All issues

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.

This work is dedicated to application of bicompact schemes to numerical solution of evolutionary hyperbolic equations. The main advantage of this class of schemes lies in combination of two beneficial properties: the first one is spatial approximation of high even order on a stencil that always occupies only one mesh cell; the second one is spectral resolution which is better in comparison to classic compact finite-difference schemes of the same order of spatial approximation. One feature of bicompact schemes is considered: their spatial approximation is rigidly tied to Cartesian meshes (with parallelepiped-shaped cells in three-dimensional case). This feature makes rather challenging any application of bicompact schemes to problems with complex computational domains as treated in the framework of unstructured meshes. This problem is proposed to be solved using well-known methods for treating complex-shaped boundaries and their corresponding boundary conditions on Cartesian meshes. The generalization of bicompact schemes on problems in geometrically complex domains is made in case of gas dynamics problems and Euler equations. The free boundary method is chosen as a particular tool to introduce the influence of arbitrary-shaped solid boundaries on gas flows on Cartesian meshes. A brief description of this method is given, its governing equations are written down. Bicompact schemes of fourth order of approximation in space with locally one-dimensional splitting are constructed for equations of the free boundary method. Its compensation flux is discretized with second order of accuracy. Time stepping in the obtained schemes is done with the implicit Euler method and the third order accurate $L$-stable stiffly accurate three-stage singly diagonally implicit Runge–Kutta method. The designed bicompact schemes are tested on three two-dimensional problems: stationary supersonic flows with Mach number three past one circular cylinder and past three circular cylinders; the non-stationary interaction of planar shock wave with a circular cylinder in a channel with planar parallel walls. The obtained results are in a good agreement with other works: influence of solid bodies on gas flows is physically correct, pressure in control points on solid surfaces is calculated with the accuracy appropriate to the chosen mesh resolution and level of numerical dissipation.

The gradual incorporation of automated vehicles into the global transport networks leads to the need to develop tools to assess the impact of this process on various aspects of traffic. This implies a more organized movement of automated vehicles which can form uniformly moving platoons. The influence of the formation and movement of these platoons on the dynamics of traffic flow is of great interest. The currently most developed traffic flow models are based on the cellular automaton approach. They are mainly developed in the direction of increasing accuracy. This inevitably leads to the complication of models, which in their modern form have significantly moved away from the original philosophy of cellular automata, which implies simplicity and schematicity of models at the level of evolution rules, leading, however, to a complex organized behavior of the system. In the present paper, a simulation model of connected automated vehicles platoon dynamics in a heterogeneous transport system is proposed, consisting of two types of agents (vehicles): human-driven and automated. The description of the temporal evolution of the system is based on modified rules 184 and 240 for elementary cellular automata. Human-driven vehicles move according to rule 184 with the addition of accidental braking, the probability of which depends on the distance to the vehicle in front. For automated vehicles, a combination of rules is used depending on the type of nearest neighbors, regardless of the distance to them, which brings non-local interaction to the model. At the same time, it is considered that a group of sequentially moving connected automated vehicles can form an organized platoon. The influence of the ratio of types of vehicles in the system on the characteristics of the traffic flow during free movement on a circular one-lane and two-lane roads, as well as in the presence of a traffic light, is studied. The simulation results show that the effect of platoon formation is significant for a freeway traffic flow; the presence of a traffic light reduces the positive effect by about half. The movement of platoons of connected automated vehicles on two-lane roads with the possibility of lane changing was also studied. It is shown that considering the types of neighboring vehicles (automated or human-driven) when changing lanes for automated vehicles has a positive effect on the characteristics of the traffic flow.

The mathematical model, finite-difference schemes and algorithms for computation of transient thermoand hydrodynamic processes involved in commissioning the unified system including the oil producing well, electrical submersible pump and fractured-porous reservoir with bottom water are developed. These models are implemented in the computer package to simulate transient processes with simultaneous visualization of their results along with computations. An important feature of the package Oil-RWP is its interaction with the special external program GCS which simulates the work of the surface electric control station and data exchange between these two programs. The package Oil-RWP sends telemetry data and current parameters of the operating submersible unit to the program module GCS (direct coupling). The station controller analyzes incoming data and generates the required control parameters for the submersible pump. These parameters are sent to Oil-RWP (feedback). Such an approach allows us to consider the developed software as the “Intellectual Well System”.

Some principal results of the simulations can be briefly presented as follows. The transient time between inaction and quasi-steady operation of the producing well depends on the well stream watering, filtration and capacitive parameters of oil reservoir, physical-chemical properties of phases and technical characteristics of the submersible unit. For the large time solution of the nonstationary equations governing the nonsteady processes is practically identical to the inverse quasi-stationary problem solution with the same initial data. The developed software package is an effective tool for analysis, forecast and optimization of the exploiting parameters of the unified oil-producing complex during its commissioning into the operating regime.

