Verification of Codes and Calculations

TLDR

The paper reviews key concepts in computational fluid dynamics, distinguishing verification from validation, code verification from calculation verification, and discussing numerical versus modeling errors, convergence criteria, and error taxonomies. The authors advocate systematic grid convergence studies using manufactured solutions and a uniform reporting approach based on the Grid Convergence Index (GCI).

Abstract

Background discussion, definitions, and descriptions are given for some terms related to confidence building in computational fluid dynamics. The two principal distinctions made are between verification vs validation and between verification of codes vs verification of individual calculations. Also discussed are numerical errors vs conceptual modeling errors; iterative convergence vs grid convergence (or residual accuracy vs discretization accuracy); confirmation, calibration, tuning, and certification; error taxonomies; and customer illusions vs customer care. Emphasis is given to rigorous code verification via systematic grid convergence using the method of manufactured solutions, and a simple method for uniform reporting of grid convergence studies using the Grid Convergence Index (GCI). Also discussed are surrogate single-grid error indicators.