Time-accurate Local Time Stepping Research Articles

Discontinuous Galerkin Methods for Compressible and Incompressible Flows on Space–Time Adaptive Meshes: Toward a Novel Family of Efficient Numerical Methods for Fluid Dynamics

In this work the numerical discretization of the partial differential governing equations for compressible and incompressible flows is dealt within the discontinuous Galerkin (DG) framework along space–time adaptive meshes. Two main numerical frameworks can be distinguished: (1) fully explicit ADER-DG methods on collocated grids for compressible fluids (2) spectral semi-implicit and spectral space–time DG methods on edge-based staggered grids for the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations. In this work, the high-resolution properties of the aforementioned numerical methods are significantly enhanced within a 'cell-by-cell' Adaptive Mesh Refinement (AMR) implementation together with time accurate local time stepping (LTS). It is a well known fact that a major weakness of high order DG methods lies in the difficulty of limiting discontinuous solutions, which generate spurious oscillations, namely the so-called 'Gibbs phenomenon'. Over the years, several attempts have been made to cope with this problem and different kinds of limiters have been proposed. In this work the nonlinear stabilization of the scheme is sequentially and locally introduced only for troubled cells on the basis of a multidimensional optimal order detection (MOOD) criterion. ADER-DG is a novel, communication-avoiding family of algorithms, which achieves high order of accuracy in time not via the standard multi-stage Runge–Kutta (RK) time discretization like most other DG schemes, but at the aid of an element-local predictor stage. In practice the method first produces a so-called candidate solution by using a high order accurate unlimited DG scheme. Then, in those cells where at least one of the chosen admissibility criteria is violated the computed candidate solution is detected as troubled and is locally rejected. Next, the numerical solution of the previous time step is scattered onto cell averages on a suitable sub-grid in order to preserve the natural sub-cell resolution of the DG scheme. Then, a more reliable numerical solution is recomputed a posteriori by employing a more robust but still very accurate ADER-WENO finite volume scheme on the sub-grid averages within that troubled cell. Finally, a high order DG polynomial is reconstructed back from the evolved sub-cell averages. In the ADER-DG framework several PDE system are investigated, ranging from the Euler equations of compressible gas dynamics, over the viscous and resistive magneto-hydrodynamics (MHD), to special and general relativistic MHD. Indeed, the adopted formalism is quite general, leading to a novel family of adaptive ADER-DG schemes suitable for hyperbolic systems of partial differential equations in which the numerical fluxes also depend on the gradient of the state vector because of the parabolic nature of diffusive terms. The presented results show clearly that the high-resolution and shock-capturing capabilities of the news schemes are significantly enhanced within the cell-by-cell AMR implementation together with time accurate LTS. A special treatment has been followed for the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations. In fact, the elliptic character of the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations introduces an important difficulty in their numerical solution: whenever the smallest physical or numerical perturbation arises in the fluid flow then it will instantaneously affect the entire computational domain. Thus, a semi-implicit approach has been used. The main advantage of making use of a semi-implicit discretization is that the numerical stability can be obtained for large time-steps without leading to an excessive computational demand. In this context, we derived two new families of spectral semi-implicit and spectral space–time DG methods for the solution of the two and three dimensional Navier–Stokes equations on edge-based adaptive staggered Cartesian grids. The discrete solutions of pressure and velocity are expressed in the form of piecewise polynomials along different meshes. While the pressure is defined on the control volumes of the main grid, the velocity components are defined on edge-based dual control volumes, leading to a spatially staggered mesh. In the first family, high order of accuracy is achieved only in space, while a simple semi-implicit time discretization is derived by introducing an implicitness factor $$\theta \in [0.5,1]$$ for the pressure gradient in the momentum equation. The real advantages of the staggering arise after substituting the discrete momentum equation into the weak form of the continuity equation. In fact, the resulting linear system for the pressure is symmetric and positive definite and either block penta-diagonal (in 2D) or block hepta-diagonal (in 3D). As a consequence, the pressure system can be solved very efficiently by means of a classical matrix-free conjugate gradient method. The resulting algorithm is stable, computationally very efficient, and at the same time arbitrary high order accurate in both space and time. This new numerical method has been thoroughly validated for approximation polynomials of degree up to $$N = 12$$, using a large set of non-trivial test problems in two and three space dimensions, for which either analytical, numerical or experimental reference solutions exist.

