In this work, a sensitivity calculation approach called the adjoint method is explored to estimate and control the discretization error in computational fluid dynamic (CFD). This paper describes how the adjoint is applied to incompressible RANS simulations to approach the continuous solution which is unknown. While the adjoint method is already widespread in aerodynamics to optimize designs, here it is used as an error estimator. The error is thus calculated from the scalar product of sensitivities to an objective function selected by the user (efficiency, power, losses, etc.) with respect to residuals of governing equations. The key point is that adjoint method pinpoints the sensitive areas of the simulation. By adapting the mesh accordingly, it is possible to improve the numerical accuracy while keeping the mesh size manageable.
- Fluids Engineering Division
Use of the Adjoint Method to Assess the Error in Simulations Available to Purchase
Carrier, A, Nicolle, J, & Deschênes, C. "Use of the Adjoint Method to Assess the Error in Simulations." Proceedings of the ASME 2016 Fluids Engineering Division Summer Meeting collocated with the ASME 2016 Heat Transfer Summer Conference and the ASME 2016 14th International Conference on Nanochannels, Microchannels, and Minichannels. Volume 1A, Symposia: Turbomachinery Flow Simulation and Optimization; Applications in CFD; Bio-Inspired and Bio-Medical Fluid Mechanics; CFD Verification and Validation; Development and Applications of Immersed Boundary Methods; DNS, LES and Hybrid RANS/LES Methods; Fluid Machinery; Fluid-Structure Interaction and Flow-Induced Noise in Industrial Applications; Flow Applications in Aerospace; Active Fluid Dynamics and Flow Control — Theory, Experiments and Implementation. Washington, DC, USA. July 10–14, 2016. V01AT03A021. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/FEDSM2016-7934
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