NORMALIZED SMOOTHING FUNCTIONS FOR SPH IMPACT COMPUTATIONS

Abstract

This paper presents a normalized smoothing function (NSF) algorithm that can improve the accuracy of smooth particle hydrodynamics (SPH) impact computations. It is presented specifically for axisymmetric geometry, but the principles also apply to plane strain and three-dimensional geometry. The approach consists of adjusting the standard smoothing functions for every node (and every cycle) such that the normal strain rates are computed exactly for conditions of constant strain rates (linear velocity distributions). This, in turn, generally improves accuracy for non-uniform strain rates. This can significantly improve the accuracy for free boundaries, for non-uniform arrangements of SPH nodes, and for small smoothing distances. A new smoothing function is also introduced. The NSF algorithm is shown to provide improved accuracy for a series of cylinder impact examples that includes two different smoothing functions and two different smoothing distances.