Interface propagation

Interface propagation (a.k.a. front tracking) is to track the location of the interface given the speed of motion at points on the interface. This problem has numerous applications in computer simulations of multiphysics systems, computer aided design, and computer graphics. The problem is particularly challenging because the interface can undergo singularities and/or topological changes. We are developing a new method for interface propagation, which delivers higher efficiency and better accuracy compared with existing methods (namely the level set method and the marker particle method), and which also detects and handles singularities and topological changes. The method has been implemented for two-dimensional problems and its extension to three-dimensions is underway.

Visualizations of Surface Propagation

Colors indicate the nodal displacements compared to the original mesh. Click on images to see movies in MPEG format.

ACM Rocket

(850KB) 71.5% burn back of unstructured fluids (Rocflu's) surface mesh with constant regression rate on the propellant surface (inner cylindrical and conic patches) and zero rate along the case and the head and aft ends. QuickTime Movie is also available (4.3MB).

(850KB) Movie from same simulation as above, with glyphs depicting nodal displacements. Seemingly chaotic initial displacements attests that the mesh is moved numerically instead of analytically.

$ACM Rocfrac mesh$ (710KB) 59.5% burn-back of unstructured solids (Rocfrac's) surface mesh with constant regression rate along propellant's (inner) surface and zero rate along the case (outer cylinder).

$ACM Rocfrac mesh$ (710KB) Movie from same simulation as above, but showing only the inner surface with glyphs depicting nodal displacements.

Star Slice

(580KB) Regression of star slice with constant burning rate conforming to entropy-satisfying Huygens' principle, in which the lower corners of the slots are rounded out. QuickTime Movie is also available (4.5MB).

(580KB) Regression of star slice in a convective motion, in which the slots remain sharp.

All results were obtained using Rocprop's face-offsetting method. Visualizations were done using Rocketeer 1.3.5, and converted into MPEG using ImageMagick with mepg2codec. QuickTime movies were generated using QuickTime 6 Pro for Mac OS X. Xiangmin Jiao.