Finite Element Simulation of Thermal Ablation Processes

This paper describes the capabilities of a numerical tool dedicated to the prediction of one- and two-dimensional (axisymmetric) thermal ablation. This code is capable of simulating surface ablation (oxidation, melting, sublimation) as well as in-depth transformations (pyrolysis).

In order to accurately track the boundary recession, an original solution method is used, which is based on a continuously deforming finite element grid. Mesh deformation further allows to overcome numerical difficulties such as lack of space discretization accuracy and large shape changes of the ablating structure.

Some one- and two-dimensional applications are presented to illustrate the methods and validate the code.