Fast three dimensional r-adaptive mesh redistribution

• Published in: Journal of computational physics Vol. 275; pp. 174 - 196
• Main Authors: Browne, P.A., Budd, C.J., Piccolo, C., Cullen, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 15.10.2014
• Subjects: Adaptive mesh redistribution; Algorithms; Computation; Computational efficiency; Convergence; Dynamic tests; Finite element method; Monge–Ampere; Optimal transport; r-Adaptivity; Three dimensional; Weather forecasting; Adaptive mesh redistribution; Monge–Ampere; Optimal transport; r-Adaptivity
• ISSN: 0021-9991; 1090-2716
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcp.2014.06.009

This paper describes a fast and reliable method for redistributing a computational mesh in three dimensions which can generate a complex three dimensional mesh without any problems due to mesh tangling. The method relies on a three dimensional implementation of the parabolic Monge–Ampère (PMA) technique, for finding an optimally transported mesh. The method for implementing PMA is described in detail and applied to both static and dynamic mesh redistribution problems, studying both the convergence and the computational cost of the algorithm. The algorithm is applied to a series of problems of increasing complexity. In particular very regular meshes are generated to resolve real meteorological features (derived from a weather forecasting model covering the UK area) in grids with over 2×107 degrees of freedom. The PMA method computes these grids in times commensurate with those required for operational weather forecasting.