Open source pneumatic gun simulation

[btrettel]

After a few days of thought, I've decided to reduce the number of goals for the first version.

The first version will be written in Python. Why? Because I don't have to think about a lot of things I'll have to think about if I used a lower-level language. I already have too much on my plate.

The first version intentionally won't have a GUI. I'd also like to drop the optimizer for the first version. Again, both are too much to think about for now.

But I would like to start testing as soon as possible. I'll write a short document summarizing what sort of test data I'd like to have and how to get it.

The second version will probably be written in C++, but I haven't decided yet.

My job ends after next week, so I should be able to start doing some real work by then.

Edit: Job over. I have a few things to take care of and then I can start working.

[btrettel]

A status update:

Things are proceeding slower due to a change of plans. When I last posted, I was thinking I'd have to get another job, but due to some connections at my old job, I should be able to start grad school this fall.

Taking care of a bunch of paperwork and cleaning has occupied most of the past week. Right now I'm organizing computer files in preparation for writing an outline of my simulation. I have a lot of technical papers saved, but they're very disorganized.

[DYI]

Just wondering how you were doing with this. I'm now at university again, and getting back into the writing of fluid dynamics code. One project I'm planning for next summer requires a highly accurate simulation, and I'm starting to research the ALE method. Is your modeling approach stable so far?

[btrettel]

I'm now in grad school. Long story, but I'm happy to be here.

I decided to start working on the Lagrangian code again after I take the FE exam.

As I recall, what I wrote before was unstable (probably due to typos, though it could be inherent to the approach) and as I haven't touched it since then, it's still unstable. I did start outlining the algorithm and what equations I'll use (for valves, etc.) but I have not programmed anything new.

Incidentally, I'll be doing computer modeling of turbulent combustion for my MS research, so I'll be open to making a (reasonably good) combustion spud gun model down the road.