstruction of the magnetic field can be developed for unstructured meshes in two and three space dimensions using a classical cell-centered WENO algorithm, without the need to do a WENO reconstruction for the magnetic field on the faces. This is achieved via a novel constrained L2-projection operator that is used in each time step as a postprocessor of the cell-centered WENO reconstruction so that the magnetic field becomes locally and globally divergence free. Second, it is shown that recently-developed genuinely multidimensional Riemann solvers (called MuSIC Riemann solvers) can be used on unstructured meshes to obtain a multidimensionally upwinded representation of the electric field at each edge. Third, the above two innovations work well together with a high order accurate one-step ADER time stepping strategy, which requires the divergence-free nonlinear WENO reconstruction procedure to be carried out only once per time step.The resulting divergence-free ADER–WENO schemes with MuSIC Riemann solvers give us an efficient and easily-implemented strategy for divergence-free MHD on unstructured meshes. Several stringent two- and three-dimensional problems are shown to work well with the methods presented here.

Three dimensional HLL Riemann solver for conservation laws on structured meshes; Application to Euler and magnetohydrodynamic flows

In this paper we build on our prior work on multidimensional Riemann solvers by detailing the construction of a three-dimensional HLL Riemann solver. As with the two-dimensional Riemann solver, this is accomplished by introducing a constant resolved state between the states being considered, which introduces sufficient dissipation for systems of conservation laws. Closed form expressions for the resolved fluxes are provided to facilitate numerical implementation. This is accomplished by introducing a novel derivation of the multidimensional Riemann solver. The novelty consists of integrating Lagrangian fluxes across moving surfaces. This makes the problem easier to visualize in three dimensions. (A video introduction to multidimensional Riemann solvers is available on http://www.nd.edu/~dbalsara/Numerical-PDE-Course.)A robust and efficient second order accurate numerical scheme for three dimensional Euler and MHD flows is presented. The scheme is built on the current three-dimensional Riemann solver and has been implemented in the author's RIEMANN code. We demonstrate that schemes that are based on the three-dimensional Riemann solver permit multidimensional discontinuities to propagate more isotropically on resolution-starved meshes. The number of zones updated per second by this scheme on a modern processor is shown to be cost competitive with schemes that are based on a one-dimensional Riemann solver. However, the present scheme permits larger timesteps in three dimensions because of its inclusion of genuinely three-dimensional effects in the flow. For MHD problems it is not necessary to double the dissipation when evaluating the edge-centered electric fields.Accuracy analysis for three-dimensional Euler and MHD problems shows that the scheme meets its design accuracy. Several stringent test problems involving Euler and MHD flows are also presented and the scheme is shown to perform robustly on all of them. For the very first time, we present the formulation and solution of three-dimensional Riemann problems.

Multidimensional Riemann problem with self-similar internal structure. Part II – Application to hyperbolic conservation laws on unstructured meshes

Multidimensional Riemann solvers that have internal sub-structure in the strongly-interacting state have been formulated recently (D.S. Balsara (2012, 2014) [5,16]). Any multidimensional Riemann solver operates at the grid vertices and takes as its input all the states from its surrounding elements. It yields as its output an approximation of the strongly interacting state, as well as the numerical fluxes. The multidimensional Riemann problem produces a self-similar strongly-interacting state which is the result of several one-dimensional Riemann problems interacting with each other. To compute this strongly interacting state and its higher order moments we propose the use of a Galerkin-type formulation to compute the strongly interacting state and its higher order moments in terms of similarity variables. The use of substructure in the Riemann problem reduces numerical dissipation and, therefore, allows a better preservation of flow structures, like contact and shear waves. In this second part of a series of papers we describe how this technique is extended to unstructured triangular meshes. All necessary details for a practical computer code implementation are discussed. In particular, we explicitly present all the issues related to computational geometry. Because these Riemann solvers are Multidimensional and have Self-similar strongly-Interacting states that are obtained by Consistency with the conservation law, we call them MuSIC Riemann solvers. (A video introduction to multidimensional Riemann solvers is available on http://www.nd.edu/~dbalsara/Numerical-PDE-Course.)The MuSIC framework is sufficiently general to handle general nonlinear systems of hyperbolic conservation laws in multiple space dimensions. It can also accommodate all self-similar one-dimensional Riemann solvers and subsequently produces a multidimensional version of the same. In this paper we focus on unstructured triangular meshes. As examples of different systems of conservation laws we consider the Euler equations of compressible gas dynamics as well as the equations of ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). Several stringent test problems are solved for both PDE systems.

