A TensorFlow-based new high-performance computational framework for CFD

In this study, a computational framework in the field of artificial intelligence was applied in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) field. This Framework, which was initially proposed by Google AI department, is called “TensorFlow”. An improved CFD model based on this framework was developed with a high-order difference method, which is a constrained interpolation profile (CIP) scheme for the base flow solver of the advection term in the Navier-Stokes equations, and preconditioned conjugate gradient (PCG) method was implemented in the model to solve the Poisson equation. Some new features including the convolution, vectorization, and graphics processing unit (GPU) acceleration were implemented to raise the computational efficiency. The model was tested with several benchmark cases and shows good performance. Compared with our former CIP-based model, the present TensorFlow-based model also shows significantly higher computational efficiency in large-scale computation. The results indicate TensorFlow could be a promising framework for CFD models due to its ability in the computational acceleration and convenience for programming.