Tornados, avalanches, floods, and the air currents from an aircraft all send out physical shockwaves. These can be simulated using supercomputers, which improves predictions. However, simulating highly turbulent flows has not been possible previously. A group of researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH) has now found an approach that solves this problem.
According to a press release, ETH professor Siddhartha Mishra and his team used statistical solutions for this. This also takes chance into account. Specifically, the researchers created many, tiny, random flows and calculated the average. Mishra explains: “When representing turbulent flows, it’s the details that destroy you. That’s why with averages you start to see more structure.” The researchers also considered that the properties of flows can be dependent on each other in different points in space.
The researchers initially used their theoretical approach to perform 2D simulations. After this, successful 3D simulations followed using the Piz Daint supercomputer at the Swiss National Supercomputing Centre (CSCS) in Lugano.
Mishra’s team has already developed improved algorithms for the simulation and prediction of tsunamis and avalanches. The new approach will now also help to overcome the difficulties in simulating highly turbulent flows. ssp
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