Multidimensional Riemann problem with self-similar internal structure. Part I – Application to hyperbolic conservation laws on structured meshes

Multidimensional Riemann solvers have been formulated recently by the author (Balsara, 2010, 2012) [6,7]. They operate at the vertices of a two-dimensional mesh, taking input from all the neighboring states and yielding the resolved state and fluxes as output. The multidimensional Riemann problem produces a self-similar strongly interacting state which is the result of several one-dimensional Riemann problems interacting with each other. The prior work was restricted to the use of one-dimensional HLLC Riemann solvers as building blocks. In this paper, we formulate the problem in similarity variables. As a result, any self-similar one-dimensional Riemann solver can be used as a building block for the multidimensional Riemann solver. This paper focuses on the structure of the strongly-interacting state. (A video introduction to multidimensional Riemann solvers is available on http://www.nd.edu/~dbalsara/Numerical-PDE-Course.)In this work the strongly-interacting state is expanded in a set of basis functions that depend on the similarity variables. Consequently, the resolved state and the fluxes can be endowed with considerably richer sub-structure compared to prior work. Unlike the multidimensional HLLC Riemann solver, the need to independently specify a direction for the evolution of the contact discontinuity is eliminated. The richer sub-structure in the strongly-interacting state naturally accommodates waves that may be moving in any direction relative to the mesh, thereby minimizing mesh-imprinting. Two formulations are presented. The first formulation does not linearize the problem around a favorable state. Its derivation takes a few cues from the derivation of the multidimensional HLL Riemann solver. The second formulation identifies such a state and carries out a linearization of the fluxes about that state.This paper is the very first time that a series solution of the multidimensional Riemann problem has been presented. Explicit formulae are presented for up to quartic variation in the self-similar variables. While linear variations are sufficient for numerical work, the higher order terms in the series solution could prove useful for analytical studies of the multidimensional Riemann problem.The formulation presented here is general enough to accommodate any hyperbolic conservation law. It can also accommodate any one-dimensional Riemann solver and yields a multidimensional version of the same. It has been incorporated in the author's RIEMANN code. As examples of the different types of hyperbolic conservation laws, we use Euler flow, Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) and relativistic MHD. As examples of different types of Riemann solvers, we show multidimensional formulations of HLL, HLLC and HLLD Riemann solvers for MHD all working fluently within this formulation. Several stringent test problems are presented.

Lagrangian ADER-WENO finite volume schemes on unstructured triangular meshes based on genuinely multidimensional HLL Riemann solvers

In this paper we use the genuinely multidimensional HLL Riemann solvers recently developed by Balsara et al. in [13] to construct a new class of computationally efficient high order Lagrangian ADER-WENO one-step ALE finite volume schemes on unstructured triangular meshes. A nonlinear WENO reconstruction operator allows the algorithm to achieve high order of accuracy in space, while high order of accuracy in time is obtained by the use of an ADER time-stepping technique based on a local space–time Galerkin predictor. The multidimensional HLL and HLLC Riemann solvers operate at each vertex of the grid, considering the entire Voronoi neighborhood of each node and allow for larger time steps than conventional one-dimensional Riemann solvers. The results produced by the multidimensional Riemann solver are then used twice in our one-step ALE algorithm: first, as a node solver that assigns a unique velocity vector to each vertex, in order to preserve the continuity of the computational mesh; second, as a building block for genuinely multidimensional numerical flux evaluation that allows the scheme to run with larger time steps compared to conventional finite volume schemes that use classical one-dimensional Riemann solvers in normal direction. The space–time flux integral computation is carried out at the boundaries of each triangular space–time control volume using the Simpson quadrature rule in space and Gauss–Legendre quadrature in time. A rezoning step may be necessary in order to overcome element overlapping or crossing-over. Since our one-step ALE finite volume scheme is based directly on a space–time conservation formulation of the governing PDE system, the remapping stage is not needed, making our algorithm a so-called direct ALE method.We apply the method presented in this article to two systems of hyperbolic conservation laws, namely the Euler equations of compressible gas dynamics and the equations of ideal classical magneto-hydrodynamics (MHD). Convergence studies up to fourth order of accuracy in space and time have been carried out. Several numerical test problems have been solved to validate the new approach. Furthermore, the new high order Lagrangian schemes based on genuinely multidimensional Riemann solvers have been carefully compared with high order Lagrangian finite volume schemes based on conventional one-dimensional Riemann solvers. It has been clearly shown that due to the less restrictive CFL condition the new schemes based on multidimensional HLL and HLLC Riemann solvers are computationally more efficient than the ones based on a conventional one-dimensional Riemann solver technique.