Moving‐least‐squares‐particle hydrodynamics—I. Consistency and stability

The Smooth‐Particle‐Hydrodynamics (SPH) method is derived in a novel manner by means of a Galerkin approximation applied to the Lagrangian equations of continuum mechanics as in the finite‐element method. This derivation is modified to replace the SPH interpolant with the Moving‐Least‐Squares (MLS) interpolant of Lancaster and Saulkaskas, and define a new particle volume which ensures thermodynamic compatibility. A variable‐rank modification of the MLS interpolants which retains their desirable summation properties is introduced to remove the singularities that occur when divergent flow reduces the number of neighbours of a particle to less than the minimum required. A surprise benefit of the Galerkin SPH derivation is a theoretical justification of a common ad hoc technique for variable‐h SPH. The new MLSPH method is conservative if an anti‐symmetric quadrature rule for the stiffness matrix elements can be supplied. In this paper, a simple one‐point collocation rule is used to retain similarity with SPH, leading to a non‐conservative method. Several examples document how MLSPH renders dramatic improvements due to the linear consistency of its gradients on three canonical difficulties of the SPH method: spurious boundary effects, erroneous rates of strain and rotation and tension instability. Two of these examples are non‐linear Lagrangian patch tests with analytic solutions with which MLSPH agrees almost exactly. The examples also show that MLSPH is not absolutely stable if the problems are run to very long times. A linear stability analysis explains both why it is more stable than SPH and not yet absolutely stable and an argument is made that for realistic dynamic problems MLSPH is stable enough. The notion of coherent particles, for which the numerical stability is identical to the physical stability, is introduced. The new method is easily retrofitted into a generic SPH code and some observations on performance are made. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Correction and stabilization of smooth particle hydrodynamics methods with applications in metal forming simulations

Smooth particle hydrodynamics (SPH) is a robust and conceptually simple method which suffers from unsatisfactory performance due to lack of consistency. The kernel function can be corrected to enforce the consistency conditions and improve the accuracy. For simplicity in this paper the SPH method with the corrected kernel is referred to as corrected smooth particle hydrodynamics (CSPH). The numerical solutions of CSPH can be further improved by introducing an integration correction which also enables the method to pass patch tests. It is also shown that the nodal integration of this corrected SPH method suffers from spurious singular modes. This spatial instability results from under integration of the weak form, and it is treated by a least‐squares stabilization procedure which is discussed in detail in Section 4. The effects of the stabilization and improvement in the accuracy are illustrated via examples. Further, the application of CSPH method to metal‐forming simulations is discussed by formulating the governing equation associated with the process. Finally, the numerical examples showing the effectiveness of the method in simulating metal‐forming problems are presented. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Numerical modelling of fracture of particulate composites using SPH method

Simplicity of mesh generation and robustness against mesh entanglement during large deformations are key attractive features of particle based methods. These features can be exploited in number of engineering problems where traditional techniques suffer due to aforementioned limitations. Numerical modelling of particulate composites is one of such ideal engineering applications where particle based methods can be effectively used due to their simplicity and robustness. Complicated geometrical configurations of particulate composites obtained from techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) can be easily converted to particle based mesh without loosing much information. This enables more accurate analysis of the chosen composite materials. Therefore, a smooth particle hydrodynamics (SPH) based numerical technique is developed here to investigate the mechanical properties and evolution of debonding process in particulate composites. To perform the numerical study, a Lagrangian corrected SPH (CSPH) method is presented together with an appropriate numerical model for treating material interface discontinuity within the particulate composites. The material interface discontinuity is enforced using an innovative method which combines penalty formulation with a bilinear interface cohesive model for SPH method. The proposed SPH methodology is used in a number of numerical examples involving composite materials and related interface problems. The effect of penalty value on the interface model and of the smoothing length of the SPH method are also analysed during these simulations. The results illustrate the effectiveness, robustness and potential of the developed methodology. It is concluded that the proposed numerical techniques can be easily and effectively applied to simulate multi-phase composites with various interface conditions and, can provide useful information regarding the inherent mechanism of damage evolution and fracture of particulate or fibre reinforced composites.     

