Deep learning or interpolation for inverse modelling of heat and fluid flow problems?

The purpose of this study is to compare interpolation algorithms and deep neural networks for inverse transfer problems with linear and nonlinear behaviour.

A series of runs were conducted for a canonical test problem. These were used as databases or “learning sets” for both interpolation algorithms and deep neural networks. A second set of runs was conducted to test the prediction accuracy of both approaches.

The results indicate that interpolation algorithms outperform deep neural networks in accuracy for linear heat conduction, while the reverse is true for nonlinear heat conduction problems. For heat convection problems, both methods offer similar levels of accuracy.

This is the first time such a comparison has been made.