The least‐squares meshfree method

A new efficient meshfree method is presented in which the first‐order least‐squares method is employed instead of the Galerkin's method. In the meshfree methods based on the Galerkin formulation, the source of many difficulties is in the numerical integration. The current method, in this respect, has different characteristics and is expected to remove some of the integration‐related problems. It is demonstrated through numerical examples that the present formulation is highly robust to integration errors. Therefore, numerical integration can be performed with great ease and effectiveness using very simple algorithms. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A study on the convergence of least‐squares meshfree method under inaccurate integration

In the authors' previous work, it has been shown through numerical examples that the least‐squares meshfree method (LSMFM) is highly robust to the integration errors while the Galerkin meshfree method is very sensitive to them. A mathematical study on the convergence of the solution of LSMFM under inaccurate integration is presented. New measures are introduced to take into account the integration errors in the error estimates. It is shown that, in LSMFM, solution errors are bounded by approximation errors even when integration is not accurate. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The least‐squares meshfree method for elasto‐plasticity and its application to metal forming analysis

A new meshfree method for the analysis of elasto‐plastic deformation is presented. The method is based on the proposed first‐order least‐squares formulation for elasto‐plasticity and the moving least‐squares approximation. The least‐squares formulation for classical elasto‐plasticity and its extension to an incrementally objective formulation for finite deformation are proposed. In the formulation, equilibrium equation and flow rule are enforced in least‐squares sense, i.e. their squared residuals are minimized, and hardening law and loading/unloading condition are enforced pointwise at each integration point. The closest point projection method for the integration of rate‐form constitutive equation is inherently involved in the formulation, and thus the radial‐return mapping algorithm is not performed explicitly. The proposed formulation is a mixed‐type method since the residuals are represented in a form of first‐order differential system using displacement and stress components as nodal unknowns. Also the penalty schemes for the enforcement of boundary and frictional contact conditions are devised and the reshaping of nodal supports is introduced to avoid the difficulties due to the severe local deformation near contact interface. The proposed method does not employ structure of extrinsic cells for any purpose. Through some numerical examples of metal forming processes, the validity and effectiveness of the method are discussed. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A posteriori error estimates of mixed methods for miscible displacement problems

The miscible displacement of one incompressible fluid by another in a porous medium is governed by a system of two equations. One is an elliptic equation of the pressure and the other is a parabolic equation of the concentration of one of the fluids. Since the pressure appears in the concentration only through its velocity field, we choose a mixed finite element method to approximate the pressure equation and for the concentration we use the standard Galerkin method. We shall obtain an explicit a posteriori error estimator in L²(L²) for the semi‐discrete scheme applied to the non‐linear coupled system. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Complex variable moving least‐squares method: a meshless approximation technique

Based on the moving least‐squares (MLS) approximation, we propose a new approximation method—the complex variable moving least‐squares (CVMLS) approximation. With the CVMLS approximation, the trial function of a two‐dimensional problem is formed with a one‐dimensional basis function. The number of unknown coefficients in the trial function of the CVMLS approximation is less than in the trial function of the MLS approximation, and we can thus select fewer nodes in the meshless method that is formed from the CVMLS approximation than are required in the meshless method of the MLS approximation with no loss of precision. The meshless method that is derived from the CVMLS approximation also has a greater computational efficiency. From the CVMLS approximation, we propose a new meshless method for two‐dimensional elasticity problems—the complex variable meshless method (CVMM)—and the formulae of the CVMM for two‐dimensional elasticity problems are obtained. Compared with the conventional meshless method, the CVMM has a greater precision and computational efficiency. For the purposes of demonstration, some selected numerical examples are solved using the CVMM. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A posteriori error approximation in EFG method

Recently, considerable effort has been devoted to the development of the so‐called meshless methods. Meshless methods still require considerable improvement before they equal the prominence of finite elements in computer science and engineering. One of the paths in the evolution of meshless methods has been the development of the element free Galerkin (EFG) method. In the EFG method, it is obviously important that the ‘a posteriori error’ should be approximated. An ‘a posteriori error’ approximation based on the moving least‐squares method is proposed, using the solution, computed from the EFG method. The error approximation procedure proposed in this paper is simple to construct and requires, at most, nearest neighbour information from the EFG solution. The formulation is based on employing different moving least‐squares approximations. Different selection strategies of the moving least‐squares approximations have been used and compared, to obtain optimum values of the parameters involved in the approximation of the error. The performance of the developed approximation of the error is illustrated by analysing different examples for two‐dimensional (2D) potential and elasticity problems, using regular and irregular clouds of points. The implemented procedure of error approximation allows the global energy norm error to be estimated and also provides a good evaluation of local errors. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A posteriori error estimates for numerical solutions to inverse problems of elastography