A 3D Lagrangian gradient smoothing method framework with an adaptable gradient smoothing domain-constructing algorithm for simulating large deformation free surface flows

A novel smoothing particle hydrodynamics (SPH)-like Lagrangian meshfree method, named as Lagrangian gradient smoothing method (L-GSM), has been proposed to avoid the “tensile instability” issue in SPH simulation by replacing the SPH particle-summation gradient approximation technique with a local grid-based GSM gradient smoothing operator. The L-GSM model has been proven effective and efficient when applied to a wide range of large deformation problems for fluids and flowing solids in two-dimensional case. In this study, a three-dimensional (3D) L-GSM numerical framework is proposed for simulating large deformation problems with the existence of free surfaces through developing a widely adaptable 3D gradient smoothing domain (GSD) constructing algorithm. It includes three key novel ingredients: (i) the localized GSD based on an efficient distance-oriented particle-searching algorithm enabling both easy implementation and efficient computation; (ii) a novel algorithm for constructing 3D GSD to guarantee the effectiveness of the 3D GSM gradient operator adaptable to any extreme cases; (iii) a robust normalized 3D GSM gradient operator formulation that can restore the accuracy of gradient approximation even on boundary interface. The effectiveness of the proposed 3D GSD-constructing algorithm is first verified under various distribution conditions of particles. The accuracy of the proposed adaptable 3D GSM gradient algorithm is then examined through conducting a series of numerical experiments with different spacing ratios. Finally, the 3D L-GSM numerical framework is applied to solve a practical problem of free surface flows with large deformation: collapse of a soil column. The results reveal that the present adaptable 3D L-GSM numerical framework can effectively handle the large deformation problems, like flowing solids, with a constantly changing arbitrary free surface profile.     

Numerical study via total Lagrangian smoothed particle hydrodynamics on chip formation in micro cutting

Numerical simulation is an effective approach in studying cutting mechanism. The widely used methods for cutting simulation include finite element analysis and molecular dynamics. However, there exist some intrinsic shortcomings when using a mesh-based formulation, and the capable scale of molecular dynamics is extremely small. In contrast, smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) is a candidate to combine the advantages of them. It is a particle method which is suitable for simulating the large deformation process, and is formulated based on continuum mechanics so that large scale problems can be handled in principle. As a result, SPH has also become a main way for the cutting simulation. Since some issues arise while using conventional SPH to handle solid materials, the total Lagrangian smoothed particle hydrodynamics (TLSPH) is developed. But instabilities would still occur during the cutting, which is a critical issue to resolve. This paper studies the effects of TLSPH settings and cutting model parameters on the numerical instability, as well as the chip formation process. Plastic deformation, stress field and cutting forces are analyzed as well. It shows that the hourglass coefficient, critical pairwise deformation and time step are three important parameters to control the stability of the simulation, and a strategy on how to adjust them is provided.The full text can be downloaded at https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40436-020-00297-z     

A saturated discrete particle model and characteristic-based SPH method in granular materials

Based on the discrete particle model for solid-phase deformation of granular materials consisting of dry particulate assemblages, a discrete particle–continuum model for modelling the coupled hydro-mechanical behaviour in saturated granular materials is developed. The motion of the interstitial fluid is described by two parallel continuum schemes governed by the averaged incompressible N–S equations and Darcy's law, respectively, where the latter one can be regarded as a degraded case of the former. Owing to the merits in both Lagrangian and mesh-free characters, the characteristic-based smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method is proposed in this paper for modelling pore fluid flows relative to the deformed solid phase that is modelled as packed assemblages of interacting discrete particles. It is assumed that the formulation is Lagrangian with the co-ordinate system transferring with the movement of the solid particles. The assumed continuous fluid field is discretized into a finite set of Lagrangian (material) points with their number equal to that of solid particles situated in the computational domain. An explicit meshless scheme for granular materials with interstitial water is formulated. Numerical results illustrate the capability and performance of the present model in modelling the fluid–solid interaction and deformation in granular materials saturated with water. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Lagrangian gradient smoothing method for solid‐flow problems using simplicial mesh

A novel Lagrangian gradient smoothing method (L‐GSM) is developed to solve “solid‐flow” (flow media with material strength) problems governed by Lagrangian form of Navier‐Stokes equations. It is a particle‐like method, similar to the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method but without the so‐called tensile instability that exists in the SPH since its birth. The L‐GSM uses gradient smoothing technique to approximate the gradient of the field variables, based on the standard GSM that was found working well with Euler grids for general fluids. The Delaunay triangulation algorithm is adopted to update the connectivity of the particles, so that supporting neighboring particles can be determined for accurate gradient approximations. Special techniques are also devised for treatments of 3 types of boundaries: no‐slip solid boundary, free‐surface boundary, and periodical boundary. An advanced GSM operation for better consistency condition is then developed. Tensile stability condition of L‐GSM is investigated through the von Neumann stability analysis as well as numerical tests. The proposed L‐GSM is validated by using benchmarking examples of incompressible flows, including the Couette flow, Poiseuille flow, and 2D shear‐driven cavity. It is then applied to solve a practical problem of solid flows: the natural failure process of soil and the resultant soil flows. The numerical results are compared with theoretical solutions, experimental data, and other numerical results by SPH and FDM to evaluate further L‐GSM performance. It shows that the L‐GSM scheme can give a very accurate result for all these examples. Both the theoretical analysis and the numerical testing results demonstrate that the proposed L‐GSM approach restores first‐order accuracy unconditionally and does not suffer from the tensile instability. It is also shown that the L‐GSM is much more computational efficient compared with SPH, especially when a large number of particles are employed in simulation.     

