Parallel finite element algorithm based on full domain partition for stationary Stokes equations

Based on the full domain partition, a parallel finite element algorithm for the stationary Stokes equations is proposed and analyzed. In this algorithm, each subproblem is defined in the entire domain. Majority of the degrees of freedom are associated with the relevant subdomain. Therefore, it can be solved in parallel with other subproblems using an existing sequential solver without extensive recoding. This allows the algorithm to be implemented easily with low communication costs. Numerical results are given showing the high efficiency of the parallel algorithm.     

An h-adaptive solution of the spherical blast wave problem

Shock waves and contact discontinuities usually appear in compressible flows, requiring a fine mesh in order to achieve an acceptable accuracy of the numerical solution. The usage of a mesh adaptation strategy is convenient as uniform refinement of the whole mesh becomes prohibitive in three-dimensional (3D) problems. An unsteady h-adaptive strategy for unstructured finite element meshes is introduced. Non-conformity of the refined mesh and a bounded decrease in the geometrical quality of the elements are some features of the refinement algorithm. A 3D extension of the well-known refinement constraint for 2D meshes is used to enforce a smooth size transition among neighbour elements with different levels of refinement. A density-based gradient indicator is used to track discontinuities. The solution procedure is partially parallelised, i.e. the inviscid flow equations are solved in parallel with a finite element SUPG formulation with shock capturing terms while the adaptation of the mesh is sequentially performed. Results are presented for a spherical blast wave driven by a point-like explosion with an initial pressure jump of 10⁵ atmospheres. The adapted solution is compared to that computed on a fixed mesh. Also, the results provided by the theory of self-similar solutions are considered for the analysis. In this particular problem, adapting the mesh to the solution accounts for approximately 4% of the total simulation time and the refinement algorithm scales almost linearly with the size of the problem.     

Parallel finite element simulation of mooring forces on floating objects

The coupling between the equations governing the free‐surface flows, the six degrees of freedom non‐linear rigid body dynamics, the linear elasticity equations for mesh‐moving and the cables has resulted in a fluid‐structure interaction technology capable of simulating mooring forces on floating objects. The finite element solution strategy is based on a combination approach derived from fixed‐mesh and moving‐mesh techniques. Here, the free‐surface flow simulations are based on the Navier–Stokes equations written for two incompressible fluids where the impact of one fluid on the other one is extremely small. An interface function with two distinct values is used to locate the position of the free‐surface. The stabilized finite element formulations are written and integrated in an arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian domain. This allows us to handle the motion of the time dependent geometries. Forces and momentums exerted on the floating object by both water and hawsers are calculated and used to update the position of the floating object in time. In the mesh moving scheme, we assume that the computational domain is made of elastic materials. The linear elasticity equations are solved to obtain the displacements for each computational node. The non‐linear rigid body dynamics equations are coupled with the governing equations of fluid flow and are solved simultaneously to update the position of the floating object. The numerical examples includes a 3D simulation of water waves impacting on a moored floating box and a model boat and simulation of floating object under water constrained with a cable. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A parallel monolithic algorithm for the numerical simulation of large‐scale fluid structure interaction problems

A novel parallel monolithic algorithm has been developed for the numerical simulation of large‐scale fluid structure interaction problems. The governing incompressible Navier–Stokes equations for the fluid domain are discretized using the arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian formulation‐based side‐centered unstructured finite volume method. The deformation of the solid domain is governed by the constitutive laws for the nonlinear Saint Venant–Kirchhoff material, and the classical Galerkin finite element method is used to discretize the governing equations in a Lagrangian frame. A special attention is given to construct an algorithm with exact total fluid volume conservation while obeying both the global and the local discrete geometric conservation law. The resulting large‐scale algebraic nonlinear equations are multiplied with an upper triangular right preconditioner that results in a scaled discrete Laplacian instead of a zero block in the original system. Then, a one‐level restricted additive Schwarz preconditioner with a block‐incomplete factorization within each partitioned sub‐domains is utilized for the modified system. The accuracy and performance of the proposed algorithm are verified for the several benchmark problems including a pressure pulse in a flexible circular tube, a flag interacting with an incompressible viscous flow, and so on. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Local and parallel finite element algorithms based on two-grid discretization for steady Navier-Stokes equations

