Development of parallel direct simulation Monte Carlo method using a cut-cell Cartesian grid on a single graphics processor

Abstract

This study developed a parallel two-dimensional direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method using a cut-cell Cartesian grid for treating geometrically complex objects using a single graphics processing unit (GPU). Transient adaptive sub-cell (TAS) and variable time-step (VTS) approaches were implemented to reduce computation time without a loss in accuracy. The proposed method was validated using two benchmarks: 2D hypersonic flow of nitrogen over a ramp and 2D hypersonic flow of argon around a cylinder using various free-stream Knudsen numbers. We also detailed the influence of TAS and VTS on computational accuracy and efficiency. Our results demonstrate the efficacy of using TAS in combination with VTS in reducing computation times by more than 10x. Compared to the throughput of a single core Intel CPU, the proposed approach using a single GPU enables a 13-35x increase in speed, which varies according to the size of the problem and type of GPU used in the simulation. Finally, the transition from regular reflection to Mach reflection for supersonic flow through a channel was simulated to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed approach in reproducing flow fields in challenging problems. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.