A mixed-variable continuously deforming finite element method for parabolic evolution problems. Part III: Numerical implementation and computational results

In Part I of this paper,¹ the conceptual framework of a rate variational least squares formulation of a continuously deforming mixed-variable finite element method was presented for solving a single evolution equation. In Part II² a system of ordinary differential equations with respect to time was derived for solving a system of three coupled evolution equations by the deforming grid mixed-variable least squares rate variational finite element method. The system of evolution equations describes the coupled heat flow, fluid flow and trace species transport in porous media under conditions when the flow velocities and constituent phase transitions induce sharp fronts in the solution domain. In this paper, we present the method we have adopted to integrate with respect to time the resulting spatially discretized system of non-linear ordinary differential equations. Next, we present computational results obtained using the code in which this deforming mixed finite element method was implemented. Because several features of the formulation are novel and have not been previously attempted, the problems were selected to exercise these features with the objective of demonstrating that the formulation is correct and that the numerical procedures adopted converge to the correct solutions.     

A mixed-variable continuously deforming finite element method for parabolic evolution problems. Part II: The coupled problem of phase-change in porous media

The conceptual framework of a least squares rate variational approach to the formulation of continuously deforming mixed-variable finite element computational scheme for a single evolution equation was presented in Part I.¹ In this paper (Part II), we extend these concepts and present an adaptively deforming mixed variable finite element method for solving general two-dimensional transport problems governed by a system of coupled non-linear partial differential evolution equations. In particular, we consider porous media problems that involve coupled heat and mass transport processes that yield steep continuous moving fronts, and abrupt, discontinuous, moving phase-change interfaces. In this method, the potentials, such as the temperature, pressure and species concentration, and the corresponding fluxes, are permitted to jump in value across the phase-change interfaces. The equations, and the jump conditions, governing the physical phenomena, which were specialized from a general multiphase, multiconstituent mixture theory, provided the basis for the development and implementation of a two-dimensional numerical simulator. This simulator can effectively resolve steep continuous fronts (i.e. shock capturing) without oscillations or numerical dispersion, and can accurately represent and track discontinuous fronts (i.e. shock fitting) through adaptive grid deformation and redistribution. The numerical implementation of this simulator and numerical examples that demonstrate the performance of the computational method are presented in Part III² of this paper.     

Continuously deforming finite elements

A general class of time-dependent co-ordinate transformations is introduced in a variational formulation for evolution problems. The variational problem is posed with respect to both solution and transformation field variables. An approximate analysis using finite elements is developed from the continuous variational form. Modified forms of the variational functional are considered to ensure the deforming mesh is not top irregular. ODE system integrators are utilized to integrate the resulting semidiscrete systems. In Part I we consider the formulation for problems in one spatial dimension and time, including, in particular, convection-dominated flows described by the convection-diffusion, Burgers' and Buckley–Leverett equations. In Part II the extension of the method to two dimensions and supporting numerical experiments are presented.     

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.     

A SPACE-TIME COUPLED p-VERSION LEAST SQUARES FINITE ELEMENT FORMULATION FOR UNSTEADY TWO-DIMENSIONAL NAVIER–STOKES EQUATIONS

This paper presents a p-version least squares finite element formulation for two-dimensional unsteady fluid flow described by Navier–Stokes equations where the effects of space and time are coupled. The dimensionless form of the Navier–Stokes equations are first cast into a set of first-order differential equations by introducing auxiliary variables. This permits the use of C⁰ element approximation. The element properties are derived by utilizing the p-version approximation functions in both space and time and then minimizing the error functional given by the space–time integral of the sum of squares of the errors resulting from the set of first-order differential equations. This results in a true space–time coupled least squares minimization procedure. The application of least squares minimization to the set of coupled first-order partial differential equations results in finding a solution vector {δ} which makes gradient of error functional with respect to {δ} a null vector. This is accomplished by using Newton's method with a line search. A time marching procedure is developed in which the solution for the current time step provides the initial conditions for the next time step. Equilibrium iterations are carried out for each time step until the error functional and each component of the gradient of the error functional with respect to nodal degrees of freedom are below a certain prespecified tolerance. The space–time coupled p-version approximation functions provide the ability to control truncation error which, in turn, permits very large time steps. What literally requires hundreds of time steps in uncoupled conventional time marching procedures can be accomplished in a single time step using the present space–time coupled approach. The generality, success and superiority of the present formulation procedure is demonstrated by presenting specific numerical examples for transient couette flow and transient lid driven cavity. The results are compared with the analytical solutions and those reported in the literature. The formulation presented here is ideally suited for space–time adaptive procedures. The element error functional values provide a mechanism for adaptive h, p or hp refinements.     

