2011 PyLith and GALE Tutorials at Earthscope
PyLith Tutorial - Short-Term Tectonics
- Instructors: Brad Aagaard (USGS), Charles Williams (GNS Science), Matt Knepley (UChicago)
The tutorial will focus on the PyLith crustal deformation modeling software, while also providing an introduction to the use of the CUBIT meshing software developed by Sandia Labs.
PyLith is a finite-element code for 2-D and 3-D dynamic and quasi-static modeling of crustal deformation. The target applications span spatial scales ranging from tens of meters to hundreds of kilometers and temporal scales for dynamic modeling ranging from milliseconds to minutes or temporal scales for quasi-static modeling ranging from minutes to thousands of years. Current features include prescribed fault ruptures with multiple sequential earthquakes and aseismic creep, spontaneous fault ruptures with a variety of fault constitutive models, time-dependent Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions, absorbing boundary conditions, time-dependent point forces, and gravitational body forces. PyLith supports infinitesimal and small strain formulations for linear elastic rheologies, linear and generalized Maxwell viscoelastic rheologies, power-law viscoelastic rheologies, and Drucker-Prager elastoplastic rheologies.
During the training session, participants will be given background theory, an overview of PyLith and CUBIT including their strengths and weaknesses for geodynamic problems, and instruction on constructing a finite-element mesh, running a simulation, and post-processing (visualizing) the results.
Agenda for PyLith Tutorial session
Training in use of Crustal Deformation Modeling Software - PyLith
Date: Tuesday, May 17th, 2011 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m
Location: AT&T Executive Education Center, Room 106
Instructors: Brad Aagaard (USGS), Charles Williams (GNS Science), Matt Knepley (UChicago)
- 8:30am - 9:15am
- Introduction
- What is CIG?
- Overview of PyLith
- 9:15am - 10:45am
- Step-by-Step Example
- Generating a finite-element mesh using CUBIT
- Running static and quasi-static problems using PyLith
- Visualizing PyLith results using ParaView
- 10:45am - 11:15am
- Break
- 11:15am - 12:15pm
- Hands-on Session
Users work through simple examples that progress towards more realistic problems - 12:30pm - 1:30pm
- Lunch
- 1:30pm - 2:00pm
- Troubleshooting tips and tricks
- 2:00pm - 3:15pm
- Step-by-Step Subduction Zone Example
- Creating a mesh using CUBIT with geologic structure
- Running static and quasi-static problems using PyLith
- Visualizing PyLith results using ParaView
- 3:15pm - 3:45pm
- Break
- 3:45pm - 5:00pm
- Hands-on Session
Users work through examples and progress towards more realistic problems
SOFTWARE
We request all participants download and install PyLith, CUBIT, and ParaView on your laptops before the workshop, in order to maximize time spent on using the code in examples. See workflow diagram for a general description of the typical workflow used in numerical modeling of crustal dynamics.
- PyLith - static, quasi-static, and dynamic crustal deformation
Binary packages and the PyLith manual are available on the PyLith webpage. The manual has a troubleshooting section, and there are links to the cig-short mailing list where users can get assistance.
- CUBIT - finite-element meshing
Users can download a 30-day trial version from csimsoft. Follow the CUBIT link and open an account (does not require any financial commitment), to access links to binaries.
- ParaView - visualization
ParaView is a GUI visualization tool discussed in the PyLith examples. Binaries are available for a wide variety of platforms on the ParaView website. Click on RESOURCES->Download.