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Geometry-Sensitive, Solver-Independent Mesh Adaptation Using Hybrid Viscous and Hex-Core Meshing Techniques

AMS Seminar Series

Speaker: Nick Wyman and Travis Carrigan, Cadence Design Systems, Inc.

Presentation

Seminar Slide Deck (PDF-17MB)

Abstract

Simulation has the potential to provide insight, improve time-to-market and reliability, and reduce program cost. This assumes however, there is confidence in the results. And while there may be variations in turbulence modeling and numerical schemes, mesh generation tends to be less programmatic and more subjective despite the significant effect on solution accuracy. This is due in part to the fact that mesh generation is often done a priori and remains largely a manual process. Complex geometries, off-design prediction, inconsistent best practices, hardware availability, and even personal preferences influence the consistency with which meshes are generated within an organization.

At Cadence we recognize this and, in this presentation, will introduce a repeatable and user-independent approach to mesh generation using Pointwise by leveraging a goal-oriented framework coupled with hierarchical cartesian off-body meshing and adaptation. By focusing on meshing goals early in the process, company best practices can easily be standardized, resulting in more consistency and higher throughput. In addition, we'll show that by estimating truncation error and computing a target mesh-edge length, followed by updating the mesh with each adaptation step, we can robustly conform to the underlying geometry while retaining the boundary layer mesh resolution and schedule. In the end, this process improves mesh quality as adaptation progresses and with it so, too, does confidence in the results.

Biographies

Photo of Nick Wyman
Nick Wyman joined Pointwise in 1998 as a Gridgen developer and became manager of the development team. He received a BS in aerospace engineering and an MS in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M University in 1992 and 1994. Before joining Pointwise, he worked for Advanced Scientific Computing (later AEA Technology), performing CFD applications work and developing grid-generation software for turbomachinery. Now, as a software engineering director for Cadence, he focuses on Pointwise's research efforts. Mr. Wyman is an associate fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Photo of Travis Carrigan
Travis Carrigan joined Pointwise as a senior engineer after completing his MS in aerospace engineering at The University of Texas at Arlington in May 2011, where his graduate research involved aerodynamic design optimization and GPU-based computing. Pointwise was acquired by Cadence in April 2021 and as a senior account technical executive, Mr. Carrigan works with clients and software partners to demonstrate best practices in grid generation and develop interactive and automated meshing solutions using Pointwise.