A three-field formulation for incompressible viscoelastic fluids

This paper presents a new stabilized finite element method for incompressible viscoelastic fluids. A three-field formulation is developed wherein Oldroyd-B model is coupled with the mass and momentum conservation equations for an incompressible viscous fluid. The variational multiscale (VMS) framework is employed to develop a stabilized formulation for the coupled momentum, continuity and stress equations. Based on the new stabilized method a family of linear and higher-order triangle and quadrilateral elements with equal-order velocity-pressure-stress fields is developed. Stability and convergence property of the various elements is studied and optimal rates are attained in the norms considered. The method is applied to some benchmark problems and accuracy and computational economy of the formulation is investigated for various flow conditions.     

Extended particle difference method for moving boundary problems

In this paper, we present an extended particle difference method for moving boundary (or interface) problems. The particle derivative approximation is further developed to approximate the Taylor polynomial with the moving least squares method through completely node-wise computations. The discontinuity (or singularity) in the derivative field and the kinetic relation of the interfacial physics are effectively immersed into the particle derivative approximation. The segmented points that discretize the moving interface are consecutively updated in an explicit manner to track the evolution of the moving interface topology. Discretized difference equations for the governing equations are directly constructed at the nodes and the segmented points of the computational domain and the moving interface, respectively. Assemblage of the discretized difference equations yields a linear algebraic system of equations that provides efficient and stable solution procedure for a strong formulation. Numerical examples demonstrate that this method achieves excellent accuracy and efficiency for moving boundary problems.     

A hybrid variational Allen-Cahn/ALE scheme for the coupled analysis of two-phase fluid-structure interaction

We present a partitioned iterative formulation for the modeling of fluid-structure interaction (FSI) in two-phase flows. The variational formulation consists of a stable and robust integration of three blocks of differential equations, viz, an incompressible viscous fluid, a rigid or flexible structure, and a two-phase indicator field. The fluid-fluid interface between the two phases, which may have high density and viscosity ratios, is evolved by solving the conservative phase-field Allen-Cahn equation in the arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian coordinates. While the Navier-Stokes equations are solved by a stabilized Petrov-Galerkin method, the conservative Allen-Cahn phase-field equation is discretized by the positivity preserving variational scheme. Fully decoupled implicit solvers for the two-phase fluid and the structure are integrated by the nonlinear iterative force correction in a staggered partitioned manner and the generalized-α method is employed for the time marching. We assess the accuracy and stability of the phase-field/ALE variational formulation for two- and three-dimensional problems involving the dynamical interaction of rigid bodies with free surface. We consider the decay test problems of increasing complexity, namely, free translational heave decay of a circular cylinder and free rotation of a rectangular barge. Through numerical experiments, we show that the proposed formulation is stable and robust for high density ratios across fluid-fluid interface and for low structure-to-fluid mass ratio with strong added-mass effects. Overall, the proposed variational formulation produces results with high accuracy and compares well with available measurements and reference numerical data. Using unstructured meshes, we demonstrate the second-order temporal accuracy of the coupled phase-field/ALE method via decay test of a circular cylinder interacting with the free surface. Finally, we demonstrate the three-dimensional phase-field FSI formulation for a practical problem of internal two-phase flow in a flexible circular pipe subjected to vortex-induced vibrations due to external fluid flow.     

Localized meshless point collocation method for time-dependent magnetohydrodynamics flow through pipes under a variety of wall conductivity conditions

In this article a numerical solution of the time dependent, coupled system equations of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) flow is obtained, using the strong-form local meshless point collocation (LMPC) method. The approximation of the field variables is obtained with the moving least squares (MLS) approximation. Regular and irregular nodal distributions are used. Thus, a numerical solver is developed for the unsteady coupled MHD problems, using the collocation formulation, for regular and irregular cross sections, as are the rectangular, triangular and circular. Arbitrary wall conductivity conditions are applied when a uniform magnetic field is imposed at characteristic directions relative to the flow one. Velocity and induced magnetic field across the section have been evaluated at various time intervals for several Hartmann numbers (up to 10⁵) and wall conductivities. The numerical results of the strong-form MPC method are compared with those obtained using two weak-form meshless methods, that is, the local boundary integral equation (LBIE) meshless method and the meshless local Petrov–Galerkin (MLPG) method, and with the analytical solutions, where they are available. Furthermore, the accuracy of the method is assessed in terms of the error norms L ₂ and L _∞, the number of nodes in the domain of influence and the time step length depicting the convergence rate of the method. Run time results are also presented demonstrating the efficiency and the applicability of the method for real world problems.     

