Evaluation of some data transfer algorithms for noncontiguous meshes

The objective of this research was to identify and evaluate selected suitab le methods to transfer information between computational methods with nonco ntiguous meshes or grids. This data transfer can easily be the Limiting fac tor in the accuracy of computational simulations in a variety of applicatio ns. The data to be transferred can include point variables, such as deflect ions, pressure, and temperature; area-based variables, such as loads; and r ates, such as heat flux. A method should provide smooch, yet accurate, tran sfer of data for a wide variety of functional forms. An extensive literatur e survey was completed that identified current algorithms in aerospace appl ications, as well as other candidate algorithms from different disciplines, such as mapping and CAD/CAM. The performance of the various methods was as sessed by a series of test cases, including the mapping of constant and lin ear functions, as well as sinusoidal functions with varying numbers of osci llations within the domain. Accuracy, computational memory requirements, an d computational time requirements were all evaluated.