ADER discontinuous Galerkin schemes for general-relativistic ideal magnetohydrodynamics

We present a new class of high-order accurate numerical algorithms for solving the equations of general-relativistic ideal magnetohydrodynamics in curved spacetimes. In this paper we assume the background spacetime to be given and static, i.e., we make use of the Cowling approximation. The governing partial differential equations are solved via a new family of fully-discrete and arbitrary high-order accurate path-conservative discontinuous Galerkin (DG) finite-element methods combined with adaptive mesh refinement and time accurate local timestepping. In order to deal with shock waves and other discontinuities, the highorder DG schemes are supplemented with a novel a-posteriori subcell finite-volume limiter, which makes the new algorithms as robust as classical second-order total-variation diminishing finite-volume methods at shocks and discontinuities, but also as accurate as unlimited high-order DG schemes in smooth regions of the flow. We show the advantages of this new approach by means of various classical two- and three-dimensional benchmark problems on fixed spacetimes. Finally, we present a performance and accuracy comparisons between Runge-Kutta DG schemes and ADER high-order finite-volume schemes, showing the higher efficiency of DG schemes.

A conservative finite volume scheme with time-accurate local time stepping for scalar transport on unstructured grids

In this article we propose a new conservative high resolution TVD (total variation diminishing) finite volume scheme with time-accurate local time stepping (LTS) on unstructured grids for the solution of scalar transport problems, which are typical in the context of water quality simulations. To keep the presentation of the new method as simple as possible, the algorithm is only derived in two space dimensions and for purely convective transport problems, hence neglecting diffusion and reaction terms. The new numerical method for the solution of the scalar transport is directly coupled to the hydrodynamic model of Casulli and Walters (2000) that provides the dynamics of the free surface and the velocity vector field based on a semi-implicit discretization of the shallow water equations. Wetting and drying is handled rigorously by the nonlinear algorithm proposed by Casulli (2009). The new time-accurate LTS algorithm allows a different time step size for each element of the unstructured grid, based on an element-local Courant-Friedrichs-Lewy (CFL) stability condition. The proposed method does not need any synchronization between different time steps of different elements and is by construction locally and globally conservative. The LTS scheme is based on a piecewise linear polynomial reconstruction in space–time using the MUSCL–Hancock method, to obtain second order of accuracy in both space and time.The new algorithm is first validated on some classical test cases for pure advection problems, for which exact solutions are known. In all cases we obtain a very good level of accuracy, showing also numerical convergence results; we furthermore confirm mass conservation up to machine precision and observe an improved computational efficiency compared to a standard second order TVD scheme for scalar transport with global time stepping (GTS). Then, the new LTS method is applied to some more complex problems, where the new scalar transport scheme has also been coupled to a semi-implicit model for the simulation of the free surface hydrodynamics, including nonlinear wetting and drying. The last application shown in this paper is carried out on a real geometry, for which we have taken available DTM data of the lake Guaiba in Brazil. Comparisons have been made in all cases with a second order TVD scheme based on GTS. For the new LTS algorithm we report a significant reduction in computational effort, with a savings of CPU time of the order of up to 95%.

Solving the relativistic magnetohydrodynamics equations with ADER discontinuous Galerkin methods, a posteriori subcell limiting and adaptive mesh refinement

We present a new numerical tool for solving the special relativistic ideal MHD equations that is based on the combination of the following three key features: (i) a one-step ADER discontinuous Galerkin (DG) scheme that allows for an arbitrary order of accuracy in both space and time, (ii) an a posteriori subcell finite volume limiter that is activated to avoid spurious oscillations at discontinuities without destroying the natural subcell resolution capabilities of the DG finite element framework and finally (iii) a space-time adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) framework with time-accurate local time-stepping. The divergence-free character of the magnetic field is instead taken into account through the so-called "divergence-cleaning" approach. The convergence of the new scheme is verified up to 5th order in space and time and the results for a set of significant numerical tests including shock tube problems, the RMHD rotor and blast wave problems, as well as the Orszag-Tang vortex system are shown. We also consider a simple case of the relativistic Kelvin-Helmholtz instability with a magnetic field, emphasizing the potential of the new method for studying turbulent RMHD flows. We discuss the advantages of our new approach when the equations of relativistic MHD need to be solved with high accuracy within various astrophysical systems.

