A mixed-variable continuously deforming finite element method for parabolic evolution problems. Part I: The variational formulation for a single evolution equation

The objective of the research presented here was to develop a generic adaptive computational method for porous media evolution problems that involve coupled heat flow, fluid flow and species transport processes with sharply defined phase-change interfaces. In this paper we examine the general least squares variational approach and develop the conceptual framework for a rate least squares variational formulation of a continuously deforming mixed variable finite element method for solving highly non-linear time-dependent partial differential equations. In Part II of this paper¹ we extend the formulation given here for a single evolution equation to a system of coupled evolution equations. In Part III² we discuss in detail the numerical procedures that were implemented in a computer program and present several numerical examples that demonstrate the performance of this computational method.     

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.     

A deforming finite element method analysis of inverse Stefan problems

A deforming FEM (DFEM) analysis of one-dimensional inverse Stefan problems is presented. Specifically, the problem of calculating the position and velocity of the moving interface from the temperature measurements of two or more sensors located inside the solid phase is addressed. Since the interface velocity is considered to be the primary variable of the problem, the DFEM formulation is found to have many advantages over other traditional front tracking methods. The present inverse formulation is based on a minimization of the error between the calculated and measured temperatures, utilizing future temperature data to calculate current values of the unknown parameters. Also, the use of regularization is found to be useful in obtaining more accurate results, especially when the interface is located far away from the sensors. The method is illustrated with several examples. The effects of the location of the sensors, of the error in the sensor measurements and of several computational parameters were examined.     

A semi-analytic boundary element method for parabolic problems

A new semi-analytic solution method is proposed for solving linear parabolic problems using the boundary element method. This method constructs a solution as an eigenfunction expansion using separation of variables. The eigenfunctions are determined using the dual reciprocity boundary element method. This separation of variables-dual reciprocity method (SOV-DRM) allows a solution to be determined without requiring either time-stepping or domain discretisation. The accuracy and computational efficiency of the SOV-DRM is found to improve as time increases. These properties make the SOV-DRM an attractive technique for solving parabolic problems.     

A finite element method for non-self-adjoint problems

This paper presents a general theory and application of the finite element method for some special class of non-self-adjoint problems. The formulation employed here is based on the Galerkin method for linear boundary value and eigenvalue problems described by the partial differential equations of elliptic type, and it can be regarded as an extension of the usual displacement method formulated by the use of the principle of minimum potential energy. In order to illustrate its validity and feasibility, the method is applied to the problems of the two-group neutron diffusion equations and of the stability of a non-conservative system.     

A fast implementation of explicit time-stepping algorithms with the finite element method for a class of nonlinear evolution problems

In this paper a class of nonlinear evolution problems is considered. It is shown that, under special conditions, the application of the product approximation method for nonlinear problems in the finite element method results in constant (i.e. time-independent) matrices. In those cases the amount of computing required to solve these equations with an explicit time-stepping algorithm is decreased considerably compared to the standard Galerkin formulation in which the matrices are time-dependent. The method is applied to two practical two-dimensional problems: the shallow water equations and a nonlinear heat conduction problem.     

A computational method for frictional contact problem using finite element method

Using the finite element method a numerical procedure is developed for the solution of the two-dimensional frictional contact problems with Coulomb's law of friction. The formulation for this procedure is reduced to a complementarity problem. The contact region is separated into stick and slip regions and the contact stress can be solved systematically by applying the solution technique of the complementarity problem. Several examples are given to demonstrate the validity of the present formulation.     

A finite element method for stability problems in finite elasticity

In this paper a finite element method is developed to treat stability problems in finite elasticity. For this purpose the constitutive equations are formulated in principal stretches which allows a general representation of the derivatives of the strain energy function with respect to the principal stretches. These results can then be used to derive an efficient numerical scheme for the computation of singular points.     

A stochastic finite element method for real eigenvalue problems

A stochastic finite element method (SFEM) based on local averages of a random vector field is developed for both distinct and repeated eigenvalues. Formulae for the variances and covariances of the eigenvalues and eigenvectors are derived. It is shown in a numerical example that, as the number of elements increases, solutions obtained from the present SFEM formulation converge much faster than those obtained from the SFEM formulation based on mid-point discretization.     