The paper is devoted to the study of wave and relaxation effects during the pulsed outflow of a gas mixture with a high content of solid particles from a cylindrical channel during its initial partial filling. The problem is formulated in a two-speed two-temperature formulation and was solved numerically by the hybrid large-particle method of the second order of approximation. The numerical algorithm is implemented in the form of parallel computing using basic Free Pascal language tools. The applicability and accuracy of the method for wave flows of concentrated gas-particles mixtures is confirmed by comparison with test asymptotically accurate solutions. The calculation error on a grid of low detail in the characteristic flow zones of a two-phase medium was 10^-6 . . . 10^-5.

Based on the wave diagram, the analysis of the physical pattern of the outflow of a gas suspension partially filling a cylindrical channel is performed. It is established that, depending on the degree of initial filling of the channel, various outflow modes are formed. The first mode is implemented with a small degree of loading of the high-pressure chamber, at which the left boundary of the gas-particles mixture crosses the outlet section before the arrival of the rarefaction wave reflected from the bottom of the channel. At the same time, the maximum value of the mass flow rate of the mixture is achieved. Other modes are formed in cases of a larger initial filling of the channel, when the rarefaction waves reflected from the bottom of the channel interact with the gas suspension layer and reduce the intensity of its outflow.

The influence of relaxation properties with changing particle size on the dynamics of a limited layer of a gas-dispersed medium is studied. Comparison of the outflow of a limited gas suspension layer with different particle sizes shows that for small particles (the Stokes number is less than 0.001), an anomalous phenomenon of the simultaneous existence of shock wave structures in the supersonic and subsonic flow of gas and suspension is observed. With an increase in the size of dispersed inclusions, the compaction jumps in the region of the two-phase mixture are smoothed out, and for particles (the Stokes number is greater than 0.1), they practically disappear. At the same time, the shock-wave configuration of the supersonic gas flow at the outlet of the channel is preserved, and the positions and boundaries of the energy-carrying volumes of the gas suspension are close when the particle sizes change.

The study of the structural characteristics of composites and nanostructures is of fundamental importance in materials science. Theoretical and numerical modeling and simulation of the mechanical properties of nanostructures is the main tool that allows for complex studies that are difficult to conduct only experimentally. One example of nanostructures considered in this work are carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which have good thermal and electrical properties, as well as low density and high Young’s modulus, making them the most suitable reinforcement element for composites, for potential applications in aerospace, automotive, metallurgical and biomedical industries. In this review, we reviewed the modeling methods, mechanical properties, and applications of CNT-reinforced metal matrix composites. Some modeling methods applicable in the study of composites with polymer and metal matrices are also considered. Methods such as the gradient descent method, the Monte Carlo method, methods of molecular statics and molecular dynamics are considered. Molecular dynamics simulations have been shown to be excellent for creating various composite material systems and studying the properties of metal matrix composites reinforced with carbon nanomaterials under various conditions. This paper briefly presents the most commonly used potentials that describe the interactions of composite modeling systems. The correct choice of interaction potentials between parts of composites directly affects the description of the phenomenon being studied. The dependence of the mechanical properties of composites on the volume fraction of the diameter, orientation, and number of CNTs is detailed and discussed. It has been shown that the volume fraction of carbon nanotubes has a significant effect on the tensile strength and Young’s modulus. The CNT diameter has a greater impact on the tensile strength than on the elastic modulus. An example of works is also given in which the effect of CNT length on the mechanical properties of composites is studied. In conclusion, we offer perspectives on the direction of development of molecular dynamics modeling in relation to metal matrix composites reinforced with carbon nanomaterials.

The purpose of research was to develop a mathematical model for pulsating blood flow in the part of aorta with their branches. Since the deformation of this most solid part of the aorta is small during the passage of the pulse wave, the blood vessels were considered as non-deformable curved cylinders. The article describes the internal structure of blood and some internal structural effects. This analysis shows that the blood, which is essentially a suspension, can only be regarded as a non-Newtonian fluid. In addition, the blood can be considered as a liquid only in the blood vessels, diameter of which is much higher than the characteristic size of blood cells and their aggregate formations. As a non-Newtonian fluid the viscous liquid with the power law of the relationship of stress with shift velocity was chosen. This law can describe the behaviour not only of liquids but also dispersions. When setting the boundary conditions at the entrance into aorta, reflecting the pulsating nature of the flow of blood, it was decided not to restrict the assignment of the total blood flow, which makes no assumptions about the spatial velocity distribution in a cross section. In this regard, it was proposed to model the surface envelope of this spatial distribution by a part of a paraboloid of rotation with a fixed base radius and height, which varies in time from zero to maximum speed value. The special attention was paid to the interaction of blood with the walls of the vessels. Having regard to the nature of this interaction, the so-called semi-slip condition was formulated as the boundary condition. At the outer ends of the aorta and its branches the amounts of pressure were given. To perform calculations the tetrahedral computer network for geometric model of the aorta with branches has been built. The total number of meshes is 9810. The calculations were performed with use of the software package ABACUS, which has also powerful tools for creating geometry of the model and visualization of calculations. The result is a distribution of velocities and pressure at each time step. In areas of branching vessels was discovered temporary presence of eddies and reverse currents. They were born via 0.47 s from the beginning of the pulse cycle and disappeared after 0.14 s.

