The Changing Face of High Performance Computing in the United States

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Development of Operational Technology for Meteorological High Performance Computing

As an important branch of information technology, high-performance computing has expanded its application field and its influence has been expanding. High-performance computing is always a key area of application in meteorology. We used field research and literature review methods to study the application of high performance computing in China’s meteorological department, and obtained the following results: 1) China Meteorological Department gradually established the first high-performance computer system since 1978. High-performance computing services can support operational numerical weather prediction models. 2) The Chinese meteorological department has always used the relatively advanced high-performance computing technology, and the business system capability has been continuously improved. The computing power has become an important symbol of the level of meteorological modernization. 3) High-performance computing technology and meteorological numerical forecasting applications are increasingly integrated, and continue to innovate and develop. 4) In the future, high-performance computing resource management will gradually transit from the current local pre-allocation mode to the local remote unified scheduling and shared use. In summary, we have come to the conclusion that the performance calculation business of the meteorological department will usher in a better tomorrow.

EEA algorithm model in estimating spread and evaluating countermeasures on high performance computing

This work started out with the in-depth feasibil-ity study and limitation analysis on the current disease spread estimating and countermea-sures evaluating models, then we identify that the population variability is a crucial impact which has been always ignored or less empha-sized. Taking HIV/AIDS as the application and validation background, we propose a novel al-gorithm model system, EEA model system, a new way to estimate the spread situation, evaluate different countermeasures and analyze the development of ARV-resistant disease strains. The model is a series of solvable ordi-nary differential equation (ODE) models to es-timate the spread of HIV/AIDS infections, which not only require only one year’s data to deduce the situation in any year, but also apply the piecewise constant method to employ multi- year information at the same time. We simulate the effects of therapy and vaccine, then evaluate the difference between them, and offer the smallest proportion of the vaccination in the population to defeat HIV/AIDS, especially the advantage of using the vaccination while the deficiency of using therapy separately. Then we analyze the development of ARV-resistant dis-ease strains by the piecewise constant method. Last but not least, high performance computing (HPC) platform is applied to simulate the situa-tion with variable large scale areas divided by grids, and especially the acceleration rate will come to around 4 to 5.5.

A review of high performance computing applications in high-speed rail systems

Further improving the railway innovation capacity and technological strength is the important goal of the 14th Five-Year Plan for railway scientific and technological innovation.It includes promoting the deep integration of cutting-edge technologies with the railway systems,strengthening the research and application of intelligent railway technologies,applying green computing technologies and advancing the collaborative sharing of transportation big data.The high-speed rail system tasks need to process huge amounts of data and heavy workload with the requirement of ultra-fast response.Therefore,it is of great necessity to promote computation efficiency by applying High Performance Computing(HPC)to high-speed rail systems.The HPC technique is a great solution for improving the performance,efficiency,and safety of high-speed rail systems.In this review,we introduce and analyze the application research of high performance computing technology in the field of highspeed railways.These HPC applications are cataloged into four broad categories,namely:fault diagnosis,network and communication,management system,and simulations.Moreover,challenges and issues to be addressed are discussed and further directions are suggested.

Evaluation of the Application Benefit of Meteorological High Performance Computing Resources

The meteorological high-performance computing resource is the support platform for the weather forecast and climate prediction numerical model operation. The scientific and objective method to evaluate the application of meteorological high-performance computing resources can not only provide reference for the optimization of active resources, but also provide a quantitative basis for future resource construction and planning. In this paper, the concept of the utility value B and index compliance rate E of the meteorological high performance computing system are presented. The evaluation process, evaluation index and calculation method of the high performance computing resource application benefits are introduced.

Carbonation Resistance of Sulphoaluminate Cement-based High Performance Concrete

The influences of water/cement ratio and admixtures on carbonation resistance of sulphoaluminate cement-based high performance concrete （HPC） were investigated. The experimental results show that with the decreasing water/cement ratio, the carbonation depth of sulphoaluminate cement-based HPC is decreased remarkably, and the carbonation resistance capability is also improved with the adding admixtures. The morphologies and structure characteristics of sulphoaluminate cement hydration products before and after carbonation were analyzed using SEM and XRD. The analysis results reveal that the main hydration product of sulphoaluminate cement, that is ettringite （AFt）, decomposes after carbonation.