Local and parallel finite element algorithms based on two-grid discretization for Navier-Stokes equations in two dimension are presented. Its basis is a coarse finite element space on the global domain and a fine finite element space on the subdomain. The local algorithm consists of finding a solution for a given nonlinear problem in the coarse finite element space and a solution for a linear problem in the fine finite element space, then droping the coarse solution of the region near the boundary. By overlapping domain decomposition, the parallel algorithms are obtained. This paper analyzes the error of these algorithms and gets some error estimates which are better than those of the standard finite element method. The numerical experiments are given too. By analyzing and comparing these results, it is shown that these algorithms are correct and high efficient.     

An iterative parallel algorithm of finite element method

In this paper, a parallel algorithm with iterative form for solving finite element equation is presented. Based on the iterative solution of linear algebra equations, the parallel computational steps are introduced in this method. Also by using the weighted residual method and choosing the appropriate weighting functions, the finite element basic form of parallel algorithm is deduced. The program of this algorithm has been realized on the ELXSI-6400 parallel computer of Xi'an Jiaotong University. The computational results show the operational speed will be raised and the CPU time will be cut down effectively. So this method is one kind of effective parallel algorithm for solving the finite element equations of large-scale structures.     

岩质圆形隧洞围岩应力场弹塑性新解

针对动态接触问题的有限元并行计算，提出了一种新的接触算法. 新算法引入局部拉氏 乘子技术来计算接触力. 由于同时考虑了无穿透的接触约束条件和相邻接触对的相互影响， 较之广泛使用的罚参数法，新算法使接触约束条件和系统平衡方程得到更充分的满足. 虽然 为提高接触计算精度而在局部采用了迭代技术，但算法仍然具有较高的效率，且与显式时间 积分方案完全相容. 此外，通过构造专门的区域分解方案，实现了将现有为串行程序开发的 搜索算法平滑移植到并行环境的目标. 数值算例表明，所提出的接触算法具有很好的并行性， 在保证了接触问题并行计算精度的同时，取得了满意的并行效率.     

A new finite element scheme using the Lagrangian framework for simulation of viscoelastic fluid flows

A new numerical scheme for simulation of viscoelastic fluid flows was designed, making use of finite element algorithms generally regarded as advantageous for tackling the problem. This includes the Lagrangian approach for the solution of viscoelastic constitutive equation using the co-deformational frame of reference with a possibility of analytically solving the equation along the particles trajectories, which in turn allowed eluding the solution of any system of linear equations for the stress. Then, the full ellipticity of the momentum conservation equation was utilised thanks to a possibility of accurate determination of the stress tensor independently of the velocity field at the current stage of computation. The needed independent stress was calculated at each time step on the basis of the past deformation history, which in turn was determined on the basis of the past velocity fields, all incorporated into a modified Euler time stepping algorithm. Owing to explicit inclusion of the full viscous term from the viscoelastic model into the momentum conservation equation, no stress splitting was necessary. The trajectory feet tracking was done accurately using a semi-analytic solution of the displacement gradient evolution equation and a weak formulation of the kinematics equation, the latter at the expense of solving an extra symmetric system of linear equations.The error expressed in the form of the Sobolev norms was determined using a comparison with available analytical solution for UCM fluid in the transient regime or numerically obtained steady-state stress values for the PTT fluid in Couette flow. The implementation of the PTT fluid model was done by modifying the relative displacement gradient tensor so that a new convective frame was defined.The stability of the algorithm was assessed using the well-known benchmark problem of a sphere sedimenting in a tube with viscoelastic fluid. The stable numerical results were obtained at high Weissenberg numbers, with the limit of convergence Wi=6.6, exceeding any previously reported values. The robustness of the code was proven by simulation of the Weissenberg effect (the rod-climbing phenomenon) with the use of PTT fluid.     

