Computational Fluid Dynamics: Applications

THE LATTICE BOLTZMANN METHOD FOR COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS APPLICATIONS Chinmay H. Adhvaryu, M.S. The University of Texas at Arlington, 2008 Supervising Professor: Brian H. Dennis An analysis of lattice Boltzmann method is presented in this thesis. This analysis contrast with the traditional lattice Boltzmann work, where complex fluids are considered with extended properties. Focus of the current thesis is on the validation and use of lattice Boltzmann method for traditional fluid dynamics. In first part of the document a historical and theoretical background of lattice Boltzmann method is presented. In this part some conclusions are drawn about the stability and other physical characteristics of the lattice Boltzmann method. Second part deals with the computer implementation of the LBM. It also discusses some aspect about practical usage of this method as a CFD tool. Boundary conditions are discussed in the same sections. Different method for boundary conditions and their numerical characteristics are presented. In the last section two numerical case studies are given for the lattice Boltzmann. Purpose of these numerical studies is to validate lattice Boltzmann method for traditional CFD application. Results of this numerical studies also reveals some facts about the physical aspect of lattice Boltzmann method.