Reducing the computational time of the smoothed particle hydrodynamics method with a coupled 2-D/3-D approach

Abstract

Smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) is a particle-based Lagrangian method that can be adapted for simulating free surface flows. The method is particularly suitable for phenomena in which the flow changes rapidly. A weakness of the SPH method is the very long computational time. However, this can be significantly reduced using new techniques. In this research, the two-dimensional (2-D) and three-dimensional (3- D) models Tis Isat, developed at the University of Ljubljana, were used with an appropriate coupling procedure. The new model was validated and calibrated against the results of laboratory experiments. The simulation results of the 2-D/3-D coupled model were compared to the measurements, to the results of the fully 3-D Tis Isat model and to the results of a one-dimensional (1-D) finite difference (FD) model. The performed SPH simulations showed good agreement with measurements and the 1-D model results in the symmetry axis of the channel. The two greatest advantages of the coupled model are a more realistic description of the water-level below the expansion and the significantly shorter computational time as a result of the adopted coupling procedure. © 2008 Fakulteta za strojništvo.