Grid-Generation Algorithms for Complex Glaze-Ice Shapes Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes Simulations

The paper presents the developments of novel mesh generation algorithms over complex glaze-ice shapes containing multicurvature ice-accretion geometries, such as single/double ice horns. The twofold approaches tackle surface geometry discretization as well as field mesh generation. First, an adaptive curvilinear curvature control algorithm is constructed, solving a one-dimensional elliptic partial differential equation with periodic source terms. This method controls the arc length grid spacing, so that high convex and concave curvature regions around ice horns are appropriately captured, and is shown to effectively treat the grid shock problem. Second, a novel blended method is developed by defining combinations of source terms with two-dimensional elliptic equations. The source terms include two common control functions, Sorenson and Spekreijse, and an additional third source term to improve orthogonality. This blended method is shown to be very effective for improving grid quality metrics for complex glaze-ice meshes with Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes resolution. The performance in terms of residual reduction per nonlinear iteration of several solution algorithms (point–Jacobi, Gauss–Seidel, alternating direction implicit, point, and line Successive Over-Relaxation) are discussed within the context of a full multigrid operator. Details are given on the various formulations used in the linearization process. It is shown that this performance of the solution algorithm depends on the type of control function used. Finally, the algorithms are validated on standard complex experimental ice shapes, demonstrating the applicability of the methods.