Particle-based modeling and meshless simulation of flows with smoothed particle hydrodynamics

Abstract

Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) is a promising simulation technique in the family of Lagrangian mesh-free methods, especially for flows that undergo large deformations. Particle methods do not require a mesh (grid) for their implementation, in contrast to conventional Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methods. Conventional CFD algorithms have reached a very good level of maturity and the limits of their applicability are now fairly well understood. In this paper we investigate the application of the SPH method in Poiseuille and transient Couette flow along with a free surface flow example. Algorithmically, the method is viewed within the framework of an atomic-scale method, Molecular Dynamics (MD). In this way, we make use of MD codes and computational tools for macroscale systems.