Adjoint‐weighted variational formulation for the direct solution of inverse problems of general linear elasticity with full interior data

We describe a novel variational formulation of inverse elasticity problems given interior data. The class of problems considered is rather general and includes, as special cases, plane deformations, compressibility and incompressiblity in isotropic materials, 3D deformations, and anisotropy. The strong form of this problem is governed by equations of pure advective transport. The variational formulation is based on a generalization of the adjoint‐weighted variational equation (AWE) formulation, originally developed for flow of a passive scalar. We describe how to apply AWE to various cases, and prove several properties. We prove that the Galerkin discretization of the AWE formulation leads to a stable, convergent numerical method, and prove optimal rates of convergence. The numerical examples demonstrate optimal convergence of the method with mesh refinement for multiple unknown material parameters, graceful performance in the presence of noise, and robust behavior of the method when the target solution is C^∞, C⁰, or discontinuous. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On the contact mechanics of a rolling cylinder on a graded coating. Part 1: Analytical formulation

In this paper, the fully coupled rolling contact problem of a graded coating/substrate system under the action of a rigid cylinder is investigated. Using the singular integral equation approach, the governing equations of the rolling contact problem are constructed for all possible stick/slip regimes. Applying the Gauss–Chebyshev numerical integration method, the governing equations are converted to systems of algebraic equations. A new numerical algorithm is proposed to solve these systems of equations. Both the coupled and the uncoupled solutions to the problem are found through an implemented iterative procedure. In Part I of this paper, the analytical formulation of the rolling contact problem and the discretization of the governing equations are introduced for all assumed stick/slip regimes. A detailed discussion of the proposed numerical algorithm, the iteration procedure and the numerical results, obtained using the analytical formulation, are given in Part II.     

Finite element Lagrange multiplier formulation for size-dependent skew-symmetric couple-stress planar elasticity

We develop a variational principle based on recent advances in couple-stress theory and the introduction of an engineering mean curvature vector as energy conjugate to the couple stresses. This new variational formulation provides a base for developing a couple-stress finite element approach. By considering the total potential energy functional to be not only a function of displacement, but of an independent rotation as well, we avoid the necessity to maintain C¹ continuity in the finite element method that we develop here. The result is a mixed formulation, which uses Lagrange multipliers to constrain the rotation field to be compatible with the displacement field. Interestingly, this formulation has the noteworthy advantage that the Lagrange multipliers can be shown to be equal to the skew-symmetric part of the force-stress, which otherwise would be cumbersome to calculate. Creating a new consistent couple-stress finite element formulation from this variational principle is then a matter of discretizing the variational statement and using appropriate mixed isoparametric elements to represent the domain of interest. Finally, problems of a hole in a plate with finite dimensions, the planar deformation of a ring, and the transverse deflection of a cantilever are explored using this finite element formulation to show some of the interesting effects of couple stress. Where possible, results are compared to existing solutions to validate the formulation developed here.     

Flow‐induced vibrations of non‐linear cables. Part 1: Models and algorithms

In this paper, we develop governing equations for non‐linear cables as well as a formulation for the coupled flow‐structure problem. The structure is discretized with second‐order accuracy while the flow is discretized using spectral/hp elements in the context of the arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian formulation (ALE). Several benchmark problems are considered and the computational implementation is detailed. In the second part of this work large‐scale simulation examples are presented. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A class of preconditioned conjugate gradient methods for the solution of a mixed finite element discretization of the biharmonic operator

The homogeneous Dirichlet problem for the biharmonic operator is solved as the variational formulation of two coupled second-order equations. The discretization by a mixed finite element model results in a set of linear equations whose coefficient matrix is sparse, symmetric but indefinite. We describe a class of preconditioned conjugate gradient methods for the numerical solution of this linear system. The precondition matrices correspond to incomplete factorizations of the coefficient matrix. The numerical results show a low computational complexity in both number of computer operations and demand of storage.     