A mixed finite element method for beam and frame problems

 In this work we consider solutions for the Euler-Bernoulli and Timoshenko theories of beams in which material behavior may be elastic or inelastic. The formulation relies on the integration of the local constitutive equation over the beam cross section to develop the relations for beam resultants. For this case we include axial, bending and shear effects. This permits consideration in a direct manner of elastic and inelastic behavior with or without shear deformation. A finite element solution method is presented from a three-field variational form based on an extension of the Hu–Washizu principle to permit inelastic material behavior. The approximation for beams uses equilibrium satisfying axial force and bending moments in each element combined with discontinuous strain approximations. Shear forces are computed as derivative of bending moment and, thus, also satisfy equilibrium. For quasi-static applications no interpolation is needed for the displacement fields, these are merely expressed in terms of nodal values. The development results in a straight forward, variationally consistent formulation which shares all the properties of so-called flexibility methods. Moreover, the approach leads to a shear deformable formulation which is free of locking effects – identical to the behavior of flexibility based elements. The advantages of the approach are illustrated with a few numerical examples. Dedicated to the memory of Prof. Mike Crisfield, for his cheerfulness and cooperation as a colleague and friend over many years.     

Continuously deforming finite elements for the solution of parabolic problems,with and without phase change

A number of transport problems are complicated by the presence of physically important transition zones where quantities exhibit steep gradients and special numerical care is required. When the location of such a transition zone changes as the solution evolves through time, use of a deforming numerical mesh is appropriate in order to preserve the proper numerical features both within the transition zone and at its boundaries. A general finite element solution method is described wherein the elements are allowed to deform continuously, and the effects of this deformation are accounted for exactly. The method is based on the Galerkin approximation in space, and uses finite difference approximations for the time derivatives. In the absence of element deformation, the method reduces to the conventional Galerkin formulation. The method is applied to the two-phase Stefan problem associated with the melting and solidification of A substance. The interface between the solid and liquid phase form an internal moving boundary, and latent heat effects are accounted for in the associated boundary condition. By allowing continuous mesh deformation, as dictated by this boundary condition, the moving boundary always lies on element boundaries. This circumvents the difficulties inherent in interpolation of parameters and dependent variables across regions where those quantities change abruptly. Basis functions based on Hermite polynomials are used, to allow exact specification of the flux-latent heat balance condition at the phase boundary. Analytic solutions for special cases provide tests of the method.     

A gradient computational procedure for the solution of large problems arising from the finite element discretization method

A computational procedure based on gradient iterative techniques is proposed for the solution of large problems to which the finite element method is applicable. In linear problems the procedure can be used either for solving the set of algebraic equations or for the complete inversion of the matrix of coefficients. Special attention is focused on the practical aspects of the procedure concerning its realization on the digital computer.     

A computational investigation and smooth-shaped defect synthesis for eddy current testing problems using the subregion finite element method

Eddy Current Testing (ECT) plays a key role in detecting cracks and defects in conductors. The present study examines for the first time how the subregion method as an effective mathematical and computational technique can be admixed with Finite Element Method (FEM) to study multiple defects parameters for ECT issues. Separating a defect region from the entire domain in any computational technique will save both time and storage space. Examples of different types of defects are presented in this article . A tangible result of processing time reduction by 90% has been achieved which has led us to consider the subregion FEM method as an effective method in solving different Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) problems. An agreement between our results and others using classical FEM has been achieved which could lead to using this technique in online and field testing problems. The presented subregion FEM algorithm was verified experimentally with good agreement by testing Aluminum (T6061-T6) samples with defects. A Tunneling Magnetoresistive (TMR) sensor was used to measure the component of the magnetic field from normal to the sample top surface. A major component of minimizing processing time was achieved, which could lead to using this technique in online and field testing problems.     

Formulation of the plastic source method for plane inelastic problems Part 2: Numerical implementation for elastoplastic problems

Summary In Part 1 of this paper, Green's function representation for the residual stress, arising from any plane inelastic strain distribution under no applied load, has been given. In Part 2 (i.e., the current paper) we focus our attention to the plastic strain arising in plane elastoplastic problems subject to applied loads. A numerical procedure, based on the Green's function approach, to determine the unknown plastic strain distribution under the applied load is established. The numerical result for an elastoplastic steady crack growth problem demonstrates, overwhelmingly, the advantage of the proposed method over the finite element method approach for the same problem.With 5 FiguresThis paper is dedicated to the memory of Aris Phillips, founding Co-Editor of Acta Mechanica, and was presented at the Aris Phillips Memorial-Symposium, Gainesville, Fla., 1987.     