Moving least‐squares particle hydrodynamics II: conservation and boundaries

Previous work by the author has shown that the consistency of the SPH method can be improved to acceptable levels by substituting MLS interpolants for SPH interpolants, that the SPH inconsistency drives the tension instability and that imposition of consistency via MLS severely retards tension instability growth. The new method however was not conservative, and made no provision for boundary conditions. Conservation is an essential property in simulations where large localized mass, momentum or energy transfer occurs such as high‐velocity impact or explosion modeling. A new locally conservative MLS variant of SPH that naturally incorporates realistic boundary conditions is described. In order to provide for the boundary fluxes one must identify the boundary particles. A new, purely geometric boundary detection technique for assemblies of spherical particles is described. A comparison with SPH on a ball‐and‐plate impact simulation shows qualitative improvement. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stabilized updated Lagrangian corrected SPH for explicit dynamic problems

Smooth particle hydrodynamics with a total Lagrangian formulation are, in general, more robust than finite elements for large distortion problems. Nevertheless, updating the reference configuration may still be necessary in some problems involving extremely large distortions. However, as discussed here, a standard updated formulation suffers the presence of zero‐energy modes that are activated and may completely spoil the solution. It is important to note that, unlike an Eulerian formulation, the updated Lagrangian does not present tension instability but only zero‐energy modes. Here a stabilization technique is incorporated to the updated formulation to obtain an improved method without any mechanisms and which is capable to solve problems with extremely large distortions. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

STRESS POINTS FOR TENSION INSTABILITY IN SPH

In this work, the stress-point approach, which was developed to address tension instability and improve accuracy in Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) methods, is further extended and applied for one-dimensional (1-D) problems. Details of the implementation of the stress-point method are also given. A stability analysis reveals a reduction in the critical time step by a factor of 1/√2 when the stress points are located at the extremes of the SPH particle. An elementary damage law is also introduced into the 1-D formulation. Application to a 1-D impact problem indicates far less oscillation in the pressure at the interface for coarse meshes than with the standard SPH formulation. Damage predictions and backface velocity histories for a bar appear to be quite reasonable as well. In general, applications to elastic and inelastic 1-D problems are very encouraging. The stress-point approach produces stable and accurate results. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A variational formulation based contact algorithm for rigid boundaries in two-dimensional SPH applications

Smooth particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) is one of the most effective meshless techniques used in computational mechanics. SPH approximations are simple and allow greater flexibility in various engineering applications. However, modelling of particle-boundary interactions in SPH computations has always been considered an aspect that requires further research. A number of techniques have been developed to model particle-boundary interactions in SPH and allied methods. In this paper, an innovative approach is introduced to handle the contact between Lagrangian SPH particles and rigid solid boundaries. The formulation of boundary contact forces are derived based on a variational formulation, thus directly ensuring the conservativeness of the governing equations. In addition, the new elegant boundary contact force terms maintain the simplicity of the SPH governing equations.     

A 3D fully Lagrangian Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics model with both volume and surface discrete elements

A 3D fully Lagrangian smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) model has been developed adopting a particle approximation, which considers both volume and surface elements at boundaries. The model is based on the main principles of the 2D model of Ferrand et al. (2012) and on the spatial reconstruction schemes used in SPH–arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian modeling to treat boundaries (Marongiu et al., 2007). This model is conceived to represent free surface flows and their interactions with solid structures. It is validated on a 2D water jet impact over a plate, a sloshing tank test case, and two experimental 3D dam break fronts, which interact with fixed obstacles. The results are compared with the available measurements and analytical solutions. We finally provide supplementary inter‐comparisons using another SPH numerical model, based on the semi‐analytical approach.Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simulation of single mode Rayleigh–Taylor instability by SPH method

A smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) solution to the Rayleigh–Taylor instability (RTI) problem in an incompressible viscous two-phase immiscible fluid with surface tension is presented. The present model is validated by solving Laplace’s law, and square bubble deformation without surface tension whereby it is shown that the implemented SPH discretization does not produce any artificial surface tension. To further validate the numerical model for the RTI problem, results are quantitatively compared with analytical solutions in a linear regime. It is found that the SPH method slightly overestimates the border of instability. The long time evolution of simulations is presented for investigating changes in the topology of rising bubbles and falling spike in RTI, and the computed Froude numbers are compared with previous works. It is shown that the numerical algorithm used in this work is capable of capturing the interface evolution and growth rate in RTI accurately.     

