NUMERICAL GRID

The first step in obtaining a numerical

solution is to discretize the geometric
domain i.e. a numerical grid must be
Structured
defined. (regular) grid: Regular or
structured grids consist of families of grid
lines with the property that members of a
single family do not cross each other and
cross each member of the other families
only once.

D
DR.. AJMAL
AJMAL SHAH,
SHAH, PIEAS
PIEAS
 NUMERICAL GRID

Structured (regular) grid:

The position of any grid point (or control

volume) within the domain is uniquely
identified by a set of two (in 2D) or three (in
3D) indices, e.g. (i, j, k).
This is the simplest grid structure and is
logically equivalent to a Cartesian grid.
Each point has four neighbors in 2D and six
D
DR.. AJMAL
AJMAL SHAH,
SHAH, PIEAS
PIEAS
 NUMERICAL GRID

Structured (regular) grid:

The disadvantage of structured grids is that

they can be used only for simple
geometries.
Another disadvantage is that it may be
difficult to control the distribution of the
grid points or cells, thus wastage of
computing resources. This problem is
exaggerated in 3D problems.
The long thin cells may also affect the
convergence adversely.
Structure grids may be of H, O or C type.
The names are derived from the shapes of
the grid lines. D . AJMAL SHAH, PIEAS
DR. AJMAL SHAH, PIEAS
 NUMERICAL GRID

Block-Structured (regular) grid:

Block structure grids may or may not

overlap.
The interface between the blocks may be matching or non-
matching.

D
DR.. AJMAL
AJMAL SHAH,
SHAH, PIEAS
PIEAS
 NUMERICAL GRID

Block-Structured (regular) grid:

A block-structure grid with non-matching

interfaces is shown below.
It is more flexible, local refinement is
possible.
Used for complex flow domains.
Difficult to solve flow equations on such
grids.

D
DR.. AJMAL
AJMAL SHAH,
SHAH, PIEAS
PIEAS
 NUMERICAL GRID
Block-Structured (regular) grid:
Block structure grids with overlapping
blocks are also called composite or Chimera
grids.
Disadvantage is that it is difficult to enforce
conservation of properties at the interface.
Easily handle complex domains.
It can be used to follow moving bodies; one
block is attached to the body and moves
with it, while a stagnant grid covers the
surroundings.

D
DR.. AJMAL
AJMAL SHAH,
SHAH, PIEAS
PIEAS
 NUMERICAL GRID
Un-Structured (irregular) grid:
For very complex geometries, the most flexible type of grid is
one which can fit an arbitrary solution domain boundary.
In principle, such grids could be used with any discretization
scheme, but they are best adapted to the finite volume and
finite element approaches.
In practice, grids made of triangles or quadrilaterals in 2D,
and tetrahedra or hexahedra in 3D are most often used.

D
DR.. AJMAL
AJMAL SHAH,
SHAH, PIEAS
PIEAS
 NUMERICAL GRID

Un-Structured (irregular) grid:

Un-structured grids are easy to be refined locally.

The elements or control volumes may have any shape.
There is no restriction on the number of neighbor elements or
nodes.
The solver for such grids are generally slower than those for
regular grids.
The aspect ratio can be controlled.
The grid can be made orthogonal.

D
DR.. AJMAL
AJMAL SHAH,
SHAH, PIEAS
PIEAS
 NUMERICAL GRID

Orthogonal Quality:
It is an indicator of grid quality.
It is defined as the angle between face normal and vector
joining cell centers.
If both are parallel the grid is of good quality. The deviation
from being parallel defines the degree of worseness of a cell.
Aspect Ratio:
It is a measure of the stretching of the cell.
Aspect Ratio = A/B
A should be maximum of all.
B should be minimum of all.
Sudden and large changes in cell aspect
ratios in areas of large gradients should
be avoided.
D
DR.. AJMAL
AJMAL SHAH,
SHAH, PIEAS
PIEAS
 NUMERICAL GRID

Skewness:

It is defined as the difference between the shape of the cell

and the shape of an equilateral cell of equivalent volume.
Highly skewed cells can reduce accuracy and destabilize
the solution.

D
DR.. AJMAL
AJMAL SHAH,
SHAH, PIEAS
PIEAS