CUDA-Based Linear Solvers for Stable Fluids

Abstract

In the field of computer graphics, physically-based fluids simulations (i.e., simulations that solve the equations that govern fluids behavior) are performed using, among others, Stam's stable fluids method. This method requires the solution of two sparse linear systems that can be solved using an iterative solver (e.g., Jacobi, Gauss-Seidel, conjugate gradient, etc.). Focusing on real-time 3D applications, we provide and analyze the performance of the parallel GPU-based (using CUDA) algorithms of the Jacobi, Gauss-Seidel, and conjugate gradient solvers.