arXiv subjects

Nicola Clinco

Publications and source records attributed to Nicola Clinco.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

End-to-end optimization of subgrid scale models for discontinuous spectral element schemes based on the discrete adjoint method

In computational fluid dynamics, Large Eddy Simulation (LES) offers a compelling balance between accuracy and computational cost by resolving large-scale flow structures while modeling unresolved subgrid scales. However, its predictive capacity is critically dependent on the choice and calibration of subgrid-scale (SGS) models, which often involve problem-dependent parameters and exhibit intricate interactions with the numerical discretization. In this work, we propose a discrete-adjoint framework to optimize SGS model parameters in the loop, leveraging automatic differentiation within a high-order Spectral Difference (SD) solver. Coarse-grained simulations of Forced Homogeneous Isotropic Turbulence (FHIT), together with filtered Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) data, are used to optimize a limited set of parameters for classical SGS models, including the Smagorinsky model and non-linear tensor-basis formulations. For chaotic systems such as LES, the choice of objective function plays a crucial role in the stability and accuracy of the optimization. Here, we consider the spatio-temporally averaged decay of the Legendre modal coefficients as the quantity of interest for the SD scheme. The optimization is performed across different grid resolutions and polynomial orders, highlighting the impact of numerical discretization on model performance. The methodology is applied to both one-dimensional Burgers turbulence and fully three-dimensional turbulence. The trained models are subsequently assessed on out-of-sample configurations, including Decaying Homogeneous Isotropic Turbulence (DHIT) and the Taylor-Green vortex. Variations in polynomial order, grid resolution, and Reynolds number are considered to evaluate robustness and generalization. In all test cases, the optimized models demonstrate significant improvements over baseline SGS closures.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2024

A data-driven study on Implicit LES using a spectral difference method

In this paper, we introduce a data-driven filter to analyze the relationship between Implicit Large-Eddy Simulations (ILES) and Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS) in the context of the Spectral Difference method. The proposed filter is constructed from a linear combination of sharp-modal filters where the weights are given by a convolutional neural network trained to replicate ILES results from filtered DNS data. In order to preserve the compactness of the discretization, the filter is local in time and acts at the elementary cell level. The neural network is trained on the data generated from the Taylor-Green Vortex test-case at Re=1600. In order to mitigate the temporal effects and highlight the influence of the spatial discretization, the ILES are periodically restarted from DNS data for different time windows. Smaller time windows result in higher cross-correlations between ILES and the filtered DNS snapshots using the data-driven filters. The modal decay of the filter for the smallest time window considered aligns with classical eigenanalysis, showing better energy conservation for higher orders of approximation. Similarly, an analysis of the filter's kernel in the Fourier space confirms that higher polynomial orders are less dissipative compared to lower orders. As large time windows are considered, the trained filter encounters difficulties in representing the data due to significant non linear effects. Additionally, the impact of the data-driven filter on the resolved kinetic energy has been assessed through the evaluation of the sub-grid production term which results in both direct and inverse cascades with the former being more likely on average. The presence of backscatter suggests that ILES based on Discontinuous Spectral Element Methods might be equipped with an intrinsic mechanisms to transfer energy in both directions with a predominance of direct kinetic energy cascade.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2024

Computational study of numerical flux schemes for mesoscale atmospheric flows in a Finite Volume framework

We develop, and implement in a Finite Volume environment, a density-based approach for the Euler equations written in conservative form using density, momentum, and total energy as variables. Under simplifying assumptions, these equations are used to describe non-hydrostatic atmospheric flow. The well-balancing of the approach is ensured by a local hydrostatic reconstruction updated in runtime during the simulation to keep the numerical error under control. To approximate the solution of the Riemann problem, we consider four methods: Roe-Pike, HLLC, AUSM+-up and HLLC-AUSM. We assess our density-based approach and compare the accuracy of these four approximated Riemann solvers using two two classical benchmarks, namely the smooth rising thermal bubble and the density current.

math.NA↗

arXiv2023

Filter stabilization for the mildly compressible Euler equations with application to atmosphere dynamics simulations

We present a filter stabilization technique for the mildly compressible Euler equations that relies on a linear or nonlinear indicator function to identify the regions of the domain where artificial viscosity is needed and determine its amount. For the realization of this technique, we adopt a three step algorithm called Evolve-Filter-Relax (EFR), which at every time step evolves the solution (i.e., solves the Euler equations on a coarse mesh), then filters the computed solution, and finally performs a relaxation step to combine the filtered and non-filtered solutions. We show that the EFR algorithm is equivalent to an eddy-viscosity model in Large Eddy Simulation. Three indicator functions are considered: a constant function (leading to a linear filter), a function proportional to the norm of the velocity gradient (recovering a Smagorinsky-like model), and a function based on approximate deconvolution operators. Through well-known benchmarks for atmospheric flow, we show that the deconvolution-based filter yields stable solutions that are much less dissipative than the linear filter and the Samgorinsky-like model and we highlight the efficiency of the EFR algorithm.

math.NA↗