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The Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) is a high-performance general-purpose detector at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. More than twenty institutes from Russia and Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR) are involved in Russia and Dubna Member States (RDMS) CMS Collaboration. A proper computing grid-infrastructure has been constructed at the RDMS institutes for the participation in the running phase of the CMS experiment. Current status of RDMS CMS computing and plans of its development to the next LHC start in 2015 are presented.

The present paper discusses an approach to the efficient satellite image processing which involves two steps. The first step assumes the distribution of the steadily increasing volume of satellite collected data through a Grid infrastructure. The second step assumes the acceleration of the solution of the individual tasks related to image processing by implementing execution codes which make heavy use of spatial and temporal parallelism. An instance of such execution code is the image processing by means of the iterative Perona–Malik filter within FPGA application specific hardware architecture.

The generalization of Margolus’s block cellular automaton on a hexagonal grid is formulated. Statistical analysis of the results of probabilistic cellular automation for vast variety of this scheme solving the test task of diffusion is done. It is shown that the choice of the hexagon blocks is 25% more efficient than Y-blocks. It is shown that the algorithms have polynomial complexity, and the polynom degree lies within 0.6÷0.8 for parallel computer, and in the range 1.5÷1.7 for serial computer. The effects of embedded into automaton’s field defective cells on the rate of convergence are studied also.

The work submits new release of the FlowVision software designed for automation of engineering calculations in computational fluid dynamics: FlowVision 3.09.05. The FlowVision software is used for solving different industrial problems. Its popularity is based on the capability to solve complex non-tradition problems involving different physical processes. The paradigm of complete automation of labor-intensive and time-taking processes like grid generation makes FlowVision attractive for many engineers. FlowVision is completely developer-independent software. It includes an advanced graphical interface, the system for specifying a computational project as well as the system for flow visualization on planes, on curvilinear surfaces and in volume by means of different methods: plots, color contours, iso-lines, iso-surfaces, vector fields. Besides that, FlowVision provides tools for calculation of integral characteristics on surfaces and in volumetric regions.

The software is based on the finite-volume approach to approximation of the partial differential equations describing fluid motion and accompanying physical processes. It provides explicit and implicit methods for time integration of these equations. The software includes automated generator of unstructured grid with capability of its local dynamic adaptation. The solver involves two-level parallelism which allows calculations on computers with distributed and shared memory (coexisting in the same hardware). FlowVision incorporates a wide spectrum of physical models: different turbulence models, models for mass transfer accounting for chemical reactions and radioactive decay, several combustion models, a dispersed phase model, an electro-hydrodynamic model, an original VOF model for tracking moving interfaces. It should be noted that turbulence can be simulated within URANS, LES, and ILES approaches. FlowVision simulates fluid motion with velocities corresponding to all possible flow regimes: from incompressible to hypersonic. This is achieved by using an original all-speed velocity-pressure split algorithm for integration of the Navier-Stokes equations.

FlowVision enables solving multi-physic problems with use of different modeling tools. For instance, one can simulate multi-phase flows with use of the VOF method, flows past bodies moving across a stationary grid (within Euler approach), flows in rotary machines with use of the technology of sliding grid. Besides that, the software solves fluid-structure interaction problems using the technology of two-way coupling of FlowVision with finite-element codes. Two examples of solving challenging problems in the FlowVision software are demonstrated in the given article. The first one is splashdown of a spacecraft after deceleration by means of jet engines. This problem is characterized by presence of moving bodies and contact surface between the air and the water in the computational domain. The supersonic jets interact with the air-water interphase. The second problem is simulation of the work of a human heart with artificial and natural valves designed on the basis of tomographic investigations with use of a finite-element model of the heart. This problem is characterized by two-way coupling between the “liquid” computational domain and the finite-element model of the hart muscles.

In the article a theory of the implicit iterative line-by-line recurrence method for solving the systems of finite-difference equations which arise as a result of approximation of the two-dimensional elliptic differential equations on a regular grid is stated. On the one hand, the high effectiveness of the method has confirmed in practice. Some complex test problems, as well as several problems of fluid flow and heat transfer of a viscous incompressible liquid, have solved with its use. On the other hand, the theoretical provisions that explain the high convergence rate of the method and its stability are not yet presented in the literature. This fact is the reason for the present investigation. In the paper, the procedure of equivalent and approximate transformations of the initial system of linear algebraic equations (SLAE) is described in detail. The transformations are presented in a matrix-vector form, as well as in the form of the computational formulas of the method. The key points of the transformations are illustrated by schemes of changing of the difference stencils that correspond to the transformed equations. The canonical form of the method is the goal of the transformation procedure. The correctness of the method follows from the canonical form in the case of the solution convergence. The estimation of norms of the matrix operators is carried out on the basis of analysis of structures and element sets of the corresponding matrices. As a result, the convergence of the method is proved for arbitrary initial vectors of the solution of the problem.

The norm of the transition matrix operator is estimated in the special case of weak restrictions on a desired solution. It is shown, that the value of this norm decreases proportionally to the second power (or third degree, it depends on the version of the method) of the grid step of the problem solution area in the case of transition matrix order increases. The necessary condition of the method stability is obtained by means of simple estimates of the vector of an approximate solution. Also, the estimate in order of magnitude of the optimum iterative compensation parameter is given. Theoretical conclusions are illustrated by using the solutions of the test problems. It is shown, that the number of the iterations required to achieve a given accuracy of the solution decreases if a grid size of the solution area increases. It is also demonstrated that if the weak restrictions on solution are violated in the choice of the initial approximation of the solution, then the rate of convergence of the method decreases essentially in full accordance with the deduced theoretical results.