An implementation of the hp-version of the finite element method for Reissner-Mindlin plate problems

Reissner-Mindlin plate theory is still a topic of research in finite element analysis. One reason for the continuous development of new plate elements is that it is still difficult to construct elements which are accurate and stable against the well-known shear locking effect. In this paper we suggest an approach which allows high order polynomial degrees of the shape functions for deflection and rotations. A balanced adaptive mesh-refinement and increase of the polynomial degree in an hp-version finite element program is presented and it is shown in numerical examples that the results are highly accurate and that high order elements show virtually no shear locking even for very small plate thickness.     

A finite element method for block adjustment problems of photogrammetry

It is shown that the finite element method can be used advantageously in generating the normal equations of a given photogrammetric network for block adjustments. In this method aerial (or spatial) photographs of a block are processed one at a time, in any random order, to generate the portion of the coefficient matrix between the main diagonal and the variable band and the right hand vector of the normal equations, related with the adjustments to the control points. Any known information related with the adjustments may be imposed, and an internal control point relabelling scheme may be used during the assembly process, in order to minimize the actual computer storage area and the solution time requirements. The paper shows the analogies between the linear equilibrium problems of structural mechanics, and the block adjustment problems of photogrammetry, in order to enable the students of both fields to use the same computer software. In this context, plate-point adjustment matrices and plate-point load vectors for the adjustment problem (corresponding to the element stiffness matrices and the element load vectors of equilibrium problems) are defined and explicit expressions are given.     

A finite element solution method for contact problems with friction

A new finite element solution method for the analysis of frictional contact problems is presented. The contact problem is solved by imposing geometric constraints on the pseudo equilibrium configuration, defined as a configuration at which the compatibility conditions are violated. The algorithm does not require any a priori knowledge of the pairs of contactor nodes or segments. The contact condition of sticking, slipping, rolling or tension release is determined from the relative magnitudes of the normal and tangential global nodal forces. Contact iterations are in general found to converge within one or two iterations. The analysis method is applied to selected problems to illustrate the applicability of the solution procedure.     

A finite element collocation method for the exact control of a parabolic problem

A finite element method is given for the problem of exact control of a linear parabolic equation. The basis functions consist of piecewise bicubic polynomials and the differential equation is satisfied at Gaussian collocation points within each element. The overdetermined system of equations obtained is solved by the method of least squares, and a convergence argument is given for the complete procedure. Numerical results are given for two problems of boundary control.     

Fixed-point iteration to nonlinear finite element analysis. Part II: Formulation and implementation

The finite element formulation and implementation of the Fixed-Point Iteration (FPI) to linear/nonlinear structural static or dynamic analysis are developed. The direct and tangent formulations are presented and compared with the Newton–Raphson method (NRM). ‘Modified’ FPI algorithms have also been derived. A graphical interpretation of the method is introduced and suggested to call the FPI ‘the Saw method’. Mixing both the FPI and NRM is shown to be possible and may be useful in some applications. The overall strategies, iterative algorithms, and the appropriate norm convergence criteria necessary to implant the FPI into existing finite element programs are also included in the development. The superiority of the FPI over the NRM as seen from the development and the formulation lies in three major factors. First, the existing assembly process of element matrices is eliminated completely from the nonlinear finite element analysis. Secondly, the Gauss elimination or Crout's method is also eliminated. In the finite element terminology, this means that nonlinear structural static or dynamic responses can he obtained without recourse to the inverse of the structural stiffness matrix. Thirdly, the FPI can also be applied equally to linear structural analysis. Hence, the assembly process and the programming and storage associated with it can be removed from the existing finite element programs. While the FPI can solve problems that the NRM can, it will also be able to handle some engineering problems where the latter cannot. Buckling problems and problems where the force–displacement curve changes curvature are examples where the FPI is expected to be efficient.