High order numerical simulations of the Richtmyer– Meshkov instability in a relativistic fluid

We study the Richtmyer–Meshkov (RM) instability of a relativistic perfect fluid by means of high order numerical simulations with adaptive mesh refinement (AMR). The numerical scheme combines a finite volume reconstruction in space, a local space-time discontinuous Galerkin predictor method, a high order one-step time update scheme, and a “cell-by-cell” space-time AMR strategy with time-accurate local time stepping. In this way, third order accurate (both in space and in time) numerical simulations of the RM instability are performed, spanning a wide parameter space. We present results both for the case in which a light fluid penetrates into a higher density one (Atwood number A > 0) and for the case in which a heavy fluid penetrates into a lower density one (Atwood number A < 0). We find that for large Lorentz factors γs of the incident shock wave, the relativistic RM instability is substantially weakened and ultimately suppressed. More specifically, the growth rate of the RM instability in the linear phase has a local maximum which occurs at a critical value of γs ≈ [1.2, 2]. Moreover, we have also revealed a genuinely relativistic effect, absent in Newtonian hydrodynamics, which arises in three dimensional configurations with a non-zero velocity component tangent to the incident shock front. In particular, in A > 0 models, the tangential velocity has a net magnification effect, while in A < 0 models, the tangential velocity has a net suppression effect.

High order cell-centered Lagrangian-type finite volume schemes with time-accurate local time stepping on unstructured triangular meshes

We present a novel cell-centered direct Arbitrary-Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) finite volume scheme on unstructured triangular meshes that is high order accurate in space and time and that also allows for time-accurate local time stepping (LTS). It extends our previous investigations on high order Lagrangian finite volume schemes with LTS carried out in [46] in one space dimension. The new scheme uses the following basic ingredients: a high order WENO reconstruction in space on unstructured meshes, an element-local high-order accurate space–time Galerkin predictor that performs the time evolution of the reconstructed polynomials within each element, the computation of numerical ALE fluxes at the moving element interfaces through approximate Riemann solvers, and a one-step finite volume scheme for the time update which is directly based on the integral form of the conservation equations in space–time. The inclusion of the LTS algorithm requires a number of crucial extensions, such as a proper scheduling criterion for the time update of each element and for each node; a virtual projection of the elements contained in the reconstruction stencils of the element that has to perform the WENO reconstruction; and the proper computation of the fluxes through the space–time boundary surfaces that will inevitably contain hanging nodes in time due to the LTS algorithm.We have validated our new unstructured Lagrangian LTS approach over a wide sample of test cases solving the Euler equations of compressible gas dynamics in two space dimensions, including shock tube problems, cylindrical explosion problems, as well as specific tests typically adopted in Lagrangian calculations, such as the Kidder, the Saltzman and the Sedov problem. When compared to the traditional global time stepping (GTS) method, the newly proposed LTS algorithm allows to reduce the number of element updates in a given simulation by a factor that may depend on the complexity of the dynamics, but which can be as large as ∼4.7. Finally, we have also shown the improvement in terms of computational efficiency in a representative test for the special relativistic magnetohydrodynamics (RMHD) equations.

A high order special relativistic hydrodynamic and magnetohydrodynamic code with space–time adaptive mesh refinement

We present a high order one-step ADER–WENO finite volume scheme with space–time adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) for the solution of the special relativistic hydrodynamic and magnetohydrodynamic equations. By adopting a local discontinuous Galerkin predictor method, a high order one-step time discretization is obtained, with no need for Runge–Kutta sub-steps. This turns out to be particularly advantageous in combination with space–time adaptive mesh refinement, which has been implemented following a “cell-by-cell” approach. As in existing second order AMR methods, also the present higher order AMR algorithm features time-accurate local time stepping (LTS), where grids on different spatial refinement levels are allowed to use different time steps.We also compare two different Riemann solvers for the computation of the numerical fluxes at the cell interfaces. The new scheme has been validated over a sample of numerical test problems in one, two and three spatial dimensions, exploring its ability in resolving the propagation of relativistic hydrodynamical and magnetohydrodynamical waves in different physical regimes. The astrophysical relevance of the new code for the study of the Richtmyer–Meshkov instability is briefly discussed in view of future applications.

