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Separating Physics and Dynamics Grids for Improved Computational Efficiency in Spectral Element Earth System Models

Journal Article · · Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/2020ms002419· OSTI ID:1810335
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [1];  [1];  [4]
  1. Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
  2. Sandia National Laboratories Albuquerque NM USA
  3. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
  4. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
+ Show Author Affiliations
Previous studies have shown that atmospheric models with a spectral element grid can benefit from putting physics calculations on a relatively coarse finite volume grid. Here we demonstrate an alternative high-order, element-based mapping approach used to implement a quasi-equal-area, finite volume physics grid in E3SM. Unlike similar methods, the new method in E3SM requires topology data purely local to each spectral element, which trivially allows for regional mesh refinement. Simulations with physics grids defined by 2 × 2, 3 × 3, and 4 × 4 divisions of each element are shown to verify that the alternative physics grid does not qualitatively alter the model solution. The model performance is substantially affected by the reduction of physics columns when using the 2 × 2 grid, which can increase the throughput of physics calculations by roughly 60%–120% depending on whether the computational resources are configured to maximize throughput or efficiency. A pair of regionally refined cases are also shown to highlight the refinement capability.
Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States); Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000; AC52-07NA27344
OSTI ID:
1810335
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1839872
Report Number(s):
LLNL-JRNL--815602; SAND--2021-7186J; 696922
Journal Information:
Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems, Journal Name: Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 13; ISSN 1942-2466
Publisher:
American Geophysical Union (AGU)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
E3SM
computational efficiency
effective resolution
grid remap methods