求解接触问题的一种新的实验误差法

提出了一种带松弛因子的UZAW算法求解实验误差法中给定状态下的位移和接触力满足的等式方程，并证明了该算法是R超线性收敛的。整个区域被划分为多个子区域，不同子区域位移场的求解是独立的。还提出了一种带参数的以不完全因子分解为基础的预条件子共轭梯度法求解不同子区域位移场，该算法在块体规模较大时更加有效。     

A 3D incompressible Navier–Stokes velocity–vorticity weak form finite element algorithm

The velocity–vorticity formulation is selected to develop a time‐accurate CFD finite element algorithm for the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations in three dimensions.The finite element implementation uses equal order trilinear finite elements on a non‐staggered hexahedral mesh. A second order vorticity kinematic boundary condition is derived for the no slip wall boundary condition which also enforces the incompressibility constraint. A biconjugate gradient stabilized (BiCGSTAB) sparse iterative solver is utilized to solve the fully coupled system of equations as a Newton algorithm. The solver yields an efficient parallel solution algorithm on distributed‐memory machines, such as the IBM SP2. Three dimensional laminar flow solutions for a square channel, a lid‐driven cavity, and a thermal cavity are established and compared with available benchmark solutions. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Weakly-imposed Dirichlet boundary conditions for non-Newtonian fluid flow

We propose a new formulation for weakly imposing Dirichlet boundary conditions in non-Newtonian fluid flow. It is based on the Gerstenberger–Wall formulation for Newtonian fluids [1], but extended to non-Newtonian fluids. It uses a stabilization term in the weak form that is independent from the actual fluid model used, except for an adjustable parameter κ, having the physical dimension of a viscosity. The new formulation is tested, combined with an extended finite element method, for the flow past a cylinder between two walls using both a generalized Newtonian and a viscoelastic fluid. It is shown that the convergence is optimal for the generalized Newtonian fluid by comparing with a converged boundary-fitted solution using traditional strong boundary conditions. Also the solution of the viscoelastic fluid compares very well with a traditional solution using a boundary-fitted mesh and strong Dirichlet boundary conditions. For both fluid models we also test various values of the κ parameter and it turns out that a value equal to the zero-shear-viscosity gives good results. But, it is also shown that a wide range of κ values can be chosen without sacrificing accuracy.     

An extended finite element method for the simulation of particulate viscoelastic flows

We present an extended finite element method (XFEM) for the direct numerical simulation of the flow of viscoelastic fluids with suspended particles. For moving particle problems, we devise a temporary arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) scheme which defines the mapping of field variables at previous time levels onto the computational mesh at the current time level. In this method, a regular mesh is used for the whole computational domain including both fluid and particles. A temporary ALE mesh is constructed separately and the computational mesh is kept unchanged throughout the whole computations. Particles are moving on a fixed Eulerian mesh without any need of re-meshing. For mesh refinements around the interface, we combine XFEM with the grid deformation method, in which nodal points are redistributed close to the interface while preserving the mesh topology. Our method is verified by comparing with the results of boundary fitted mesh problems combined with the conventional ALE scheme. The proposed method shows similar accuracy compared with boundary fitted mesh problems and superior accuracy compared with the fictitious domain method. If the grid deformation method is combined with XFEM, the required computational time is reduced significantly compared to uniform mesh refinements, while providing mesh convergent solutions. We apply the proposed method to the particle migration in rotating Couette flow of a Giesekus fluid. We investigate the effect of initial particle positions, the Weissenberg number, the mobility parameter of the Giesekus model and the particle size on the particle migration. We also show two-particle interactions in confined shear flow of a viscoelastic fluid. We find three different regimes of particle motions according to initial separations of particles.     

