Least‐squares mixed finite elements for small strain elasto‐viscoplasticity

The main aim of this contribution is to provide a mixed finite element for small strain elasto‐viscoplastic material behavior based on the least‐squares method. The L₂‐norm minimization of the residuals of the given first‐order system of differential equations leads to a two‐field functional with displacements and stresses as process variables. For the continuous approximation of the stresses, lowest‐order Raviart–Thomas elements are used, whereas for the displacements, standard conforming elements are employed. It is shown that the non‐linear least‐squares functional provides an a posteriori error estimator, which establishes ellipticity of the proposed variational approach. Further on, details about the implementation of the least‐squares mixed finite elements are given and some numerical examples are presented. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Natural element approximations involving bubbles for treating mechanical models in incompressible media

In this paper, a new approach is proposed to address issues associated with incompressibility in the context of the meshfree natural element method (NEM). The NEM possesses attractive features such as interpolant shape functions or auto‐adaptive domain of influence, which alleviates some of the most common difficulties in meshless methods. Nevertheless, the shape functions can only reproduce linear polynomials, and in contrast to moving least squares methods, it is not easy to define interpolations with arbitrary approximation consistency. In order to treat mechanical models involving incompressible media in the framework of mixed formulations, the associated functional approximations must satisfy the well‐known inf–sup, or LBB condition. In the proposed approach, additional degrees of freedom are associated with some topological entities of the underlying Delaunay tessellation, i.e. edges, triangles and tetrahedrons. The associated shape functions are computed from the product of the NEM shape functions related to the original nodes. Different combinations can be used to construct new families of NEM approximations. As these new approximations functions are not related to any node, as they vanish at the nodes, from now on we refer these shape functions as bubbles. The shape functions can be corrected enforcing different reproducing conditions, when they are used as weights in the moving least square (MLS) framework. In this manner, the effects of the obtained higher approximation consistency can be evaluated. In this work, we restrict our attention to the 2D case, and the following constructions will be considered: (a) bubble functions associated with the Delaunay triangles, called b1‐NEM and (b) bubble functions associated with the Delaunay edges, called b2‐NEM. We prove that all these approximation schemes allow direct enforcement of essential boundary conditions. The bubble‐NEM schemes are then used to approximate the displacements in the linear elasticity mixed formulation, the pressure being approximated by the standard NEM. The numerical LBB test is passed for all the bubble‐NEM approximations, and pressure oscillations are removed in the incompressible limit. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Overcoming element quality dependence of finite elements with adaptive extended stencil FEM (AES‐FEM)

The finite element methods (FEMs) are important techniques in engineering for solving partial differential equations, but they depend heavily on element shape quality for stability and good performance. In this paper, we introduce the Adaptive Extended Stencil Finite Element Method (AES‐FEM) as a means for overcoming this dependence on element shape quality. Our method replaces the traditional basis functions with a set of generalized Lagrange polynomial basis functions, which we construct using local weighted least‐squares approximations. The method preserves the theoretical framework of FEM and allows imposing essential boundary conditions and integrating the stiffness matrix in the same way as the classical FEM. In addition, AES‐FEM can use higher‐degree polynomial basis functions than the classical FEM, while virtually preserving the sparsity pattern of the stiffness matrix. We describe the formulation and implementation of AES‐FEM and analyze its consistency and stability. We present numerical experiments in both 2D and 3D for the Poisson equation and a time‐independent convection–diffusion equation. The numerical results demonstrate that AES‐FEM is more accurate than linear FEM, is also more efficient than linear FEM in terms of error versus runtime, and enables much better stability and faster convergence of iterative solvers than linear FEM over poor‐quality meshes. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mixed plate bending elements based on least‐squares formulation

A finite element formulation for the bending of thin and thick plates based on least‐squares variational principles is presented. Finite element models for both the classical plate theory and the first‐order shear deformation plate theory (also known as the Kirchhoff and Mindlin plate theories, respectively) are considered. High‐order nodal expansions are used to construct the discrete finite element model based on the least‐squares formulation. Exponentially fast decay of the least‐squares functional, which is constructed using the L₂ norms of the equations residuals, is verified for increasing order of the nodal expansions. Numerical examples for the bending of circular, rectangular and skew plates with various boundary conditions and plate thickness are presented to demonstrate the predictive capability and robustness of the new plate bending elements. Plate bending elements based on this formulation are shown to be insensitive to both shear‐locking and geometric distortions. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A modified least‐squares mixed finite element with improved momentum balance