HIGH PERFORMANCE SPARSE SOLVER FOR UNSYMMETRICAL LINEAR EQUATIONS WITH OUT-OF-CORE STRATEGIES AND ITS APPLICATION ON MESHLESS METHODS

A new direct method for solving unsymmetrical sparse linear systems（USLS） arising from meshless methods was introduced. Computation of certain meshless methods such as meshless local Petrov-Galerkin （MLPG） method need to solve large USLS. The proposed solution method for unsymmetrical case performs factorization processes symmetrically on the upper and lower triangular portion of matrix, which differs from previous work based on general unsymmetrical process, and attains higher performance. It is shown that the solution algorithm for USLS can be simply derived from the existing approaches for the symmetrical case. The new matrix factorization algorithm in our method can be implemented easily by modifying a standard JKI symmetrical matrix factorization code. Multi-blocked out-of-core strategies were also developed to expand the solution scale. The approach convincingly increases the speed of the solution process, which is demonstrated with the numerical tests.

A NEW HIGH PERFORMANCE SPARSE STATIC SOLVER IN FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS WITH LOOP-UNROLLING

In the previous papers, a high performance sparse static solver with two-level unrolling based on a cell-sparse storage scheme was reported. Although the solver reaches quite a high efficiency for a big percentage of finite element analysis benchmark tests, the MFLOPS （million floating operations per second） of LDL^T factorization of benchmark tests vary on a Dell Pentium IV 850 MHz machine from 100 to 456 depending on the average size of the super-equations, i.e., on the average depth of unrolling. In this paper, a new sparse static solver with two-level unrolling that employs the concept of master-equations and searches for an appropriate depths of unrolling is proposed. The new solver provides higher MFLOPS for LDL^T factorization of benchmark tests, and therefore speeds up the solution process.

Creep experimental test and analysis of high-performance concrete in bridge

Factors that have effect on concrete creep include mixture composition,curing conditions,ambient exposure conditions,and element geometry.Considering concrete mixtures influence and in order to improve the prediction of prestress loss in important structures,an experimental test under laboratory conditions was carried out to investigate compression creep of two high performance concrete mixtures used for prestressed members in one bridge.Based on the experimental results,a power exponent function of creep degree for structural numerical analysis was used to model the creep degree of two HPCs,and two series of parameters of this function for two HPCs were calculated with evolution program optimum method.The experimental data was compared with CEB-FIP 90 and ACI 209(92) models,and the two code models both overestimated creep degrees of the two HPCs.So it is recommended that the power exponent function should be used in this bridge structure analysis.

Parallel Optical Interconnect Technology: Combination of Higher Performance and Lower Energy Consumption

This paper analyzes the physical potential, computing performance benefi t and power consumption of optical interconnects. Compared with electrical interconnections, optical ones show undoubted advantages based on physical factor analysis. At the same time, since the recent developments drive us to think about whether these optical interconnect technologies with higher bandwidth but higher cost are worthy to be deployed, the computing performance comparison is performed. To meet the increasing demand of large-scale parallel or multi-processor computing tasks, an analytic method to evaluate parallel computing performance ofinterconnect systems is proposed in this paper. Both bandwidth-limit model and full-bandwidth model are under our investigation. Speedup and effi ciency are selected to represent the parallel performance of an interconnect system. Deploying the proposed models, we depict the performance gap between the optical and electrically interconnected systems. Another investigation on power consumption of commercial products showed that if the parallel interconnections are deployed, the unit power consumption will be reduced. Therefore, from the analysis of computing influence and power dissipation, we found that parallel optical interconnect is valuable combination of high performance and low energy consumption. Considering the possible data center under construction, huge power could be saved if parallel optical interconnects technologies are used.

Towards Auction-Based HPC Computing in the Cloud

Cloud computing is expanding widely in the world of IT infrastructure. This is due partly to the cost-saving effect of economies of scale. Fair market conditions can in theory provide a healthy environment to reflect the most reasonable costs of computations. While fixed cloud pricing provides an attractive low entry barrier for compute-intensive applications, both the consumer and supplier of computing resources can see high efficiency for their investments by participating in auction-based exchanges. There are huge incentives for the cloud provider to offer auctioned resources. However, from the consumer perspective, using these resources is a sparsely discussed challenge. This paper reports a methodology and framework designed to address the challenges of using HPC （High Performance Computing） applications on auction-based cloud clusters. The authors focus on HPC applications and describe a method for determining bid-aware checkpointing intervals. They extend a theoretical model for determining checkpoint intervals using statistical analysis of pricing histories. Also the latest developments in the SpotHPC framework are introduced which aim at facilitating the managed execution of real MPI applications on auction-based cloud environments. The authors use their model to simulate a set of algorithms with different computing and communication densities. The results show the complex interactions between optimal bidding strategies and parallel applications performance.

