9 From the POD-Galerkin method to sparse manifold models

Reduced-order models are essential for the accurate and efficient prediction, estimation, and control of complex systems. This is especially true in fluid dynamics, where the fully resolved state space may easily contain millions or billions of degrees of freedom. Because these systems typically evolve on a low-dimensional attractor, model reduction is defined by two essential steps: 1) identify a good state space for the attractor, and 2) identify the dynamics on this attractor. The leading method for model reduction in fluids is Galerkin projection of the Navier-Stokes equations onto a linear subspace of modes obtained via proper orthogonal decomposition (POD). However, there are serious challenges in this approach, including truncation errors, stability issues, difficulty handling transients, and mode deformation with changing boundaries and operating conditions. Many of these challenges result from the choice of a linear POD subspace in which to represent the dynamics. In this chapter, we describe an alternative approach, feature-based manifold modeling (FeMM), in which the low-dimensional attractor and nonlinear dynamics are characterized from typical experimental data: time-resolved sensor data and optional non-time-resolved particle image velocimetry (PIV) snapshots. FeMM consists of three steps: First, the sensor signals are lifted to a dynamic feature space. Second, we identify a sparse human-interpretable nonlinear dynamical system for the feature state based on the sparse identification of nonlinear dynamics (SINDy). Third, if PIV snapshots are available, a local linear mapping from the feature state to the velocity field is performed to reconstruct the full-state of the system. We demonstrate this approach, and compare with POD-Galerkin modeling, on the incompressible two-dimensional flow around a circular cylinder. Best practices and perspectives for future research are also included, along with open-source code for this example.