Fast free-surface detection and level-set function definition in SPH solvers

• Published in: Journal of computational physics 2010-05, Vol.229 (10), p.3652-3663
• Main Authors: Marrone, S., Colagrossi, A., Le Touzé, D., Graziani, G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Algorithms; Computational techniques; Computer simulation; Engineering Sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Flow visualization; Fluid-structure impact flows; Fluids mechanics; Free-surface flows; Interpolation; Level-set function; Mathematical analysis; Mathematical methods in physics; Mathematical models; Mechanics; Physics; Smoothed particle hydrodynamics; Solvers; Three dimensional; Vectors (mathematics)
• ISSN: 0021-9991; 1090-2716
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcp.2010.01.019

The present paper proposes a novel algorithm to detect the free-surface in particle simulations, both in two and three dimensions. Since the proposed algorithms are based on SPH interpolations their implementation does not require complex geometrical procedures. Thus the free-surface detection can be easily embedded in SPH solvers, without a significant increase of the CPU time. Throughout this procedure accurate normal vectors to the free-surface are made available. Then it is possible to define a level-set function algorithm which is presented in detail. The latter allows in-depth analyses of three-dimensional free-surface simulations by using standard visualization tools, including internal features of the flow. The algorithms proposed for detecting free-surface particles and defining the level-set function are validated on simple and complex two- and three-dimensional flow simulations. The usefulness of the proposed procedures to post-process and analyze complex flows are illustrated on realistic examples.