Use of Stone Dust in the Design of High Performance Concrete

This research evaluated the suitability of stone dust in the design and production of High Perfor-mance Concrete (HPC). HPC mix was designed, tested, costed and a comparison of concrete classes used in the market (Class 25, 30 and 35) done using Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA). The cost benefit was analyzed using Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and Net Present Value (NPV). Laboratory tests established the properties concrete obtained from the design mix. Compressive strength, slump, and modulus of elasticity were tested and analyzed. Structural analysis using BS 8110 was done for a 10 storey office building to establish the structural member sizes. Members obtained from concrete Classes 25, 30, 35 and the new compressive strengths from HPC (Class 80) were obtained and compared. Analysis was done for structural members’ sizes and area freed as a result of de-signing with HPC as well as the steel reinforcement used. To justify the initial cost of HPC if ado- pted, the Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) was used to estimate increased costs versus income resulting from increased let table space created. The minimum class of concrete used in design was limited to Class 25 N/mm2. The research shows that it is possible to manufacture high strength concrete using locally available stone dust. The stone dust sampled from Mlolongo quarries achieved a characteristic strength of 86.7 N/mm2 at a water cement ratio of 0.32. With the results structural analysis of a 10 storey office structures with columns spaced at 8 meters center to center was de-signed using the four classes and results compared. There was a reduction of columns from 1.2 m wide to 0.65 m wide (over 45%) when concrete class changes from Class 25 to Class 80 creating over 3% of the total space area per floor. Cost benefit analysis using Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) presented business case for the use of HPC. With Class 80, the IRR was at 3% and NPV being 8% of the total initial investment. The steel reinforcement increased by 8.64% using Class 30, 11.68% using Class 35 and reduced by 8.37% at Class 80. Further analysis needs to be done to understand the trend of steel reinforcement keeping all the member sizes the same. In this study the member sizes were optimized based on the steel reinforcement and serviceability. This paper provides useful information to design Engineers and Architects and inform future design of multi storey structures.

Analysis of Starting Performance of High PowerFactor Induction Motor with Floating Windingin Parallel Connection with Capacitors

In this paper, by using a matrix technique, a dynamic model of high power factor induction motor with floating winding in parallel connection with capacitors is established. Then, the starting performance of this motor is analyzed by computer simulation. By comparison of the tested and computed results, which are in good agreement, the dynamic model and simulative method are verified.

基于HPCC和层次分析法的高性能计算系统评价模型

HPCC(high performance computing challenge)基准是由DARPA的HPCS(high productivity computing system)项目所发布的评价高性能计算系统的测试基准程序,自推出至今,受到工业界和学术界的广泛关注.但是,HPCC仍有不尽如人意之处,主要表现在其测试结果是若干个指标项,需要测试者和决策者根据这些测试指标项进行分析和评估,缺少一个整体的、直观而统一的评价结果.提出一种基于HPCC和层次分析法的高性能计算系统评价模型——AHPCC(a high performance computer system evaluation model based on HPCC),当系统通过运行HPCC得到测试结果后,使用AHPCC模型对这些测试参数按系统应用目标建立层次结构图,并最终计算得到各系统关于特定应用目标的单一分数.以12个已测出HPCC性能参数的系统为例,使用AHPCC模型计算并分析了系统评价结果.实验结果表明,AHPCC模型提供了实际系统的统一而直观的评价指标,其评价结果符合高性能系统的设计和应用特点.

钢／聚丙烯混杂纤维对HPC深梁受弯性能的影响

为研究钢纤维和聚丙烯纤维对高性能混凝土(HPC)深梁受弯性能的影响,对17根含有不同钢纤维(体积掺量≤1%)和聚丙烯纤维(体积掺量≤0.2%)以及不同纵筋配筋率的HPC简支深梁进行4点受弯性能试验.结果显示:单一纤维或混杂纤维增强HPC深梁的初裂荷载提高了10%～40%;混杂纤维增强HPC适筋深梁的纵筋屈服荷载提高50%～150%,极限受弯承载力提高1～2倍,但无筋的混杂纤维HPC深梁承载力很小,破坏为剪切脆性破坏.试验结果表明:混杂纤维可以极大提高HPC深梁的受弯承载力,但混杂纤维的作用不能代替纵向钢筋的作用;可采用复合材料强度叠加原理及剩余弯曲强度理论来探讨混杂纤维增强HPC深梁的极限受弯承载力计算公式.

