Input File parameters

The input parameters for PVade are orgnized in categories:

  • General

  • Domain

  • Pv_array

  • Solver

  • Fluid

  • Structure

General

The General Category controls the simulation fundametal through the following sub-parameters:

  • test: is a boolean flag that controls if the run is a test or a production case (True or False)

  • geometry_module: Conrols the example to run. The user hase the choise between 5 examples currently implemented (panels3d, panels2d, flag2d, panels3d, panels2d)

  • output_dir: Sets the location of the output files (Takes a string of the path location)

  • mesh_only: A boolean flag to stop the simulation after the mesh creation step. (True to stop after the mesh gets created, False to conduct the whole simulation)

  • input_mesh_dir: Sets the location of Mesh already available. (Takes a string of the mesh location, e.g. output/panels3d/mesh)

  • structural_analysis: Boolean flag to conduct the Structural Analyis

  • fluid_analysis: Boolean flag to conduct the Fluid Analyis

Domain

The Domain category defines the geometric parameters necessary for the creation of the computational domain. The Comutational is a 3D box for 3D problems and a rectangle for 2D problems. The Box delimitations are controlled by:

  • x_min, x_max in the x-axis

  • y_min, y_max in the y_axis

  • z_min, z_max in the z-axis

Note: for 2D problems the rectangle is in the xz-plane.

The last parameter is l_char, which controls the mesh density and number of elements.

pv_array

PV_array sets the panel’s parameters.

  • stream_rows: The number of rows in the streamwise direction.

  • elevation: Height of the panels of the ground.

  • stream_spacing: The spacing between panels in the streamwise direction.

  • panel_chord: Panel’s width.

  • panel_span: Panel’s length.

  • panel_thickness: Panel’s Thickness.

  • tracker_angle: The angle of the panel with respect to the x-axis.

  • span_spacing: Spacing in the spanwise direction.

  • span_rows: The number of rows in the spanwise direction

  • span_fixation_pts: controls the point where the boundary condition of the torque tube is set

Note

  • The streamwise direction is along the x-axis

  • The spanwise direction is along the y-axis

  • The elvation is computed from the center of mass of the panel.

  • The spacing is computed from the center of mass of the panels.

solver:

The Solver category controls the types of solvers used at each step of the simulation

  • dt: Time step of the fluid simulation

  • t_final: The total simulation time for the CFD

  • solver1_ksp: takes a ksp_type

  • solver2_ksp: takes a ksp_type

  • solver3_ksp: takes a ksp_type

  • solver4_ksp: takes a ksp_type

  • solver1_pc: takes preonly

  • solver2_pc: takes preonly

  • solver3_pc: takes preonly

  • solver4_pc: takes preonly

  • save_text_interval: The interval at which PVade will generate output text files

  • save_xdmf_interval: The interval at which PVade will generate Solution files (.xdmf format)

Note

  • solver1_ksp, solver2_ksp and solver3_ksp set the ksp solver at each step of the ipcs scheme used to solve Navier stokes equations.

  • solver1_pc, solver2_pc and solver3_pc set the perceonditioner solver at each step of the ipcs scheme used to solve Navier stokes equations.

  • solver4_ksp and solver4_cg set the ksp solver and precondioner respectively for solve 4, which computes the stresses on the fluid side.

  • For a list of ksp solvers and preconditioners you can visit {insert link for dolfinx solvers}

fluid:

The fluid Category sets the CFD parameters for the fluid simulation

  • velocity_profile_type: General shape of inflow velocity profile

  • initialize_with_inflow_bc: Boolean flag to set the velocity everywhere in the domain to match the inflow BC velocity.

  • u_ref: Reference velocity at the center of the panel

  • nu: Dynamic viscosity

  • turbulence_model: can be set to smagorinsky or null for no turbulence

  • periodic: Boolean flag for periodic boundary conditions

  • bc_y_max: can be set to slip noslip free

  • bc_y_min: can be set to slip noslip free

  • bc_z_max: can be set to slip noslip free

  • bc_z_min: can be set to slip noslip free

  • wind_direction: set the wind direction angle with respect to the panels. Define numbers here with illustration

structure:

The structure Category sets the CSD parameters for the structural simulation

  • dt : set the time step for the CSD simulation

  • elasticity_modulus: set the Elasticity modulus for the structure

  • poissons_ratio: set poisson’s ratio for the structure

  • body_force_x: set the x component of the body force

  • body_force_y: set the y component of the body force

  • body_force_z: set the z component of the body force

  • bc_list: takes a string list with the sides to constrain e.g. [left]. add image displaying sides and explain type of constraint

  • tube_connection: Boolean flag to constrain rotation around a a torque tube. explain torque tube True

Input file Structure