A Direct Cut Approach for Overset Hole Cutting

The overset, or chimera, grid methodology utilizes a set of overlapping grids to discretize the solution domain. The critical first step in the overset process is the hole cutting with many different approaches currently in use. The present paper investigates an approach that seeks to maximize automation and minimize user inputs. The method uses the surfaces of the grids that define geometry for the hole cutting and will cut a minimal hole, which is required for geometries with small gaps between geometry components. The method is demonstrated for twoand three-dimensional cases. The present procedure is found to be effective in cutting minimal holes around complex geometries including small gap regions.