The main goal of this contribution is to provide an improved mixed finite element for quasi‐incompressible linear elasticity. Based on a classical least‐squares formulation, a modified weak form with displacements and stresses as process variables is derived. This weak form is the basis for a finite element with an advanced fulfillment of the momentum balance and therefore with a better performance. For the continuous approximation of stresses and displacements on the triangular and tetrahedral elements, lowest‐order Raviart–Thomas and linear standard Lagrange interpolations can be used. It is shown that coercivity and continuity of the resulting asymmetric bilinear form could be established with respect to appropriate norms. Further on, details about the implementation of the least‐squares mixed finite elements are given and some numerical examples are presented in order to demonstrate the performance of the proposed formulation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The meshless Galerkin boundary node method for Stokes problems in three dimensions

The Galerkin boundary node method (GBNM) is a boundary only meshless method that combines an equivalent variational formulation of boundary integral equations for governing equations and the moving least‐squares (MLS) approximations for generating the trial and test functions. In this approach, boundary conditions can be implemented directly and easily despite of the fact that the MLS shape functions lack the delta function property. Besides, the resulting formulation inherits the symmetry and positive definiteness of the variational problems. The GBNM is developed in this paper for solving three‐dimensional stationary incompressible Stokes flows in primitive variables. The numerical scheme is based on variational formulations for the first‐kind integral equations, which are valid for both interior and exterior problems simultaneously. A rigorous error analysis and convergence study of the method for both the velocity and the pressure is presented in Sobolev spaces. The capability of the method is also illustrated and assessed through some selected numerical examples. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Different approaches for mixed LSFEMs in hyperelasticity: Application of logarithmic deformation measures

We present geometrically nonlinear formulations based on a mixed least‐squares finite element method. The L²‐norm minimization of the residuals of the given first‐order system of differential equations leads to a functional, which is a two‐field formulation dependent on displacements and stresses. Based thereon, we discuss and investigate two mixed formulations. Both approaches make use of the fact that the stress symmetry condition is not fulfilled a priori due to the row‐wise stress approximation with vector‐valued functions belonging to a Raviart‐Thomas space, which guarantees a conforming discretization of H(div). In general, the advantages of using the least‐squares finite element method lie, for example, in an a posteriori error estimator without additional costs or in the fact that the choice of the polynomial interpolation order is not restricted by the Ladyzhenskaya‐Babu?ka‐Brezzi condition (inf‐sup condition). We apply a hyperelastic material model with logarithmic deformation measures and investigate various benchmark problems, adaptive mesh refinement, computational costs, and accuracy.     

Non‐weak/strong solutions in gas dynamics: a C11 p‐version STLSFEF in Eulerian frame of reference using ρ, u,p primitive variables

This paper presents a space–time least squares finite element formulation of one‐dimensional transient Navier–Stokes equations (governing differential equations: GDE) for compressible flow in Eulerian frame of reference using ρ, u, p as primitive variables with C¹¹ type p‐version hierarchical interpolations in space and time. Time marching procedure is utilized to compute time evolutions for all values of time. For high speed gas dynamics the C¹¹ type interpolations in space and time possess the same orders of continuity in space and time as the GDE. It is demonstrated that with this approach accurate numerical solutions of Navier–Stokes equations are possible without any assumptions or approximations. In the approach presented here SUPG, SUPG/DC, SUPG/DC/LS operators are neither used nor needed. Time accurate numerical simulations show resolution of shock structure (i.e. shock speed, shock relations and shock width) to be in excellent agreement with the analytical solutions. The role of diffusion i.e. viscosity (physical or artificial) and thermal conductivity on shock structure is demonstrated. Riemann shock tube is used as a model problem. True time evolutions are reported beginning with the first time step until steady shock conditions are achieved. In this approach, when the computed error functionals become zero (computationally), the computed non‐weak solutions have characteristics as those of the strong solutions of the gas dynamics equations. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Smooth,second order,non‐negative meshfree approximants selected by maximum entropy

We present a family of approximation schemes, which we refer to as second‐order maximum‐entropy (max‐ent) approximation schemes, that extends the first‐order local max‐ent approximation schemes to second‐order consistency. This method retains the fundamental properties of first‐order max‐ent schemes, namely the shape functions are smooth, non‐negative, and satisfy a weak Kronecker‐delta property at the boundary. This last property makes the imposition of essential boundary conditions in the numerical solution of partial differential equations trivial. The evaluation of the shape functions is not explicit, but it is very efficient and robust. To our knowledge, the proposed method is the first higher‐order scheme for function approximation from unstructured data in arbitrary dimensions with non‐negative shape functions. As a consequence, the approximants exhibit variation diminishing properties, as well as an excellent behavior in structural vibrations problems as compared with the Lagrange finite elements, MLS‐based meshfree methods and even B‐Spline approximations, as shown through numerical experiments. When compared with usual MLS‐based second‐order meshfree methods, the shape functions presented here are much easier to integrate in a Galerkin approach, as illustrated by the standard benchmark problems. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A weighted collocation on the strong form with mixed radial basis approximations for incompressible linear elasticity

