Flow past a random array of statistically homogeneously distributed stationary Platonic polyhedrons: Data analysis, Probability maps and Deep Learning models

We perform particle-resolved direct numerical simulations (PR-DNS) of the flow past a random array of stationary Platonic polyhedrons seeded in a tri-periodic box at Reynolds number Re=1, 10, and 100 and solid volume fraction 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2. Using Platonic polyhedrons enables us to examine the effects of particle angularity on the hydrodynamic force and torque exerted on the stationary particles in a controlled manner. We report the average drag, lift, and torque coefficients as well as their respective distribution. We explore the relationship between the particle angularity, particle angular position, flow disturbances created by the neighboring particles, and the hydrodynamic force and torque exerted on each individual particle. We attempt to extend our probability map based model (MPP), our Physics Informed neural network (PINN) model previously developed for spheres to Platonic polyhedrons, and propose an additional NN architecture. We show that ignoring the angular position and actual shape of the reference and neighboring particles constitutes a reasonable first order approximation that significantly simplifies the construction of deterministic models of hydrodynamic forces and torques at low Re=1 to moderate Re=10. At high Re=100, both the MPP model and the PINN model without any additional knowledge of the particle shape and angular position fail to properly predict the force and torque fluctuations. We then design a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) architecture that is able to maintain a satisfactory performance at Re=100 but requires additional input data in the form of a coarse-grained velocity field around each particle. Overall, predicting the torque fluctuation remains a significant challenge. [Display omitted] •Data on the flow past a random array of Platonic polyhedrons.•Statistical analysis of hydrodynamic force and torque.•Three predictive models of force and torque fluctuations.•Torque predictions at large Reynolds number remain a challenge.