Optimized smoothing kernels for SPH

TL;DR

This paper introduces new optimized smoothing kernels for SPH that enhance convergence and accuracy across various tests without extra computational cost, by combining kernels through an optimization process.

Contribution

The paper develops a novel optimization strategy for creating improved SPH kernels applicable to different gradient operators, including new kernels like Wu and Buhmann, and introduces a method for generating unbiased initial conditions.

Findings

Significant improvement in convergence at low neighbor numbers (<128).

Enhanced accuracy in Gresho-Chan vortex, Kelvin-Helmholtz instability, and Sod shocktube tests.

Optimized kernels outperform traditional Wendland kernels in key simulations.

Abstract

We present a set of new smoothing kernels for smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) that improve the convergence of the method without any additional computational cost. These kernels are generated through a linear combination of other SPH kernels, combined with an optimization strategy to minimize the error in the Gresho-Chan vortex test case. To facilitate the different choices in gradient operators for SPH in the literature, we perform this optimization for both geometric density average force SPH (GDSPH) and linear-corrected gradient SPH (ISPH). In addition to the Gresho-Chan vortex, we also perform simulations of the hydrostatic glass, Kelvin-Helmholtz instability, and the Sod shocktube case. At low neighbour numbers (< 128), there is a significant improvement across the different tests, with the greatest impact shown for GDSPH. Apart from the popular Wendland kernels, we also explore other positive-definite kernels in this paper, which include the "missing" Wendland kernels, Wu kernels, and Buhmann kernels. In addition, we also present a method for producing arbitrary non-biased initial conditions in SPH. This method uses the SPH momentum equation together with an artificial pressure, combined with a global and local relaxation stage to minimize local and global errors.