Immersive virtual reality approach for fluid dynamics applications

Virtual reality is an emerging technology able to immerse a person within a simulation. This cutting-edge technology can be applied to many fields within science and engineering to provide a unique perspective of the data gathered. As high performance computing and visualization approaches are rapidly gaining ground in research, tools are needed to take advantage of the resulting data. A computational driven discipline such as Fluid Dynamics can be benefitted by the use of virtual reality to visualize the results from a computational simulation. To achieve this extent, the results of a Direct Numerical Simulation are extracted to be viewed in a virtual reality headset.

Direct Numerical Simulation with high spatial/temporal resolution of a spatially-developing turbulent boundary layer is performed. The initial turbulent flow in a zero pressure gradient boundary layer is subjected to a very strong favorable pressure gradient. The sudden acceleration imposed to the turbulent flow induces a concept known as quasi-laminarization. This phenomenon can be visualized by means of the use of an iso-surface algorithm.

An iso-surface algorithm creates a surface from the coordinates of a simulation that contain the same value. Distinct iso-surfaces vary depending on the data set that is used, such as velocity, pressure or temperature, and a chosen iso value. Once the iso-surfaces are calculated, it is then exported into a game engine with virtual reality capabilities. The game engine projects the iso-surface within a virtual reality headset to be viewed in 3D. With the results of a simulation in a headset, a completely immersive experience can be achieved.

Author(s):

Daniel Rodriguez    
Mechanical Engineering
University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez Campus
Puerto Rico

Gabriel Torres    
Mechanical Engineering
University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez Campus
Puerto Rico

Carlos Caro    
Mechanical Engineering
University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez Campus
Puerto Rico

Jose Lugo    
Mechanical Engineering
University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez Campus
Puerto Rico

Guillermo Araya    
Mechanical Engineering
University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez Campus
Puerto Rico