A weighted strong form collocation framework with mixed radial basis approximations for the pressure and displacement fields is proposed for incompressible and nearly incompressible linear elasticity. It is shown that with the proper choice of independent source points and collocation points for the radial basis approximations in the pressure and displacement fields, together with the analytically derived weights associated with the incompressibility constraint and boundary condition collocation equations, optimal convergence can be achieved. The optimal weights associated with the collocation equations are derived based on achieving balanced errors resulting from domain, boundaries, and constraint equations. Since in the proposed method the overdetermined system of the collocation equations is solved by a least squares method, independent pressure and displacement approximations can be selected without suffering from instability due to violation of the LBB stability condition. The numerical solutions verify that the solution of the proposed method does not exhibit volumetric locking and pressure oscillation, and that the solution converges exponentially in both L $_{2}$ norm and H $_{1}$ semi-norm, consistent with the error analysis results presented in this paper.     

Generalized finite element method using proper orthogonal decomposition

A methodology is presented for generating enrichment functions in generalized finite element methods (GFEM) using experimental and/or simulated data. The approach is based on the proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) technique, which is used to generate low‐order representations of data that contain general information about the solution of partial differential equations. One of the main challenges in such enriched finite element methods is knowing how to choose, a priori, enrichment functions that capture the nature of the solution of the governing equations. POD produces low‐order subspaces, that are optimal in some norm, for approximating a given data set. For most problems, since the solution error in Galerkin methods is bounded by the error in the best approximation, it is expected that the optimal approximation properties of POD can be exploited to construct efficient enrichment functions. We demonstrate the potential of this approach through three numerical examples. Best‐approximation studies are conducted that reveal the advantages of using POD modes as enrichment functions in GFEM over a conventional POD basis. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Weighted radial basis collocation method for boundary value problems

This work introduces the weighted radial basis collocation method for boundary value problems. We first show that the employment of least‐squares functional with quadrature rules constitutes an approximation of the direct collocation method. Standard radial basis collocation method, however, yields a larger solution error near boundaries. The residuals in the least‐squares functional associated with domain and boundary can be better balanced if the boundary collocation equations are properly weighted. The error analysis shows unbalanced errors between domain, Neumann boundary, and Dirichlet boundary least‐squares terms. A weighted least‐squares functional and the corresponding weighted radial basis collocation method are then proposed for correction of unbalanced errors. It is shown that the proposed method with properly selected weights significantly enhances the numerical solution accuracy and convergence rates. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Adaptive training of local reduced bases for unsteady incompressible Navier–Stokes flows

This report presents a numerical study of reduced‐order representations for simulating incompressible Navier–Stokes flows over a range of physical parameters. The reduced‐order representations combine ideas of approximation for nonlinear terms, of local bases, and of least‐squares residual minimization. To construct the local bases, temporal snapshots for different physical configurations are collected automatically until an error indicator is reduced below a user‐specified tolerance. An adaptive time‐integration scheme is also employed to accelerate the generation of snapshots as well as the simulations with the reduced‐order representations. The accuracy and efficiency of the different representations is compared with examples with parameter sweeps. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The least‐squares finite element method in elasticity—Part I: Plane stress or strain with drilling degrees of freedom

A new least‐squares finite element method (LSFEM) for plane elasticity problems is developed based on the first‐order displacement–stress–rotation formulation which includes two new first‐order compatibility constraints among the stresses and the drilling rotation. This LSFEM can accommodate all kinds of equal‐order interpolations. Numerical experiments on various examples including incompressible materials show that the method achieves an optimal rate of convergence for all variables. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A high‐order accurate particle‐in‐cell method

We propose the use of high‐order weighted essentially non‐oscillatory interpolation and moving‐least‐squares approximation schemes alongside high‐order time integration to enable high‐order accurate particle‐in‐cell methods. The key insight is to view the unstructured set of particles as the underlying representation of the continuous fields; the grid used to evaluate integro–differential coupling terms is purely auxiliary. We also include a novel regularization term to avoid the accumulation of noise in the particle samples without harming the convergence rate. We include numerical examples for several model problems: advection–diffusion, shallow water, and incompressible Navier–Stokes in vorticity formulation. The implementation demonstrates fourth‐order convergence, shows very low numerical dissipation, and is competitive with high‐order Eulerian schemes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Boundary element‐free method for fracture analysis of 2‐D anisotropic piezoelectric solids

