Mixed finite element approximation of an MHD problem involving conducting and insulating regions: The 3D case

In this paper we extend in 3D a 2D Lagrange finite element technique proposed previously in Guermond and Minev (Mod. Math. Anal. Num. 2001) for solving the Maxwell equations in the low‐frequency limit in a domain composed of conducting and insulating regions. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 19: 709–731, 2003.     

A nodal coupling of finite and boundary elements

This article presents and analyzes a simple method for the exterior Laplace equation through the coupling of finite and boundary element methods. The main novelty is the use of a smooth parametric artificial boundary where boundary elements fit without effort together with a straight approximate triangulation in the bounded area, with the coupling done only in nodes. A numerically integrated version of the algorithm is also analyzed. Finally, an isoparametric variant with higher order is proposed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 19: 555–570, 2003     

Numerical analysis of finite element methods for miscible displacements in porous media

Finite element methods are used to solve a coupled system of nonlinear partial differential equations, which models incompressible miscible displacement in porous media. Through a backward finite difference discretization in time, we define a sequentially implicit time-stepping algorithm that uncouples the system at each time-step. The Galerkin method is employed to approximate the pressure, and accurate velocity approximations are calculated via a post-processing technique involving the conservation of mass and Darcy's law. A stabilized finite element ( SUPG ) method is applied to the convection–diffusion equation delivering stable and accurate solutions. Error estimates with quasi-optimal rates of convergence are derived under suitable regularity hypotheses. Numerical results are presented confirming the predicted rates of convergence for the post-processing technique and illustrating the performance of the proposed methodology when applied to miscible displacements with adverse mobility ratios. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 14: 519–548, 1998     

Short Communication: A note on optimal hybrid V-cycle multilevel algorithms for mixed finite element systems with penalty term

In this paper, we investigate some cost-effective hybrid V-cycle multilevel algorithms for the discrete systems that arise when a mixed finite element approach is used to solve certain second-order elliptic boundary value problems. By introducing a small penalty parameter, the perturbed indefinite system can be reduced to a symmetric positive definite system involving the unknown flux alone. We study the numerical behaviour of some hybrid V-cycle multilevel algorithms with optimal computational complexity based on the hierarchical spatial decomposition approach proposed by Cai, Goldstein and Pasciaks for the reduced system. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Anisotropic curve shortening flow in higher codimension

We consider the evolution of parametric curves by anisotropic mean curvature flow in ?ⁿ for an arbitrary n?2. After the introduction of a spatial discretization, we prove convergence estimates for the proposed finite‐element model. Numerical tests and simulations based on a fully discrete semi‐implicit stable algorithm are presented. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Quasilinear poroelasticity: Analysis and hybrid finite element approximation

We consider a system of partial differential equations which models flows through elastic porous media. This system consists of an elasticity equation describing the displacement of an elastic porous matrix and a quasilinear elliptic equation describing the pressure of the saturating fluid (flowing through its pores). In this model, the permeability depends nonlinearly on the dilatation (divergence of the displacement) of the medium. We show that the solution has regularity. We describe the numerical approximation of solutions using a hybrid finite element‐least squares mixed finite element method. Error estimates are obtained through the introduction of an auxiliary linear elasticity equation. Numerical experiments verify the error estimates and validate the proposed poroelasticity model. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 31: 1174–1189, 2015     

An efficient hierarchical preconditioner for quadratic discretizations of finite element problems

Higher order finite element discretizations, although providing higher accuracy, are considered to be computationally expensive and of limited use for large‐scale problems. In this paper, we have developed an efficient iterative solver for solving large‐scale quadratic finite element problems. The proposed approach shares some common features with geometric multigrid methods but does not need structured grids to create the coarse problem. This leads to a robust method applicable to finite element problems discretized by unstructured meshes such as those from adaptive remeshing strategies. The method is based on specific properties of hierarchical quadratic bases. It can be combined with an algebraic multigrid (AMG) preconditioner or with other algebraic multilevel block factorizations. The algorithm can be accelerated by flexible Krylov subspace methods. We present some numerical results on the convection–diffusion and linear elasticity problems to illustrate the efficiency and the robustness of the presented algorithm. In these experiments, the performance of the proposed method is compared with that of an AMG preconditioner and other iterative solvers. Our approach requires less computing time and less memory storage. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Multilevel preconditioners for discretizations of the biharmonic equation by rectangular finite elements

Recently, some new multilevel preconditioners for solving elliptic finite element discretizations by iterative methods have been proposed. They are based on appropriate splittings of the finite element spaces under consideration, and may be analyzed within the framework of additive Schwarz schemes. In this paper we discuss some multilevel methods for discretizations of the fourth-order biharmonic problem by rectangular elements and derive optimal estimates for the condition numbers of the preconditioned linear systems. For the Bogner–Fox–Schmit rectangle, the generalization of the Bramble–Pasciak–Xu method is discussed. As a byproduct, an optimal multilevel preconditioner for nonconforming discretizations by Adini elements is also derived.     

A dual-dual mixed formulation for nonlinear exterior transmission problems

We combine a dual-mixed finite element method with a Dirichlet-to-Neumann mapping (derived by the boundary integral equation method) to study the solvability and Galerkin approximations of a class of exterior nonlinear transmission problems in the plane. As a model problem, we consider a nonlinear elliptic equation in divergence form coupled with the Laplace equation in an unbounded region of the plane. Our combined approach leads to what we call a dual-dual mixed variational formulation since the main operator involved has itself a dual-type structure. We establish existence and uniqueness of solution for the continuous and discrete formulations, and provide the corresponding error analysis by using Raviart-Thomas elements. The main tool of our analysis is given by a generalization of the usual Babuska-Brezzi theory to a class of nonlinear variational problems with constraints.