大掺量粉煤灰HPC高温下抗爆裂性及改善措施

针对工程中高性能混凝土（HPC）易爆裂问题,对100mm×100mm×100mm和100mm×100mm×300mm不同尺寸的HPC试件在20~650℃范围内进行抗爆裂性能对比研究.以普通混凝土为基准混凝土,考虑粉煤灰掺量和纤维、硅灰掺加对抗爆裂的影响,粉煤灰掺量分别为30%,40%和50%,胶凝材料中分别考虑不掺、单掺和复合掺加聚丙烯纤维和硅灰.试验结果表明,掺加聚丙烯纤维能够有效防止大掺量粉煤灰混凝土爆裂问题,但加入硅灰对其抗爆性能影响不大.借助SEM微观测试技术分析高温前后试件内部微观形貌结构,从本质上揭示高掺量粉煤灰混凝土易爆裂以及聚丙烯纤维改善大掺量粉煤灰HPC抗爆裂性能的机理.

基于等效龄期与结构单元的HPC早龄期拉伸徐变评价

通过对早期设计的拉伸徐变装置的改进,实验评价了养护温度和加载龄期对高性能混凝土早龄期拉伸徐变特性的影响.在考虑混凝土内部结构单元对徐变作用的基础上利用流变学原理提出了评价早龄期拉伸徐变的ZC模型.通过对拉伸徐变实验数据的分析,得到了模型参数,进而获得了早龄期拉伸徐变的评价式,并对其进行了实验验证.结果表明,高性能混凝土早龄期拉伸徐变在加载初期增长快速,后期则逐渐趋于稳定,并且养护温度越高,徐变收敛的趋势越明显;所提出的ZC模型能较好地描述不同养护温度和不同加载龄期早龄期拉伸徐变发展特征,对3d前加载的混凝土徐变应变的定量评价其误差在10%以内.

SimHPC:一种基于执行驱动的大规模并行系统模拟器

模拟实验方法对高性能计算机系统的性能评价和优化设计有着重要的意义,然而由于目标系统规模庞大,传统的体系结构模拟器难以满足模拟性能方面的要求.文中提出了一种专门用于高性能计算系统的模拟器——SimHPC,该模拟器采用执行驱动的全系统模拟方法,支持操作系统和应用程序的模拟运行.通过采用与目标系统同构的节点作为宿主节点以及并行模拟的方法,使得模拟性能相比传统的体系结构模拟器大幅提高,与现有的几种大规模并行系统模拟器相比,SimHPC在通用性和模拟性能方面也具有一定的优势.

PHPC：一种普及型高性能计算机

高性能计算的一个发展方向是可扩展系统,当前主要是研究千万亿次计算的关键技术;另一个发展方向是普及型系统,为此我们提出了PHPC(personal high performance computer)的一组技术.PHPC的主要特征是:适合办公室环境、规模化产品、用户为中心的使用模式、面向生产率的编程模式.面向普及的个人高性能计算机提供了许多创新研究的机会.基于PHPC的思想,我们给出了称为KD-50-Ⅱ的龙芯万亿次个人高性能计算机的设计,初步验证了PHPC的可行性.

HPCC:面向存储访问模型的基准测试—一种可能替代TOP500 HPL的测试方法

高性能计算机系统的性能评价历来是本领域所关注的重要问题.TOP500排名所采用的标准测试HPL(HigPerformanceLinpack)并不能真实的反映系统各方面的性能,尤其是存储访问方面.HPCChallenge基准测试则着重于各种存储访问模型,在HPL的基础之上又整合了多个有代表性的核心测试程序,很有可能在未来取代现在TOP500采用的的HPL测试.本文首先简单介绍HPCChallenge诞生的背景,解释基准测试的基本概念和原理,从存储访问模型的角度对各项测试进行了描述,并根据实际的测试结果进行比较和分析.最后给出结论以及将来的工作.