Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026

09:17
Surrogate Model Development for Digital Experiments in Welding
Published on: March 28, 2025
Lattice Boltzmann model for exterior flows with an annealing preconditioning method
1Max-Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, 28359 Bremen, Germany.
Summary
We developed an efficient lattice Boltzmann method for low Reynolds number flows. This technique significantly improves convergence rates and allows for larger system sizes in simulations.
Area of Science:
- Computational Fluid Dynamics
- Numerical Methods
- Fluid Mechanics
Background:
- Lattice Boltzmann methods are effective for fluid flow simulations.
- Solving exterior flows at low Reynolds numbers presents computational challenges.
- Existing preconditioning techniques have limitations in efficiency and scalability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a novel, highly efficient, and stable lattice Boltzmann method.
- To enhance the treatment of low Reynolds number exterior flows.
- To improve convergence rates and system size capacity in simulations.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of a space- and time-dependent preconditioning parameter (gamma).
- Utilizing a nested mesh-refined domain for adaptive grid resolution.
- Stepwise annealing of the preconditioning parameter K from a large to a small value.
Main Results:
- Achieved convergence rates more than one order of magnitude faster.
- Enabled the treatment of system sizes several orders of magnitude larger.
- Demonstrated enhanced stability and efficiency compared to uniform grid methods.
Conclusions:
- The proposed method offers significant improvements for low Reynolds number exterior flow simulations.
- Adaptive preconditioning in nested grids is a viable strategy for computational efficiency.
- This approach broadens the applicability of lattice Boltzmann methods to larger and more complex problems.
Related Concept Videos
Maxwell-Boltzmann Distribution: Problem Solving
Individual molecules in a gas move in random directions, but a gas containing numerous molecules has a predictable distribution of molecular speeds, which is known as the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution, f(v).
This distribution function f(v) is defined by saying that the expected number N (v1,v2) of particles with speeds between v1 and v2 is given by
This distribution function f(v) is defined by saying that the expected number N (v1,v2) of particles with speeds between v1 and v2 is given by
Laminar Flow: Problem Solving
Laminar flow occurs when a fluid moves smoothly in parallel layers with minimal mixing and turbulence. In fluid mechanics, ensuring laminar flow within a pipe is essential for precise control of flow characteristics, especially in engineering applications. The key factor in determining whether flow remains laminar is the Reynolds number, a dimensionless quantity that depends on the fluid's velocity, density, viscosity, and the pipe's diameter. A Reynolds number of 2100 or lower indicates...
Couette Flow
Couette flow represents the flow of fluid between two parallel plates, with one plate fixed and the other moving with a constant velocity. This configuration allows for a simplified analysis using the Navier-Stokes equations, which govern fluid motion under conditions of viscosity and incompressibility. For Couette flow, the assumptions include a steady, laminar, incompressible flow with a zero-pressure gradient in the flow direction. This flow type is beneficial for understanding shear-driven...
Laminar and Turbulent Flow
Fluid dynamics is the study of fluids in motion. Velocity vectors are often used to illustrate fluid motion in applications like meteorology. For example, wind—the fluid motion of air in the atmosphere—can be represented by vectors indicating the speed and direction of the wind at any given point on a map. Another method for representing fluid motion is a streamline. A streamline represents the path of a small volume of fluid as it flows. When the flow pattern changes with time, the streamlines...
Bernoulli's Equation for Flow Along a Streamline
Bernoulli's equation relates the energy conservation in a fluid moving along a streamline. The equation applies to incompressible and inviscid fluids under steady flow. For such a flow, Newton's second law is applied to a small fluid element, which experiences forces due to pressure differences, gravity, and velocity variations. The force balance leads to the following form of Bernoulli's equation:
Navier–Stokes Equations
For incompressible Newtonian fluids, where density remains constant, stresses show a linear relationship with the deformation rate, defined by normal and shear stresses. Normal stresses depend on the pressure exerted on the fluid and the rate of deformation in specific directions, which determines how fluid flows under varying pressures. Shear stresses, on the other hand, act tangentially across fluid layers. They explain how adjacent fluid layers slide relative to one another, connecting...