David Cobut

Parallel multi-block computations of incompressible flows for industrial applications

Reference LIN-CONF-2007-015View record in Web of Science Record created on 2007-07-20, modified on 2016-08-08

Parallel multi-block computations of three-dimensional incompressible flows

Parallel computation has shown to provide considerable potential for the numerical simulation of complex three-dimensional flows. A number of studies have shown that CFD codes can be parallelized for efficient use on present-day parallel computer systems. However, of particular importance for industrial applications is the total time to solution, comprised not only of the resolution of the flow equations but also the pre- and post-processing phases. Results are presented of a study of the use of high-performance parallel computing to facilitate such numerical simulations. This study is being undertaken using a 256-processor Cray T3D system, within the framework of the joint Cray Research-EPFL Parallel Application Technology Program.

Distributed run-time visualization and solution steering of parallel flow simulations

A run-time visualization and solution-steering tool, TPview, has been developed to overcome difficulties commonly encountered with large-scale numerical simulations on high-performance parallel computer systems. TPview provides the interface between the parallel computer system and the visualization software running on a remote workstation. During the computation cycle, data distributed across multiple processors are periodically sent via sockets to the workstation for rendering. In addition, internal parameters of the simulation code can be modified using a user-defined graphical interface, enabling remote guiding of the solution procedure. It is shown that such a run-time visualization and solution-steering tool can be implemented with minimal effort from the programmer and end user. Examples are presented of the use of TPview in conjunction with a parallel multiblock flow solver and a commercial visualization package. These examples demonstrate its ability to provide greater insights for the analysis o...