An adaptive fixed mesh method for modelling and simulating of unsteady two‐phase flows with sharp physical interfaces

We present in this paper a new computational method for simulation of two‐phase flow problems with moving boundaries and sharp physical interfaces. An adaptive interface‐capturing technique (ICT) of the Eulerian type is developed for capturing the motion of the interfaces (free surfaces) in an unsteady flow state. The adaptive method is mainly based on the relative boundary conditions of the zero pressure head, at which the interface is corresponding to a free surface boundary. The definition of the free surface boundary condition is used as a marker for identifying the position of the interface (free surface) in the two‐phase flow problems. An initial‐value‐problem (IVP) partial differential equation (PDE) is derived from the dynamic conditions of the interface, and it is designed to govern the motion of the interface in time. In this adaptive technique, the Navier–Stokes equations written for two incompressible fluids together with the IVP are solved numerically over the flow domain. An adaptive mass conservation algorithm is constructed to govern the continuum of the fluid. The finite element method (FEM) is used for the spatial discretization and a fully coupled implicit time integration method is applied for the advancement in time. FE‐stabilization techniques are added to the standard formulation of the discretization, which possess good stability and accuracy properties for the numerical solution. The adaptive technique is tested in simulation of some numerical examples. With the test problems presented here, we demonstrated that the adaptive technique is a simple tool for modelling and computation of complex motion of sharp physical interfaces in convection–advection‐dominated flow problems. We also demonstrated that the IVP and the evolution of the interface function are coupled explicitly and implicitly to the system of the computed unknowns in the flow domain. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Least squares finite element analysis of laminar boundary layer flows

Based on the least squares error criterion, a class of finite element is formulated for the numerical analysis of steady state viscous boundary layer flow problems. The method is essentially a discrete element-wise minimization of square and weighted residuals which arise from the attempts in approximately satisfying boundary layer equations. An iterative linearization scheme is developed to circumvent the mathematical difficulties posed by the non-linear boundary layer equations. It results in a process of successive least squares minimizations of residual errors arising from satisfying a set of linear differential equations. A mathematical justification for the method is presented. A major feature of the method lies in the linearization approach which renders non-linear differential equations amenable to linear least squares finite element analysis. Another important feature rests on the proposed finite element formulation which preserves the symmetric nature of finite element matrix equations through the use of the least squares error criterion. Numerical examples of viscous flow along a flat plate are presented to demonstrate the applicability of the method as well as to illuminate discussions on the theoretical aspects of the method.     

A new boundary-type finite element for 2-D- and 3-D-elastic structures

In this paper we discuss the theoretical and numerical formulation of 3-D Trefitz elements. Starting from the variational principle with the so-called hybrid stress method, the trial functions for the stresses have to fulfil the Beltrami equations, which means also the compatibility equations for the strains. The divergence theorem can be applied, and one arrives at a pure boundary formulation in the sense of the Trefftz method. Besides the resulting variational formulation, different regularizations of the interelement conditions are investigated by numerical tests. Two examples show the numerical efficiency of the derived elements. First, a geometric linear 3-D example is presented to show the effects on distorted element meshes. The third example shows the geometrically non-linear analysis of a shallow cylindrical shell segment under a singe load.     

Efficient least squares finite elements for two-dimensional laminar boundary layer analysis

This paper presents the formulations of essentially one-dimensional least squares and Galerkin-least squares finite elements for the numerical solution of two-dimensional laminar boundary layer equations. An iterative technique to cope with the non-linearity of the boundary layer equations, in conjunction with the least squares finite element method, is proposed. Through exhaustive numerical investigations in the retarded flow over a plate, flow past a circular cylinder, the flow past an elliptic cylinder, the accuracy and applicability of the proposed method are demonstrated.     

A rate-dependent incremental variational formulation of ferroelectricity

This paper presents a variational-based modeling and computational implementation of the non-linear, rate-dependent response of piezoceramics under electro-mechanical loading. The point of departure is a general internal variable formulation that describes the hysteretic electro-mechanical response of the material as a standard dissipative solid. Consistent with this type of dissipative continua, we develop a variational formulation of the coupled electro-mechanical boundary-value-problem based on incremental potentials for the stresses and the electric displacement. We specify the variational formulation to a model that describes time-dependent, electric polarizations accompanied by remanent strains. It is governed by a dual dissipation function formulated in terms of the internal driving forces. The model reproduces experimentally observed dielectric and butterfly hystereses, which are characteristic for ferroelectric materials. It accounts for the rate-dependency of the hystereses and the macroscopically non-uniform distribution of the polarization in the solid. An important aspect of our treatment is the numerical implementation of the coupled problem. The monolithic discretization of the two-field problem appears, as a consequence of the proposed variational principle, in a symmetric format. The performance of the proposed methods is demonstrated by means of a spectrum of benchmark problems.     

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.