Fourth-Order Runge–Kutta Schemes for Fluid Mechanics Applications

Multiple high-order time-integration schemes are used to solve stiff test problems related to the Navier–Stokes (NS) equations. The primary objective is to determine whether high-order schemes can displace currently used second-order schemes on stiff NS and Reynolds averaged NS (RANS) problems, for a meaningful portion of the work-precision spectrum. Implicit–Explicit (IMEX) schemes are used on separable problems that naturally partition into stiff and nonstiff components. Non-separable problems are solved with fully implicit schemes, oftentimes the implicit portion of an IMEX scheme. The convection–diffusion-reaction (CDR) equations allow a term by term stiff/nonstiff partition that is often well suited for IMEX methods. Major variables in CDR converge at near design-order rates with all formulations, including the fourth-order IMEX additive Runge–Kutta (ARK2) schemes that are susceptible to order reduction. The semi-implicit backward differentiation formulae and IMEX ARK2 schemes are of comparable efficiency. Laminar and turbulent aerodynamic applications require fully implicit schemes, as they are not profitably partitioned. All schemes achieve design-order convergence rates on the laminar problem. The fourth-order explicit singly diagonally implicit Runge–Kutta (ESDIRK4) scheme is more efficient than the popular second-order backward differentiation formulae (BDF2) method. The BDF2 and fourth-order modified extended backward differentiation formulae (MEBDF4) schemes are of comparable efficiency on the turbulent problem. High precision requirements slightly favor the MEBDF4 scheme (greater than three significant digits). Significant order reduction plagues the ESDIRK4 scheme in the turbulent case. The magnitude of the order reduction varies with Reynolds number. Poor performance of the high-order methods can partially be attributed to poor solver performance. Huge time steps allowed by high-order formulations challenge the capabilities of algebraic solver technology.

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