Title: Fluid flow simulation over complex shape objects using image processing to achieve mesh generation

Authors: Khaoula Lassoued; Tonino Sophy; Julien Jouanguy; Luis Le-Moyne

Addresses: Heudiasyc UMR CNRS 7253, University of Technology of Compiègne, BP 20529 60200 Compiègne, France ' DRIVE EA1859, Univ. Bourgogne Franche Comté, F58000, Nevers, France ' DRIVE EA1859, Univ. Bourgogne Franche Comté, F58000, Nevers, France ' DRIVE EA1859, Univ. Bourgogne Franche Comté, F58000, Nevers, France

Abstract: In the domain of flow simulation, avoiding the manual conception and numerisation of the domain can lead to the saving of a certain amount of time. Some processes, using heavy devices like LASER metrology, allow the numerical reconstruction of a real object. The aim of this paper is to propose a more simple tool requiring a commercial digital camera (like a smartphone), to transform a digital picture into a ready to use mesh. Besides simplicity, the tool has to be precise enough to bring accurate simulation results. Then, image processing object detection and reconstruction are used to generate a 2D mesh that can be integrated in a finite volume transient CFD simulation. Cars and airfoils are chosen as objects and the DNS fluid flow Gerris solver performs the simulations. After a validation on a circular shape object, simulations, conducted at different Reynolds number, provide accurate results plotting the Von Karman alley regime.

Keywords: fluid flow simulation; 2D mesh; object recognition; complex shapes; vehicle flow; circular cylinders; square cylinders; airfoils; image processing; OpenCv; mesh generation; Gerris; digtal images; digital cameras; smartphones; image reconstruction; CFD; computational fluid dynamics.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSPM.2017.082791

International Journal of Simulation and Process Modelling, 2017 Vol.12 No.1, pp.54 - 68

Accepted: 27 Feb 2016
Published online: 12 Mar 2017 *

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