This paper considers a 2‐D fracture analysis of anisotropic piezoelectric solids by a boundary element‐free method. A traction boundary integral equation (BIE) that only involves the singular terms of order 1/r is first derived using integration by parts. New variables, namely, the tangential derivative of the extended displacement (the extended displacement density) for the general boundary and the tangential derivative of the extended crack opening displacement (the extended displacement dislocation density), are introduced to the equation so that solution to curved crack problems is possible. This resulted equation can be directly applied to general boundary and crack surface, and no separate treatments are necessary for the upper and lower surfaces of the crack. The extended displacement dislocation densities on the crack surface are expressed as the product of the characteristic terms and unknown weight functions, and the unknown weight functions are modelled using the moving least‐squares (MLS) approximation. The numerical scheme of the boundary element‐free method is established, and an effective numerical procedure is adopted to evaluate the singular integrals. The extended ‘stress intensity factors’ (SIFs) are computed for some selected example problems that contain straight or curved cracks, and good numerical results are obtained. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A class of parallel multiple‐front algorithms on subdomains

A class of parallel multiple‐front solution algorithms is developed for solving linear systems arising from discretization of boundary value problems and evolution problems. The basic substructuring approach and frontal algorithm on each subdomain are first modified to ensure stable factorization in situations where ill‐conditioning may occur due to differing material properties or the use of high degree finite elements (p methods). Next, the method is implemented on distributed‐memory multiprocessor systems with the final reduced (small) Schur complement problem solved on a single processor. A novel algorithm that implements a recursive partitioning approach on the subdomain interfaces is then developed. Both algorithms are implemented and compared in a least‐squares finite‐element scheme for viscous incompressible flow computation using h‐ and p‐finite element schemes. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A rapid simulation of nano‐particle transport in a two‐dimensional human airway using POD/Galerkin reduced‐order models

An approach is proposed for the rapid prediction of nano‐particle transport and deposition in the human airway, which requires the solution of both the Navier–Stokes and advection–diffusion equations and for which computational efficiency is a challenge. The proposed method builds low‐order models that are representative of the fully coupled equations by means of the Galerkin projection and proper orthogonal decomposition technique. The obtained reduced‐order models (ROMs) are a set of ordinary differential equations for the temporal coefficients of the basis functions. The numerical results indicate that the ROMs are highly efficient for the computation (the speedup factor is approximately 3 × 10³) and have reasonable accuracy compared with the full model (relative error of ≈7 × 10^?3). Using ROMs, the deposition of particles is studied for 1≤d_n≤100 nm, where d_n is the diameter of a nano‐particle. The effectiveness of this approach is promising for applications of health risk assessment. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Assessment of explicit and semi‐explicit classes of model‐based algorithms for direct integration in structural dynamics

The ‘model‐based’ algorithms available in the literature are primarily developed for the direct integration of the equations of motion for hybrid simulation in earthquake engineering, an experimental method where the system response is simulated by dividing it into a physical and an analytical domain. The term ‘model‐based’ indicates that the algorithmic parameters are functions of the complete model of the system to enable unconditional stability to be achieved within the framework of an explicit formulation. These two features make the model‐based algorithms also potential candidates for computations in structural dynamics. Based on the algorithmic difference equations, these algorithms can be classified as either explicit or semi‐explicit, where the former refers to the algorithms with explicit difference equations for both displacement and velocity, while the latter for displacement only. The algorithms pertaining to each class are reviewed, and a new family of second‐order unconditionally stable parametrically dissipative semi‐explicit algorithms is presented. Numerical characteristics of these two classes of algorithms are assessed under linear and nonlinear structural behavior. Representative numerical examples are presented to complement the analytical findings. The analysis and numerical examples demonstrate the advantages and limitations of these two classes of model‐based algorithms for applications in structural dynamics. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An adaptive finite point method for the shallow water equations

An adaptive Finite Point Method (FPM) for solving shallow water problems is presented. The numerical methodology we propose, which is based on weighted‐least squares approximations on clouds of points, adopts an upwind‐biased discretization for dealing with the convective terms in the governing equations. The viscous and source terms are discretized in a pointwise manner and the semi‐discrete equations are integrated explicitly in time by means of a multi‐stage scheme. Moreover, with the aim of exploiting meshless capabilities, an adaptive h‐refinement technique is coupled to the described flow solver. The success of this approach in solving typical shallow water flows is illustrated by means of several numerical examples and special emphasis is placed on the adaptive technique performance. This has been assessed by carrying out a numerical simulation of the 26th December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami with highly encouraging results. Overall, the adaptive FPM is presented as an accurate enough, cost‐effective tool for solving practical shallow water problems. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.