A Mixed Hybrid Finite Volumes Solver for Robust Primal and Adjoint CFD

Abstract

In the context of gradient-based numerical optimisation, the adjoint method is an e cient way of computing the gradient of the cost function at a computational cost independent of the number of design parameters, which makes it a captivating option for industrial CFD applications involving costly primal solves. The method is however a ected by instabilities, some of which are inherited from the primal solver, notably if the latter does not fully converge. The present work is an attempt at curbing primal solver limitations with the goal of indirectly alleviating adjoint robustness issues. To that end, a novel discretisation scheme for the steady-state incompressible Navier- Stokes problem is proposed: Mixed Hybrid Finite Volumes (MHFV). The scheme draws inspiration from the family of Mimetic Finite Di erences and Mixed Virtual Elements strategies, rid of some limitations and numerical artefacts typical of classical Finite Volumes which may hinder convergence properties. Derivation of MHFV operators is illustrated and each scheme is validated via manufactured solutions: rst for pure anisotropic di usion problems, then convection-di usion-reaction and nally Navier-Stokes. Traditional and novel Navier-Stokes solution algorithms are also investigated, adapted to MHFV and compared in terms of performance. The attention is then turned to the discrete adjoint Navier-Stokes system, which is assembled in an automated way following the principles of Equational Di erentiation, i.e. the di erentiation of the primal discrete equations themselves rather than the algorithm used to solve them. Practical/computational aspects of the assembly are discussed, then the adjoint gradient is validated and a few solution algorithms for the MHFV adjoint Navier-Stokes are proposed and tested. Finally, two examples of full shape optimisation procedures on internal ow test cases (S-bend and U-bend) are reported.