120 lines
6.2 KiB
Markdown
120 lines
6.2 KiB
Markdown
---
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title: "SU2 code"
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chunk: 1/1
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source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SU2_code"
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category: "reference"
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tags: "science, encyclopedia"
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date_saved: "2026-05-05T10:13:57.043776+00:00"
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instance: "kb-cron"
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---
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SU2 (formerly Stanford University Unstructured) is a suite of open-source software tools written in C++ and Python for the numerical solution of partial differential equations (PDE) and performing PDE-constrained optimization. While initially developed for aerodynamics and compressible flow, it has evolved into a general-purpose multiphysics framework capable of simulating incompressible and compressible flows across all Mach regimes, species transport, conjugate heat transfer and combustion.
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The framework is specialized for gradient-based design optimization using integrated continuous and discrete adjoint solvers. A distinguishing feature for researchers is its use of algorithmic differentiation (AD) to provide exact discrete adjoint sensitivities for complex multiphysics chains, including fluid-structure interaction (FSI) and conjugate heat transfer. It supports unstructured meshes and offers extensibility through User Defined Functions (UDFs) and high-level Python wrappers.
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To stimulate development and use of the software, the SU2 Foundation was established as a non-profit organization to coordinate the global community of users and developers. SU2 is released under the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL) version 2.1.
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== Developers ==
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SU2 is being developed by individuals and organized teams around the world. The original SU2 Lead Developers are: Dr. Francisco Palacios and Dr. Thomas D. Economon.
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The most active groups developing SU2 are:
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Prof. Juan J. Alonso's group at Stanford University.
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Prof. Piero Colonna's group at Delft University of Technology.
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Prof. Nicolas R. Gauger's group at Kaiserslautern University of Technology.
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Prof. Alberto Guardone's group at Polytechnic University of Milan.
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Prof. Rafael Palacios' group at Imperial College London.
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=== Capabilities ===
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SU2 is a general-purpose multiphysics suite designed for the simulation of partial differential equations (PDE) on unstructured meshes. The framework is built to handle complex multi-physics interactions through a multi-zone approach, allowing different physical models to be solved in connected domains. Its current capabilities include:
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Flow Regimes: Compressible and incompressible solvers for Euler, Navier-Stokes, and RANS equations across all Mach regimes (low-speed to hypersonic). For low Mach incompressible flow problems, preconditioning methods are used.
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Turbulence & Transition Modeling:
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RANS Models: Includes several variants of the Spalart-Allmaras (SA) and Menter's Shear Stress Transport (SST) models, including curvature and rotation corrections (QCR).. The turbulence models include classical wall functions.
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Scale-Resolving Methods: Support for Large eddy simulation (LES), Detached eddy simulation (DES), and Delayed Detached Eddy Simulation (DDES) for unsteady separated flows.
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Transition Modeling:
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γ
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−
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R
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e
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θ
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{\displaystyle \gamma -Re_{\theta }}
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transition model.
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Design Optimization: Gradient-based shape optimization using integrated continuous and discrete adjoint solvers. It utilizes algorithmic differentiation (via CoDiPack) for exact sensitivities in complex multiphysics chains.
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Topology Optimization: Gradient-based structural topology optimization with length scale control via black-white filters
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Multiphysics & Structures:
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Solid Mechanics: Solvers for linear elasticity to model structural deformation.
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Thermal Analysis: Capability for conjugate heat transfer (CHT) to simulate heat exchange between fluid and solid regions.
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Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI): Static and dynamic coupling between fluid and structural solvers.
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Chemistry & Hypersonics:
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Combustion: Reacting flow modeling using the Flamelet generated manifold (FGM) method.
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Hypersonics (NEMO): Simulation of high-enthalpy flows including thermo-chemical non-equilibrium and ionization with detailed chemistry modeling.
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Advanced Numerics: Support for high-order Discontinuous Galerkin Method (DG) for improved accuracy in vortex-dominated simulations.
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User Interface & Ecosystem:
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SU2-GUI: A graphical user interface for mesh importation and solver configuration.
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Automation: A high-level Python interface for workflow automation and support for User Defined Functions (UDFs).
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== License ==
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SU2 is free and open source software, released under the GNU General Public License version 3 (SU2 v1.0 and v2.0) and GNU Lesser General Public License version 2.1 (SU2 v2.0.7 and later versions).
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== Alternative software ==
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=== Free and open-source software ===
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Advanced Simulation Library (AGPL)
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Code Saturne (GPL)
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FreeFem++
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Gerris Flow Solver (GPL)
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OpenFOAM
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=== Proprietary software ===
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ADINA CFD
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ANSYS CFX
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ANSYS Fluent
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Pumplinx
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STAR-CCM+
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COMSOL Multiphysics
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KIVA (software)
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RELAP5-3D
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SimScale
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== References ==
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== External links ==
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=== Official resources ===
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SU2 home page
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SU2 Github repository
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=== Community resources ===
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SU2 Forum at CFD Online
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SU2 wiki page at CFD Online
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== Further reading ==
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Economon, T. D.; Palacios, F.; Copeland, S. R.; Lukaczyk, T. W.; Alonso, J. J. (March 2016). "SU2: An Open-Source Suite for Multiphysics Simulation and Design". AIAA Journal. 54 (3): 828–846. Bibcode:2016AIAAJ..54..828E. doi:10.2514/1.J053813.
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Bluhdorn, J.; Gomes, P.; Aehle, M.; Gauger, N. (March 2025). "Hybrid parallel discrete adjoints in SU2". Computers & Fluids. 289 106528. doi:10.1016/j.compfluid.2024.106528.
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Mayer, D.; Beishuizen, N.; Pitsch, H.; Economon, T. D.; Carrigan, T. (August 2024). "Automatic adjoint-based design optimization for laminar combustion applications". Fuel. 370 131751. Bibcode:2024Fuel..37031751M. doi:10.1016/j.fuel.2024.131751.
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Rubino, A.; Vitale, S.; Colonna, P.; Pini, M. (2020). "Fully-turbulent adjoint method for the unsteady shape optimization of multi-row turbomachinery". Aerospace Science and Technology. 106 106132. Bibcode:2020AeST..10606132R. doi:10.1016/j.ast.2020.106132.
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== External links ==
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Official website
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SU2 Foundation – Official non-profit organization site
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SU2 on GitHub – Source code and development repository |