Arbitrary-Lagrangian–Eulerian ADER–WENO finite volume schemes with time-accurate local time stepping for hyperbolic conservation laws

In this article a new high order accurate cell-centered Arbitrary-Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) Godunov-type finite volume method with time-accurate local time stepping (LTS) is presented. The method is by construction locally and globally conservative. The scheme is based on a one-step predictor–corrector methodology in space–time and uses three main building blocks: First, a high order piecewise polynomial WENO reconstruction, to obtain a high order data representation in space from the known cell averages of the underlying finite volume scheme. Second, a high order space–time Galerkin predictor step based on a weak formulation of the governing PDE on moving control volumes. Third, a high order one-step finite volume scheme, based directly on the integral formulation of the conservation law in space–time. The algorithm being entirely based on space–time control volumes naturally allows for hanging nodes also in time, hence in this framework the implementation of a consistent and conservative time-accurate LTS becomes very natural and simple. The method is validated on some classical shock tube problems for the Euler equations of compressible gas dynamics and the magnetohydrodynamics equations (MHD). The performance of the new scheme is compared with a classical high order ALE finite volume scheme based on global time stepping. To the knowledge of the author, this is the first high order accurate Lagrangian finite volume method ever presented together with a conservative and time-accurate local time stepping feature.

ADER-WENO finite volume schemes with space–time adaptive mesh refinement

We present the first high order one-step ADER-WENO finite volume scheme with adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) in multiple space dimensions. High order spatial accuracy is obtained through a WENO reconstruction, while a high order one-step time discretization is achieved using a local space–time discontinuous Galerkin predictor method. Due to the one-step nature of the underlying scheme, the resulting algorithm is particularly well suited for an AMR strategy on space–time adaptive meshes, i.e. with time-accurate local time stepping. The AMR property has been implemented ‘cell-by-cell’, with a standard tree-type algorithm, while the scheme has been parallelized via the message passing interface (MPI) paradigm. The new scheme has been tested over a wide range of examples for nonlinear systems of hyperbolic conservation laws, including the classical Euler equations of compressible gas dynamics and the equations of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). High order in space and time have been confirmed via a numerical convergence study and a detailed analysis of the computational speed-up with respect to highly refined uniform meshes is also presented. We also show test problems where the presented high order AMR scheme behaves clearly better than traditional second order AMR methods. The proposed scheme that combines for the first time high order ADER methods with space–time adaptive grids in two and three space dimensions is likely to become a useful tool in several fields of computational physics, applied mathematics and mechanics.

A High Order Sharp-Interface Method with Local Time Stepping for Compressible Multiphase Flows

AbstractIn this paper, a new sharp-interface approach to simulate compressible multiphase flows is proposed. The new scheme consists of a high order WENO finite volume scheme for solving the Euler equations coupled with a high order path-conservative discontinuous Galerkin finite element scheme to evolve an indicator function that tracks the material interface. At the interface our method applies ghost cells to compute the numerical flux, as the ghost fluid method. However, unlike the original ghost fluid scheme of Fedkiw et al. [15], the state of the ghost fluid is derived from an approximate-state Riemann solver, similar to the approach proposed in [25], but based on a much simpler formulation. Our formulation leads only to one single scalar nonlinear algebraic equation that has to be solved at the interface, instead of the system used in [25]. Away from the interface, we use the new general Osher-type flux recently proposed by Dumbser and Toro [13], which is a simple but complete Riemann solver, applicable to general hyperbolic conservation laws. The time integration is performed using a fully-discrete one-step scheme, based on the approaches recently proposed in [5,7]. This allows us to evolve the system also with time-accurate local time stepping. Due to the sub-cell resolution and the subsequent more restrictive time-step constraint of the DG scheme, a local evolution for the indicator function is applied, which is matched with the finite volume scheme for the solution of the Euler equations that runs with a larger time step. The use of a locally optimal time step avoids the introduction of excessive numerical diffusion in the finite volume scheme. Two different fluids have been used, namely an ideal gas and a weakly compressible fluid modeled by the Tait equation. Several tests have been computed to assess the accuracy and the performance of the new high order scheme. A verification of our algorithm has been carefully carried out using exact solutions as well as a comparison with other numerical reference solutions. The material interface is resolved sharply and accurately without spurious oscillations in the pressure field.