Simulation of turbulent compressible gas flows using turbulence models $k-\varepsilon$ standard (KES), $k-\varepsilon$ FlowVision (KEFV) and SST $k-\omega$ is discussed in the given article. A new version of turbulence model KEFV is presented. The results of its testing are shown. Numerical investigation of the discharge of an over-expanded jet from a conic nozzle into unlimited space is performed. The results are compared against experimental data. The dependence of the results on computational mesh is demonstrated. The dependence of the results on turbulence specified at the nozzle inlet is demonstrated. The conclusion is drawn about necessity to allow for compressibility in two-parametric turbulence models. The simple method proposed by Wilcox in 1994 suits well for this purpose. As a result, the range of applicability of the three aforementioned two-parametric turbulence models is essentially extended. Particular values of the constants responsible for the account of compressibility in the Wilcox approach are proposed. It is recommended to specify these values in simulations of compressible flows with use of models KES, KEFV, and SST.

In addition, the question how to obtain correct characteristics of supersonic turbulent flows using two-parametric turbulence models is considered. The calculations on different grids have shown that specifying a laminar flow at the inlet to the nozzle and wall functions at its surfaces, one obtains the laminar core of the flow up to the fifth Mach disk. In order to obtain correct flow characteristics, it is necessary either to specify two parameters characterizing turbulence of the inflowing gas, or to set a “starting” turbulence in a limited volume enveloping the region of presumable laminar-turbulent transition next to the exit from the nozzle. The latter possibility is implemented in model KEFV.

ARC Compute Element is becoming more popular in WLCG and EGI infrastructures, being used not only in the Grid context, but also as an interface to HPC and Cloud resources. It strongly relies on community contributions, which helps keeping up with the changes in the distributed computing landscape. Future ARC plans are closely linked to the needs of the LHC computing, whichever shape it may take. There are also numerous examples of ARC usage for smaller research communities through national computing infrastructure projects in different countries. As such, ARC is a viable solution for building uniform distributed computing infrastructures using a variety of resources.

Verification results of supersonic turbulent jets computational characteristics are presented. Numerical simulation of axisymmetric nozzle operating is realized using FlowVision CFD. Open test cases for CFD are used. The test cases include Seiner tests with exit Mach number of 2.0 both fully-expanded and under-expanded $(P/P_0 = 1.47)$. Fully-expanded nozzle investigated with wide range of flow temperature (300…3000 K). The considered studies include simulation downstream from the nozzle exit diameter. Next numerical investigation is presented at an exit Mach number of 2.02 and a free-stream Mach number of 2.2. Geometric model of convergent- divergent nozzle rebuilt from original Putnam experiment. This study is set with nozzle pressure ratio of 8.12 and total temperature of 317 K.

The paper provides a comparison of obtained FlowVision results with experimental data and another current CFD studies. A comparison of the calculated characteristics and experimental data indicates a good agreement. The best coincidence with Seiner's experimental velocity distribution (about 7 % at far field for the first case) obtained using two-equation $k–\varepsilon$ standard turbulence model with Wilcox compressibility correction. Predicted Mach number distribution at $Y/D = 1$ for Putnam nozzle presents accuracy of 3 %.

General guidelines for simulation of supersonic turbulent jets in the FlowVision software are formulated in the given paper. Grid convergence determined the optimal cell rate. In order to calculate the design regime, it is recommended to build a grid, containing not less than 40 cells from the axis of symmetry to the nozzle wall. In order to calculate an off-design regime, it is necessary to resolve the shock waves. For this purpose, not less than 80 cells is required in the radial direction. Investigation of the influence of turbulence model on the flow characteristics has shown that the version of the SST $k–\omega$ turbulence model implemented in the FlowVision software essentially underpredicts the axial velocity. The standard $k–\varepsilon$ model without compressibility correction also underpredicts the axial velocity. These calculations agree well with calculations in other CFD codes using the standard $k–\varepsilon$ model. The in-home $k–\varepsilon$ turbulence model KEFV with compressibility correction a little bit overpredicts the axial velocity. Since, the best results are obtained using the standard $k–\varepsilon$ model combined with the Wilcox compressibility correction, this model is recommended for the problems discussed.

The developed methodology can be regarded as a basis for numerical investigations of more complex nozzle flows.

The paper has methodical character; it is devoted to three classic partial differential equations (Laplace, Diffusion and Wave) solution using simple numerical methods in terms of Cellular Automata. Special attention was payed to the matter conservation law and the offensive effect of excessive hexagonal symmetry.

It has been shown that in contrary to finite-difference approach, in spite of terminological equivalence of CA local transition function to the pattern of computing double layer explicit method, CA approach contains the replacement of matrix technique by iterative ones (for instance, sweep method for three diagonal matrixes). This suggests that discretization of boundary conditions for CA-cells needs more rigid conditions.

The correct local transition function (LTF) of the boundary cells, which is valid at least for the boundaries of the rectangular and circular shapes have been firstly proposed and empirically given for the hexagonal grid and the conservative boundary conditions. The idea of LTF separation into «internal», «boundary» and «postfix» have been proposed. By the example of this problem the value of the Courant-Levy constant was re-evaluated as the CA convergence speed ratio to the solution, which is given at a fixed time, and to the rate of the solution change over time.