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The Optimal Transportation Meshfree Method for General Fluid Flows and Strongly Coupled Fluid-Structure Interaction Problems

Citation

Habbal, Feras (2009) The Optimal Transportation Meshfree Method for General Fluid Flows and Strongly Coupled Fluid-Structure Interaction Problems. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/MHQX-3Z52. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-06012009-104937

Abstract

This thesis develops a novel meshfree numerical method for simulating general fluid flows. Drawing from concepts in optimal mass transport theory and in combination with the notion of material point sampling and meshfree interpolation, the optimal transport meshfree (OTM) method provides a rigorous mathematical framework for numerically simulating three-dimensional general fluid flows with general, and possibly moving boundaries (as in fluid-structure interaction simulations). Specifically, the proposed OTM method generalizes the Benamou-Brenier differential formulation of optimal mass transportation problems which leads to a multi-field variational characterization of general fluid flows including viscosity, equations of state and general geometries and boundary conditions. With the use of material point sampling in conjunction with local max-entropy shape functions, the OTM method leads to a meshfree formulation bearing a number of salient features. Compared with other meshfree methods that face significant challenges to enforce essential boundary conditions as well as couple to other methods, such as the finite element method, the OTM method provides a new paradigm in meshfree methods. The OTM method is numerically validated by simulating the classical Riemann benchmark example for Euler flow. Furthermore, in order to highlight the ability of the OTM to simulate Navier-Stokes flows within general, moving three-dimensional domains, and naturally couple with finite elements, an illustrative strongly coupled FSI example is simulated. This illustrative FSI example, consisting of a gas-inflated sphere impacting the ground, is simulated as a toy model of the final phase of NASA's landing scheme devised for Mars missions, where a network of airbags are deployed to dissipate the energy of impact.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:computational fluid and solid mechanics; information theory; maximum entropy schemes; meshfree methods; optimal mass transportation theory
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Engineering and Applied Science
Major Option:Mechanical Engineering
Minor Option:Applied Physics
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Ortiz, Michael
Thesis Committee:
  • Ortiz, Michael (chair)
  • Daraio, Chiara
  • Ravichandran, Guruswami
  • Owhadi, Houman
Defense Date:5 May 2009
Record Number:CaltechETD:etd-06012009-104937
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-06012009-104937
DOI:10.7907/MHQX-3Z52
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:5220
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Imported from ETD-db
Deposited On:02 Jun 2009
Last Modified:26 Nov 2019 19:14

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