A semi-implicit stabilized particle Galerkin method for incompressible free surface flow simulations

A new particle Galerkin method is introduced to solve the Naiver-Stokes equations in a Lagrangian fashion. The present method aims to suppress key numerical instabilities observed in the strong form Lagrangian particle methods such as smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH), incompressible SPH, and moving particle semi-implicit for incompressible free surface flow simulations. It is well-known that strong form Lagrangian particle methods usually rely on ad hoc particle stabilization techniques based on particle shifting, artificial viscosity, or density-invariant condition due to some formulation inconsistency issues. In the present method, we introduce a momentum-consistent velocity smoothing algorithm which is used to combine with the second-order rotational incremental pressure-correction scheme to stabilize the pressure field as well as to enforce the consistency of Neumann boundary condition. To further impose slip-free or nonslip boundary conditions for the fluid flow, a penalty method which is free of ghost or dummy particles is developed. Finally, a particle insertion-deletion adaptive scheme is proposed when the violent fluid flow is considered. Four numerical examples are studied to validate the accuracy and stability of the present method.     

Topology optimization of plane structures using smoothed particle hydrodynamics method

This paper presents an alternative topology optimization method based on an efficient meshless smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) algorithm. To currently calculate the objective compliance, the deficiencies in standard SPH method are eliminated by introducing corrective smoothed particle method and total Lagrangian formulation. The compliance is established relative to a designed density variable at each SPH particle which is updated by optimality criteria method. Topology optimization is realized by minimizing the compliance using a modified solid isotropic material with penalization approach. Some numerical examples of plane elastic structure are carried out and the results demonstrate the suitability and effectiveness of the proposed SPH method in the topology optimization problem. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于SPH方法的剪切流驱动液滴在固体表面变形运动数值模拟研究

光滑粒子流体动力学(SPH)方法是纯拉格朗日粒子方法,可以有效避免网格法在模拟大变形过程中带来的网格扭曲等缺陷,适合模拟含大变形的剪切流驱动液滴在固体表面变形运动过程。在基于CSF模型的表面张力SPH方法基础上,采用新的边界处理方式和界面法向修正方法,引入Brackbill提出的壁面附着力边界条件处理方法,得到了含壁面附着力边界条件的表面张力算法。基于新方法模拟了剪切流驱动液滴在固体表面变形运动过程并与实验结果和VOF方法模拟结果进行了对比验证。结果表明:该方法在处理壁面附着力问题时精度较高,稳定性较好,适合处理工程中剪切流驱动液滴在固体表面变形运动问题。     

Spurious interface fragmentation in multiphase SPH

We investigate the issue of sub‐kernel spurious interface fragmentation occurring in SPH applied for multiphase flows. It has appeared recently that current SPH formulations for multiphase flows involving an interface between immiscible phases can suffer from non‐physical particle mixing through the interface, especially for flows with high density ratios. This is an important issue, in particular for applications where physical phenomena take place at the interface itself, such as phase change or the evolution of two‐phase flow patterns. In this paper, various remedies proposed in the literature are discussed. The current assumption that spurious interface fragmentation occurs only when there is no surface tension at the interface is revisited. We show that this is a general problem of current SPH formulations that appears even when surface tension is present. A new proposition for an interface sharpness correction term is put forward. A series of simulations of two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional bubbles rising in a liquid allow a comprehensive study and demonstrate the dependence of the new correction term on the kernel smoothing length. On the other hand, the overall flow behavior, including the interface shape, is not affected. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A unified stability analysis of meshless particle methods

A unified stability analysis of meshless methods with Eulerian and Lagrangian kernels is presented. Three types of instabilities were identified in one dimension: an instability due to rank deficiency, a tensile instability and a material instability which is also found in continua. The stability of particle methods with Eulerian and Lagrangian kernels is markedly different: Lagrangian kernels do not exhibit the tensile instability. In both kernels, the instability due to rank deficiency can be suppressed by stress points. In two dimensions the stabilizing effect of stress points is dependent on their locations. It was found that the best approach to stable particle discretizations is to use Lagrangian kernels with stress points. The stability of the least‐squares stabilization was also studied. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Incorporation of an SPH option into the EPIC code for a wide range of high velocity impact computations

This paper describes and demonstrates how a Smooth Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) algorithm can be incorporated into a standard Lagrangian code such as EPIC. The SPH technique is also Lagrangian, but it has variable nodal connectivity and can handle severe distortions in a manner comparable with Eulerian codes. Included is the SPH algorithm for axisymmetric geometry, example problems using only the SPH option, and example problems where the SPH grid is coupled to the standard EPIC grid. The coupling techniques allow for attachment, sliding, and automatic generation of SPH nodes.