Numerical simulations of elastic wave propagation using graphical processing units-Comparative study of high-performance computing capabilities

High-performance computing is important in many areas of engineering. Increasing capabilities of modern workstations open new possibilities in scientific computing. This paper demonstrates how graphical processing units can be used efficiently for large models of elastic wave propagation in complex media. The method is based on the local interaction simulation approach and a parallel algorithm architecture. The focus of the work presented is on numerical implementation and covers aspects related to software modular architecture, computer memory organisation and optimisation. A domain decomposition approach allowing for calculations using multiple-GPU configurations is proposed, implemented and examined. The performance of the proposed simulation framework is tested for numerical models of different sizes, various computing precisions and hardware platforms. The results obtained are discussed in terms of graphical processing unit limitations. Obtained results indicate significant speed-up factors comparing to calculations using central processing units or different modelling approaches. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.