Generation algorithm of grid model for complex terrain based on geodetic coordinate data transformation

Abstract Grid model construction is one of the preconditions for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation. As many environmental accidents or unfavorable incidents occur in complex real terrain circumstances, corresponding grid model generation algorithm for scenario simulation has become a hot research field. The digital elevation model (DEM) is common for three-dimensional terrain modeling. DEM data usually consist of a certain number of geodetic coordinates, however, CFD preprocessing platform can't identify geodetic coordinates directly. In this paper, firstly an algorithm of coordinate transformation was proposed, which could convert geodetic coordinates to Cartesian coordinates in the form of length (x), width (y) and height (z). Secondly, another algorithm that generates a complex real terrain grid model was recommended based on the algorithm mentioned previously, which could import converted terrain data into a gridding platform for constructing the CFD terrain grid model. Experiments’ results showed that the terrain grid algorithm obtained through the combination of the two algorithms is highly geometrically consistent with real terrain. The algorithm provided by this study could give a more reliable and convenient basis for the application of CFD fine simulation in real complex terrain.