The article deals with one of inverse problems of elastography: knowing displacement of compressed tissue finds the distribution of Young’s modulus in the investigated specimen. The direct problem is approximated and solved by the finite element method. The inverse problem can be stated in different ways depending on whether the solution to be found is smooth or discontinuous. Tikhonov regularization with appropriate regularizing functionals is applied to solve these problems. In particular, discontinuous Young’s modulus distribution can be found on the class of 2D functions with bounded variation of Hardy–Krause type. It is shown in the paper that a variant of Tikhonov regularization provides for such discontinuous distributions the so-called piecewise uniform convergence of approximate solutions as the error levels of the data vanish. The problem of practical a posteriori estimation of the accuracy for obtained approximate solutions is under consideration as well. A method of such estimation is presented. As illustrations, model inverse problems with smooth and discontinuous solutions are solved along with a posteriori estimations of the accuracy.     

A posteriori estimation and adaptive control of the pollution error in the h-version of the finite element method

In References 1 and 2 we showed that the error in the finite-element solution has two parts, the local error and the pollution error, and we studied the effect of the pollution error on the quality of the local error-indicators and the quality of the derivatives recovered by local post-processing. Here we show that it is possible to construct a posteriori estimates of the pollution error in any patch of elements by employing the local error-indicators over the mesh outside the patch. We also give an algorithm for the adaptive control of the pollution error in any patch of elements of interest.     

Least‐squares collocation meshless method

A finite point method, least‐squares collocation meshless method, is proposed. Except for the collocation points which are used to construct the trial functions, a number of auxiliary points are also adopted. Unlike the direct collocation method, the equilibrium conditions are satisfied not only at the collocation points but also at the auxiliary points in a least‐squares sense. The moving least‐squares interpolant is used to construct the trial functions. The computational effort required for the present method is in the same order as that required for the direct collocation, while the present method improves the accuracy of solution significantly. The proposed method does not require any mesh so that it is a truly meshless method. Three numerical examples are studied in detail, which show that the proposed method possesses high accuracy with low computational effort. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An improved moving‐least‐squares reconstruction for immersed boundary method

The current work presents an improved immersed boundary method based on the ideas proposed by Vanella and Balaras (M. Vanella, E. Balaras, A moving‐least‐squares reconstruction for embedded‐boundary formulations, J. Comput. Phys. 228 (2009) 6617–6628). In the method, an improved moving‐least‐squares approximation is employed to build the transfer functions between the Lagrangian points and discrete Eulerian grid points. The main advantage of the improved method is that there is no need to obtain the inverse matrix, which effectively eliminates numerical instabilities caused by matrix inversion and reduces the computational cost significantly. Several different flow problems (Taylor‐Green decaying vortices, flows past a stationary circular cylinder and a sphere, and the sedimentation of a free‐falling sphere in viscous fluid) are simulated to validate the accuracy and efficiency of the method proposed in the present paper. The simulation results show good agreement with previous numerical and experimental results, indicating that the improved immersed boundary method is efficient and reliable in dealing with the fluid–solid interaction problems. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Moving least‐squares particle hydrodynamics II: conservation and boundaries

Previous work by the author has shown that the consistency of the SPH method can be improved to acceptable levels by substituting MLS interpolants for SPH interpolants, that the SPH inconsistency drives the tension instability and that imposition of consistency via MLS severely retards tension instability growth. The new method however was not conservative, and made no provision for boundary conditions. Conservation is an essential property in simulations where large localized mass, momentum or energy transfer occurs such as high‐velocity impact or explosion modeling. A new locally conservative MLS variant of SPH that naturally incorporates realistic boundary conditions is described. In order to provide for the boundary fluxes one must identify the boundary particles. A new, purely geometric boundary detection technique for assemblies of spherical particles is described. A comparison with SPH on a ball‐and‐plate impact simulation shows qualitative improvement. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Moving least‐squares approximation with discontinuous derivative basis functions for shell structures with slope discontinuities