     

A third-order mixed finite-element method for the numerical solution of the biharmonic problem

This paper is devoted to the introduction of a mixed finite element for the solution of the biharmonic problem. We prove optimal rate of convergence for the element. The mixed approach allows the simultaneous approximation of both displacement and tensor of its second derivatives.     

Unified finite element discretizations of coupled Darcy–Stokes flow

In this article, we discuss some new finite element methods for flows which are governed by the linear stationary Stokes system on one part of the domain and by a second order elliptic equation derived from Darcy's law in the rest of the domain, and where the solutions in the two domains are coupled by proper interface conditions. All the methods proposed here utilize the same finite element spaces on the entire domain. In particular, we show how the coupled problem can be solved by using standard Stokes elements like the MINI element or the Taylor–Hood element in the entire domain. Furthermore, for all the methods the handling of the interface conditions are straightforward. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2009     

A two-stage least-squares finite element method for the stress-pressure-displacement elasticity equations

A new stress-pressure-displacement formulation for the planar elasticity equations is proposed by introducing the auxiliary variables, stresses, and pressure. The resulting first-order system involves a nonnegative parameter that measures the material compressibility for the elastic body. A two-stage least-squares finite element procedure is introduced for approximating the solution to this system with appropriate boundary conditions. It is shown that the two-stage least-squares scheme is stable and, with respect to the order of approximation for smooth exact solutions, the rates of convergence of the approximations for all the unknowns are optimal both in the H¹-norm and in the L²-norm. Numerical experiments with various values of the parameter are examined, which demonstrate the theoretical estimates. Among other things, computational results indicate that the behavior of convergence is uniform in the nonnegative parameter. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 14: 297–315, 1998     

An implicit–explicit residual error estimator for the coupling of dual‐mixed finite elements and boundary elements in elastostatics

We consider the coupling of dual‐mixed finite elements and boundary elements to solve a mixed Dirichlet–Neumann problem of plane elasticity. We derive an a‐posteriori error estimate that is based on the solution of local Dirichlet problems and on a residual term defined on the coupling interface. The general error estimate does not make use of any special finite element or boundary element spaces. Here the residual term is given in a negative order Sobolev norm. In practical applications, where a certain boundary element subspace is used, this norm can be estimated by weighted local L²‐norms. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A mixed finite element for the stokes problem using quadrilateral elements

The object of this paper is to complete the results obtained in [3] by showing that the new mixed finite element that we have constructed in [3] also works for quadrilateral elements and to compare this method with the standard finite volume method. Estimates of optimal order are derived for both the new mixed finite element and an associated finite volume method.     

Substructuring preconditioners for saddle-point problems arising from Maxwell's equations in three dimensions

This paper is concerned with the saddle-point problems arising from edge element discretizations of Maxwell's equations in a general three dimensional nonconvex polyhedral domain. A new augmented technique is first introduced to transform the problems into equivalent augmented saddle-point systems so that they can be solved by some existing preconditioned iterative methods. Then some substructuring preconditioners are proposed, with very simple coarse solvers, for the augmented saddle-point systems. With the preconditioners, the condition numbers of the preconditioned systems are nearly optimal; namely, they grow only as the logarithm of the ratio between the subdomain diameter and the finite element mesh size.

     

Symmetric coupling of finite and boundary elements for exterior magnetic field problems

We consider a coupled finite element (fe)–boundary element (be) approach for three‐dimensional magnetic field problems. The formulation is based on a vector potential in a bounded domain (fe) and a scalar potential in an unbounded domain (be). We describe a coupled variational problem yielding a unique solution where the constraints in the trial spaces are replaced by appropriate side conditions. Then we discuss a Galerkin discretization of the coupled problem and prove a quasi‐optimal error estimate. Finally we discuss an efficient preconditioned iterative solution strategy for the resulting linear system. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A mixed finite element method for a quasi‐Newtonian fluid flow

We propose a mixed formulation for quasi‐Newtonian fluid flow obeying the power law where the stress tensor is introduced as a new variable. Based on such a formulation, a mixed finite element is constructed and analyzed. This finite element method possesses local (i.e., at element level) conservation properties (conservation of the momentum and the mass) as in the finite volume methods. We give existence and uniqueness results for the continuous problem and its approximation and we prove error bounds. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2004.     

Discontinuous Galerkin approximations for elliptic problems

In this article, we analyze a discontinuous finite element method recently introduced by Bassi and Rebay for the approximation of elliptic problems. Stability and error estimates in various norms are proven. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 16: 365–378, 2000     

Preconditioners for nonconforming discretizations

We prove an abstract norm equivalence for a two-level method, which allows us to reduce the construction of preconditioners for nonconforming finite element discretizations to known cases of conforming elements.

     

‐error estimates of discontinuous Galerkin methods with theta time discretization scheme for an evolutionary HJB equations

The main purpose of this paper is to analyze the convergence and regularity of our proposed algorithm of the finite element methods coupled with a theta time discretization scheme for evolutionary Hamilton‐Jacobi‐Bellman equations with linear source terms with respect to the Dirichlet boundary conditions (Appl. Math. Comput., 262 (2015), 42.55 ). Also, an optimal error estimate with an asymptotic behavior in uniform norm is given. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.