Approximation Spaces (approximation + space)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


The extended/generalized finite element method: An overview of the method and its applications

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING, Issue 3 2010
Thomas-Peter Fries
Abstract An overview of the extended/generalized finite element method (GEFM/XFEM) with emphasis on methodological issues is presented. This method enables the accurate approximation of solutions that involve jumps, kinks, singularities, and other locally non-smooth features within elements. This is achieved by enriching the polynomial approximation space of the classical finite element method. The GEFM/XFEM has shown its potential in a variety of applications that involve non-smooth solutions near interfaces: Among them are the simulation of cracks, shear bands, dislocations, solidification, and multi-field problems. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


A new class of stabilized mesh-free finite elements for the approximation of the Stokes problem

NUMERICAL METHODS FOR PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS, Issue 5 2004
V. V. K. Srinivas Kumar
Abstract Previously, we solved the Stokes problem using a new linear - constant stabilized mesh-free finite element based on linear Weighted Extended B - splines (WEB-splines) as shape functions for the velocity approximation and constant extended B-splines for the pressure (Kumar et al., 2002). In this article we derive another linear-constant element that uses the Haar wavelets for the pressure approximation and a quadratic - linear element that uses quadrilateral bubble functions for the enrichment of the velocity approximation space. The inf-sup condition or Ladyshenskaya-Babus,ka-Brezzi (LBB) condition is verified for both the elements. The main advantage of these new elements over standard finite elements is that they use regular grids instead of irregular partitions of domain, thus eliminating the difficult and time consuming pre-processing step. Convergence and condition number estimates are derived. Numerical experiments in two space dimensions confirm the theoretical predictions. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2004. [source]


eXtended Stochastic Finite Element Method for the numerical simulation of heterogeneous materials with random material interfaces

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING, Issue 10 2010
A. Nouy
Abstract An eXtended Stochastic Finite Element Method has been recently proposed for the numerical solution of partial differential equations defined on random domains. This method is based on a marriage between the eXtended Finite Element Method and spectral stochastic methods. In this article, we propose an extension of this method for the numerical simulation of random multi-phased materials. The random geometry of material interfaces is described implicitly by using random level set functions. A fixed deterministic finite element mesh, which is not conforming to the random interfaces, is then introduced in order to approximate the geometry and the solution. Classical spectral stochastic finite element approximation spaces are not able to capture the irregularities of the solution field with respect to spatial and stochastic variables, which leads to a deterioration of the accuracy and convergence properties of the approximate solution. In order to recover optimal convergence properties of the approximation, we propose an extension of the partition of unity method to the spectral stochastic framework. This technique allows the enrichment of approximation spaces with suitable functions based on an a priori knowledge of the irregularities in the solution. Numerical examples illustrate the efficiency of the proposed method and demonstrate the relevance of the enrichment procedure. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


A corrected XFEM approximation without problems in blending elements

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING, Issue 5 2008
Thomas-Peter Fries
Abstract The extended finite element method (XFEM) enables local enrichments of approximation spaces. Standard finite elements are used in the major part of the domain and enriched elements are employed where special solution properties such as discontinuities and singularities shall be captured. In elements that blend the enriched areas with the rest of the domain problems arise in general. These blending elements often require a special treatment in order to avoid a decrease in the overall convergence rate. A modification of the XFEM approximation is proposed in this work. The enrichment functions are modified such that they are zero in the standard elements, unchanged in the elements with all their nodes being enriched, and varying continuously in the blending elements. All nodes in the blending elements are enriched. The modified enrichment function can be reproduced exactly everywhere in the domain and no problems arise in the blending elements. The corrected XFEM is applied to problems in linear elasticity and optimal convergence rates are achieved. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Natural hierarchical refinement for finite element methods

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING, Issue 8 2003
Petr Krysl
Abstract Current formulations of adaptive finite element mesh refinement seem simple enough, but their implementations prove to be a formidable task. We offer an alternative point of departure which yields equivalent adapted approximation spaces wherever the traditional mesh refinement is applicable, but our method proves to be significantly simpler to implement. At the same time it is much more powerful in that it is general (no special tricks are required for different types of finite elements), and applicable for some newer approximations where traditional mesh refinement concepts are not of much help, for instance on subdivision surfaces. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Efficient algorithms for multiscale modeling in porous media

NUMERICAL LINEAR ALGEBRA WITH APPLICATIONS, Issue 5 2010
Mary F. Wheeler
Abstract We describe multiscale mortar mixed finite element discretizations for second-order elliptic and nonlinear parabolic equations modeling Darcy flow in porous media. The continuity of flux is imposed via a mortar finite element space on a coarse grid scale, while the equations in the coarse elements (or subdomains) are discretized on a fine grid scale. We discuss the construction of multiscale mortar basis and extend this concept to nonlinear interface operators. We present a multiscale preconditioning strategy to minimize the computational cost associated with construction of the multiscale mortar basis. We also discuss the use of appropriate quadrature rules and approximation spaces to reduce the saddle point system to a cell-centered pressure scheme. In particular, we focus on multiscale mortar multipoint flux approximation method for general hexahedral grids and full tensor permeabilities. Numerical results are presented to verify the accuracy and efficiency of these approaches. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]