Moving least‐squares approximation with discontinuous derivative basis functions (MLSA‐DBF) is introduced for analysis of shell structures with slope discontinuities. To deal with shells with arbitrary slope discontinuities, the Cartesian coordinate is introduced in the construction of MLSA on the shell surface. The possible causes of singularity in the moment matrix of MLSA on the shell surface with slope discontinuities are identified, and the Moore–Penrose pseudoinverse is used to obtain the generalized inverse of the singular moment matrix resulting from linear dependency and insufficient influence nodes in the MLSA. Following the proposed formulations for shear deformable shell structures with slope discontinuities in the Cartesian coordinates, several numerical examples are analyzed to demonstrate the performance, validity, accuracy, and convergence properties of the proposed MLSA‐DBF approach. Copyright © 2007 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.     

A posteriori error estimates and adaptivity for finite element solutions in finite elasticity

Methods for a posteriori error estimation for finite element solutions are well established and widely used in engineering practice for linear boundary value problems. In contrast here we are concerned with finite elasticity and error estimation and adaptivity in this context. In the paper a brief outline of continuum theory of finite elasticity is first given. Using the residuals in the equilibrium conditions the discretization error of the finite element solution is estimated both locally and globally. The proposed error estimator is physically interpreted in the energy sense. We then present and discuss the convergence behaviour of the discretization error in uniformly and adaptively refined finite element sequences.     

A posteriori analysis and adaptive error control for operator decomposition solution of coupled semilinear elliptic systems

In this paper, we develop an a posteriori error analysis for operator decomposition iteration methods applied to systems of coupled semilinear elliptic problems. The goal is to compute accurate error estimates that account for the combined effects arising from numerical approximation (discretization) and operator decomposition iteration. In an earlier paper, we considered ‘triangular’ systems that can be solved without iteration. In contrast, operator decomposition iterative methods for fully coupled systems involve an iterative solution technique. We construct an error estimate for the numerical approximation error that specifically addresses the propagation of error between iterates and provide a computable estimate for the iteration error arising because of the decomposition of the operator. Finally, we develop an adaptive discretization strategy to systematically reduce the discretization error.Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An adaptive non‐conforming finite‐element method for Reissner–Mindlin plates

Adaptive algorithms are important tools for efficient finite‐element mesh design. In this paper, an error controlled adaptive mesh‐refining algorithm is proposed for a non‐conforming low‐order finite‐element method for the Reissner–Mindlin plate model. The algorithm is controlled by a reliable and efficient residual‐based a posteriori error estimate, which is robust with respect to the plate's thickness. Numerical evidence for this and the efficiency of the new algorithm is provided in the sense that non‐optimal convergence rates are optimally improved in our numerical experiments. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Space–time meshfree collocation method: Methodology and application to initial‐boundary value problems

A novel space–time meshfree collocation method (STMCM) for solving systems of non‐linear ordinary and partial differential equations by a consistent discretization in both space and time is proposed as an alternative to established mesh‐based methods. The STMCM belongs to the class of truly meshfree methods, i.e. the methods that do not have any underlying mesh, but work on a set of nodes only without any a priori node‐to‐node connectivity. Instead, the neighbouring information is established on‐the‐fly. The STMCM is constructed using the Interpolating Moving Least‐squares technique, which allows a simplified implementation of boundary conditions due to fulfillment of the Kronecker delta property by the kernel functions, which is not the case for the major part of other meshfree methods. The method is validated by several examples ranging from interpolation problems to the solution of PDEs, whereas the STMCM solutions are compared with either analytical or reference ones. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Validation of the a posteriori error estimator based on polynomial preserving recovery for linear elements

The purpose of this work is to investigate the quality of the a posteriori error estimator based on the polynomial preserving recovery (PPR). The main tool in this investigation is the computer‐based theory. Also, a comparison is made between this estimator and the one based on the superconvergence patch recovery (SPR). The results of this comparison were found to be in favour of the estimator based on the PPR. Copyright © 2004 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 posteriori error estimator and an adaptive technique in meshless finite points method

In this work, an adaptive technique for application of meshless methods in one- and two-dimensional boundary value problems is described. The proposed method is based on the use of implicit functions for the geometry definition, fixed weighted least squares approximation and an error estimation by means of simple formulas and a robust strategy of refinement based on the own nature of the approximation sub-domains utilised. With all these aspects, the proposed method becomes an attractive alternative for the adaptive solutions to partial differential equations in all scopes of engineering. Numerical results obtained from the computational implementation show the efficiency of the present method.