The paper analyzes the methods of studying the process of interaction of soil environments with the tillage tools of soil processing machines. The mathematical methods of numerical modeling are considered in detail, which make it possible to overcome the disadvantages of analytical and empirical approaches. A classification and overview of the possibilities the continuous (FEM — finite element method, CFD — computational fluid dynamics) and discrete (DEM — discrete element method, SPH — hydrodynamics of smoothed particles) numerical methods is presented. Based on the discrete element method, a mathematical model has been developed that represents the soil in the form of a set of interacting small spherical elements. The working surfaces of the tillage tool are presented in the framework of the finite element approximation in the form of a combination of many elementary triangles. The model calculates the movement of soil elements under the action of contact forces of soil elements with each other and with the working surfaces of the tillage tool (elastic forces, dry and viscous friction forces). This makes it possible to assess the influence of the geometric parameters of the tillage tools, technological parameters of the process and soil parameters on the geometric indicators of soil displacement, indicators of the self-installation of tools, power loads, quality indicators of loosening and spatial distribution of indicators. A total of 22 indicators were investigated (or the distribution of the indicator in space). This makes it possible to reproduce changes in the state of the system of elements of the soil (soil cultivation process) and determine the total mechanical effect of the elements on the moving tillage tools of the implement. A demonstration of the capabilities of the mathematical model is given by the example of a study of soil cultivation with a disk cultivator battery. In the computer experiment, a virtual soil channel of 5×1.4 m in size and a 3D model of a disk cultivator battery were used. The radius of the soil particles was taken to be 18 mm, the speed of the tillage tool was 1 m/s, the total simulation time was 5 s. The processing depth was 10 cm at angles of attack of 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30°. The verification of the reliability of the simulation results was carried out on a laboratory stand for volumetric dynamometry by examining a full-scale sample, made in full accordance with the investigated 3D-model. The control was carried out according to three components of the traction resistance vector: $F_x$, $F_y$ and $F_z$. Comparison of the data obtained experimentally with the simulation data showed that the discrepancy is not more than 22.2%, while in all cases the maximum discrepancy was observed at angles of attack of the disk battery of 30°. Good consistency of data on three key power parameters confirms the reliability of the whole complex of studied indicators.

It was carried out a theoretical analysis of the energy migration rate in the process of non-photochemical quenching of fluorescence pigment-protein complex that performed by means of orange carotenoid-protein in the phycobilisomes of cyanobacteria. It is shown that the observed rate of energy transfer can not be interpreted in the framework of inductive-resonant mechanism of energy migration (Förster’s theory). On the contrary, according to the calculations the implementation of the exciton mechanism is fully consistent with the experimentally observed high quenching rate. An essential feature of the implementation of the exciton mechanism is to comply with a number of structural and functional conditions that require fine-tuning of the molecular system in the interaction of donor and acceptor molecules both each other and with the local molecular environment.

In this work, the problem of constructing an electronic analogue of heterogeneous DNA is solved with the help of the methods of mathematical modeling. Electronic analogs of that type, along with other physical models of living systems, are widely used as a tool for studying the dynamic and functional properties of these systems. The solution to the problem is based on an algorithm previously developed for homogeneous (synthetic) DNA and modified in such a way that it can be used for the case of inhomogeneous (native) DNA. The algorithm includes the following steps: selection of a model that simulates the internal mobility of DNA; construction of a transformation that allows you to move from the DNA model to its electronic analogue; search for conditions that provide an analogy of DNA equations and electronic analogue equations; calculation of the parameters of the equivalent electrical circuit. To describe inhomogeneous DNA, the model was chosen that is a system of discrete nonlinear differential equations simulating the angular deviations of nitrogenous bases, and Hamiltonian corresponding to these equations. The values of the coefficients in the model equations are completely determined by the dynamic parameters of the DNA molecule, including the moments of inertia of nitrous bases, the rigidity of the sugar-phosphate chain, and the constants characterizing the interactions between complementary bases in pairs. The inhomogeneous Josephson line was used as a basis for constructing an electronic model, the equivalent circuit of which contains four types of cells: A-, T-, G-, and C-cells. Each cell, in turn, consists of three elements: capacitance, inductance, and Josephson junction. It is important that the A-, T-, G- and C-cells of the Josephson line are arranged in a specific order, which is similar to the order of the nitrogenous bases (A, T, G and C) in the DNA sequence. The transition from DNA to an electronic analog was carried out with the help of the A-transformation which made it possible to calculate the values of the capacitance, inductance, and Josephson junction in the A-cells. The parameter values for the T-, G-, and C-cells of the equivalent electrical circuit were obtained from the conditions imposed on the coefficients of the model equations and providing an analogy between DNA and the electronic model.