A parallel workload balanced and memory efficient lattice-Boltzmann algorithm with single unit BGK relaxation time for laminar Newtonian flows

作者：Vidal David^*; Roy Robert; Bertrand Francois

来源：Computers & Fluids, 2010, 39(8): 1411-1423.

DOI：10.1016/j.compfluid.2010.04.011

• Lattice Boltzmann method
• Fluid flow
• Porous media
• SPMD parallelization
• Workload balance
• Memory usage

A parallel workload balanced and memory efficient lattice-Boltzmann algorithm for laminar Newtonian fluid flow through large porous media is investigated. It relies on a simplified LBM scheme using a single unit BGK relaxation time, which is implemented by means of a shift algorithm and comprises an even fluid node partitioning domain decomposition strategy based on a vector data structure. It provides perfect parallel workload balance, and its two-nearest-neighbour communication pattern combined with a simple data transfer layout results in 20-55% lower communication cost, 25-60% higher computational parallel performance and 40-90% lower memory usage than previously reported LBM algorithms. Performance tests carried out using scale-up and speed-up case studies of laminar Newtonian fluid flow through hexagonal packings of cylinders and a random packing of polydisperse spheres on two different computer architectures reveal parallel efficiencies with 128 processors as high as 75% for domain sizes comprising more than 5 billion fluid nodes.

• 出版日期2010-9