Parallel Computation of Unsteady Flows on Network of Workstations

A parallel algorithm is presented for explicit solution of compressible Euler equations. Upwinded forms of the equations are used in conjunction with the finite element formulation. The solution domain is subdivided into overlapped blocks which are distributed to available workstations. Parallelization is achieved by using a machine portable parallel library. This, together with the usage of an explicit time-integration scheme, makes the implementation of the algorithm on distributed systems a rather straight-forward task. Furthermore, it provides a very flexible platform for load balancing of available computers.     

弹性力学的复变量数值流形方法

数值流形方法通过引入数学和物理双重网格,将插值域和积分域分别定义在两个不同的覆盖上来完成系统能量泛函积分运算. 当采用高阶函数构造位移函数时,广义节点自由度将大大增加. 在求解系统的平衡方程中,运算量是与自由度的三次方成正比的,因此数值流形方法的计算量是较大的. 为此,在复变量理论的基础上,采用一维基函数建立二维问题的逼近试函数,然后将其应用于弹性力学的数值流形方法,提出了复变量数值流形方法,推导了弹性力学的复变量数值流形方法的公式. 与传统的数值流形方法相比,复变量数值流形方法具有计算量小、精度高的优点.      

数值流形方法及其在岩石力学中的应用

数值流形方法是目前岩石力学分析的主要方法之一.该方法起源于不连续变形分析,主要用于统一求解连续和非连续问题,其核心技术是在分析时采用了双重网格:数学网格提供的节点形成求解域的有限覆盖和权函数;而物理网格为求解的积分域.数学网格被用来建立数学覆盖,数学覆盖与物理网格的交集定义为物理覆盖,由物理覆盖的交集形成流形单元.流形方法的优点在于它使用了独立的数学和物理网格,具有和有限元明显不同的定义形式,且数学网格对于同一问题不同的求解精度的需求可以很方便地细化.由于该方法考虑了块体运动学,可以模拟节理岩体裂隙的开裂和闭合过程,因而在岩石力学中得到了广泛应用,近年来许多学者对该方法进行了研究.本文简要叙述了节理岩体的数值方法从连续到非连续的发展过程,详细地介绍了数值流形方法的组成和数值流形方法在岩石力学及其相关领域的研究和发展概况,最后就作者所关心的一些问题,如三维问题的数值流形方法、数值流形方法在物理非线性问题和裂纹扩展问题中的应用、相关的耦合方法等进行了探讨.      

A finite element analysis for the mixed mode crack growth in a viscoelastic and orthotropic medium

This paper deals with a finite element algorithm for the creep crack growth process in a viscoelastic medium. The main developments focus on the coupling between the M-integral and an incremental formulation for the viscoelastic behavior. In this context, mixed mode configurations are simulated for orthotropic symmetries. An algorithm uncoupling viscoelastic incremental formulation and the fracture procedure is resolved with finite element software. The global approach is validated in terms of the evolution of energy release rate versus time and the advance of cracks. Numerical simulations are based on a Constant Tension Shear model. The insensitivity of the M-integral to the integration domain is shown from creep crack growth simulations for mixed mode configurations.     

Drapage géométrique des compositesGeometrical draping of composite fabrics

This paper presents a study devoted to the composite fabric shaping simulation in finite strain analysis. We introduce a new geometrical approach based on the fishnet method for which the deformation of a fabric mesh element consists in a pure trellis effect. Such a fabric mesh element is then defined by a curved quadrilateral whose edges are geodesic lines with the same length plotted onto the surface to drape. Given three vertices of the fabric mesh element on the surface, we propose an optimization algorithm to define the fourth vertex of the fabric mesh element. This algorithm allows us to drape the surface using an advancing front approach from the data of an initial impact point between the fabric and the surface and the initial fibre directions at this point. A numerical draping simulation example using this approach is given. To cite this article: H. Borouchaki, A. Cherouat, C. R. Mecanique 331 (2003).     

