Thermal model reduction using the super-face concept

The objective of this presentation is to carry out thermal model reduction in the context of the finite element method. The finite element model is decomposed in several sets of adjacent faces called super-faces. Specialized algorithms such as the METIS partitioning algorithm are used to automatically generate the super-faces. Several constraints may be imposed, e.g., the size of the super-face, its aspect ratio or its aperture angle. Once the model is decomposed, view factors between super-faces are calculated with direct numerical integration or ray-tracing methods. This method offers a very substantial reduction of the computational burden compared to the full model, which is particularly interesting for pre-design studies or specific applications such as deployable structures.