Integration of B-spline geometry and ANCF finite element analysis

The goal of this investigation is to introduce a new computer procedure for the integration of B-spline geometry and the absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF) finite element analysis. The procedure is based on developing a linear transformation that can be used to transform systematically the B-spline representation to an ANCF finite element mesh preserving the same geometry and the same degree of continuity. Such a linear transformation that relates the B-spline control points and the finite element position and gradient coordinates will facilitate the integration of computer aided design and analysis (ICADA). While ANCF finite elements automatically ensure the continuity of the position and gradient vectors at the nodal points, the B-spline representation allows for imposing a higher degree of continuity by decreasing the knot multiplicity. As shown in this investigation, a higher degree of continuity can be systematically achieved using ANCF finite elements by imposing linear algebraic constraint equations that can be used to eliminate nodal variables. The analysis presented in this study shows that continuity of the curvature vector and its derivative which corresponds in the cubic B-spline representation to zero knot multiplicity can be systematically achieved using ANCF finite elements. In this special case, as the knot multiplicity reduces to zero, the recurrence B-spline formula causes two segments to automatically blend together forming one cubic segment defined on a larger domain. Similarly in this special case, the algebraic constraint equations required for the C ³ continuity convert two ANCF cubic finite elements to one finite element, demonstrating the strong relationship between the B-spline representation and the ANCF finite element representation. For the same order of interpolation, higher degree of continuity at the finite element interface can lead to a coarser mesh and to a lower dimensional model. Using the B-spline/ANCF finite element transformation developed in this paper, the equations of motion of a finite element mesh that represents exactly the B-spline geometry can be developed. Because of the linearity of the transformation developed in this investigation, all the ANCF finite element desirable features are preserved; including the constant mass matrix that can be used to develop an optimum sparse matrix structure of the nonlinear multibody system dynamic equations.     

A parallel solver based on the dual Schur decomposition of general finite element matrices

A parallel solver based on domain decomposition is presented for the solution of large algebraic systems arising in the finite element discretization of mechanical problems. It is hybrid in the sense that it combines a direct factorization of the local subdomain problems with an iterative treatment of the interface system by a parallel GMRES algorithm. An important feature of the proposed solver is the use of a set of Lagrange multipliers to enforce continuity of the finite element unknowns at the interface. A projection step and a preconditioner are proposed to control the conditioning of the interface matrix. The decomposition of the finite element mesh is formulated as a graph partitioning problem. A two-step approach is used where an initial decomposition is optimized by non-deterministic heuristics to increase the quality of the decomposition. Parallel simulations of a Navier–Stokes flow problem carried out on a Convex Exemplar SPP system with 16 processors show that the use of optimized decompositions and the preconditioning step are keys to obtaining high parallel efficiencies. Typical parallel efficiencies range above 80%. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A posteriori bounds for linear functional outputs of Crouzeix–Raviart finite element discretizations of the incompressible Stokes problem

A finite element technique is presented for the efficient generation of lower and upper bounds to outputs which are linear functionals of the solutions to the incompressible Stokes equations in two space dimensions. The finite element discretization is effected by Crouzeix–Raviart elements, the discontinuous pressure approximation of which is central to this approach. The bounds are based upon the construction of an augmented Lagrangian: the objective is a quadratic ‘energy’ reformulation of the desired output, the constraints are the finite element equilibrium equations (including the incompressibility constraint), and the inter‐sub‐domain continuity conditions on velocity. Appealing to the dual max–min problem for appropriately chosen candidate Lagrange multipliers then yields inexpensive bounds for the output associated with a fine‐mesh discretization. The Lagrange multipliers are generated by exploiting an associated coarse‐mesh approximation. In addition to the requisite coarse‐mesh calculations, the bound technique requires the solution of only local sub‐domain Stokes problems on the fine mesh. The method is illustrated for the Stokes equations, in which the outputs of interest are the flow rate past and the lift force on a body immersed in a channel. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.