Solving linear and non‐linear space–time fractional reaction–diffusion equations by the Adomian decomposition method

In this paper, we consider linear and non‐linear space–time fractional reaction–diffusion equations (STFRDE) on a finite domain. The equations are obtained from standard reaction–diffusion equations by replacing a second‐order space derivative by a fractional derivative of order β∈(1, 2], and a first‐order time derivative by a fractional derivative of order α∈(0, 1]. We use the Adomian decomposition method to construct explicit solutions of the linear and non‐linear STFRDE. Finally, some examples are given. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Arbitrary discontinuities in space–time finite elements by level sets and X‐FEM

An enriched finite element method with arbitrary discontinuities in space–time is presented. The discontinuities are treated by the extended finite element method (X‐FEM), which uses a local partition of unity enrichment to introduce discontinuities along a moving hyper‐surface which is described by level sets. A space–time weak form for conservation laws is developed where the Rankine–Hugoniot jump conditions are natural conditions of the weak form. The method is illustrated in the solution of first order hyperbolic equations and applied to linear first order wave and non‐linear Burgers' equations. By capturing the discontinuity in time as well as space, results are improved over capturing the discontinuity in space alone and the method is remarkably accurate. Implications to standard semi‐discretization X‐FEM formulations are also discussed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Non‐linear dynamic analyses by meshless local Petrov–Galerkin formulations

In this work, meshless methods based on the local Petrov–Galerkin approach are proposed for the solution of dynamic problems considering elastic and elastoplastic materials. Formulations adopting the Heaviside step function and the Gaussian weight function as the test functions in the local weak form are considered. The moving least‐square method is used for the approximation of physical quantities in the local integral equations. After spatial discretization is carried out, a non‐linear system of ordinary differential equations of second order is obtained. This system is solved by Newmark/Newton–Raphson techniques. At the end of the paper numerical results are presented, illustrating the potentialities of the proposed methodologies. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fast exact linear and non‐linear structural reanalysis and the Sherman–Morrison–Woodbury formulas

Several exact fast static structural reanalysis techniques, introduced by researchers mostly for truss structures and some for frames and plate structures, are reviewed. Most utilize the property that the solution of a system of linear equations can be updated inexpensively when the matrix is changed by a low‐rank increment. This paper shows that these methods are variants of the well‐known Sherman–Morrison and Woodbury (SMW) formulas for the update of the inverse of a matrix. In addition, the paper extends the low‐cost linear reanalysis in the spirit of the SMW formulas to some non‐linear reanalysis problems. For a linear reanalysis, the extension reduces to the SMW formulas. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Numerical solution of non‐linear Klein–Gordon equations by variational iteration method

In this paper, numerical solution of non‐linear Klein–Gordon equations with power law non‐linearities are obtained by the new application of He's variational iteration method. Numerical illustrations that include non‐linear Klein–Gordon equations and non‐linear partial differential equations are investigated to show the pertinent features of the technique. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The enriched space–time finite element method (EST) for simultaneous solution of fluid–structure interaction

The paper introduces a weighted residual‐based approach for the numerical investigation of the interaction of fluid flow and thin flexible structures. The presented method enables one to treat strongly coupled systems involving large structural motion and deformation of multiple‐flow‐immersed solid objects. The fluid flow is described by the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations. The current configuration of the thin structure of linear elastic material with non‐linear kinematics is mapped to the flow using the zero iso‐contour of an updated level set function. The formulation of fluid, structure and coupling conditions uniformly uses velocities as unknowns. The integration of the weak form is performed on a space–time finite element discretization of the domain. Interfacial constraints of the multi‐field problem are ensured by distributed Lagrange multipliers. The proposed formulation and discretization techniques lead to a monolithic algebraic system, well suited for strongly coupled fluid–structure systems. Embedding a thin structure into a flow results in non‐smooth fields for the fluid. Based on the concept of the extended finite element method, the space–time approximations of fluid pressure and velocity are properly enriched to capture weakly and strongly discontinuous solutions. This leads to the present enriched space–time (EST) method. Numerical examples of fluid–structure interaction show the eligibility of the developed numerical approach in order to describe the behavior of such coupled systems. The test cases demonstrate the application of the proposed technique to problems where mesh moving strategies often fail. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A finite difference solution of non‐linear systems of radiative–conductive heat transfer equations

A finite difference solution for a system of non‐linear integro–differential equations modelling the steady‐state combined radiative–conductive heat transfer is proposed. A new backward–forward finite difference scheme is formulated for the Radiative Transfer Equation. The non‐linear heat conduction equation is solved using the Kirchhoff transformation associated with a centred finite difference scheme. The coupled system of equations is solved using a fixed‐point method, which relates to the temperature field. An application on a real insulator composed of silica fibres is illustrated. The results show that the method is very efficient. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sensitivity analysis and design optimization of three‐dimensional non‐linear aeroelastic systems by the adjoint method

We consider the problem of optimizing a non‐linear aeroelastic system in steady‐state conditions, where the structure is represented by a detailed finite element model, and the aerodynamic loads are predicted by the discretization of the non‐linear Euler equations. We present a solution method for this problem that is based on the three‐field formulation of fluid–structure interaction problems, and the adjoint approach for coupled sensitivity analysis. We discuss the computational complexity of the proposed solution method, describe its implementation on parallel processors, and illustrate its computational efficiency with the aeroelastic optimization of various wings. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Truncation error and stability analysis of iterative and non‐iterative Thomas–Gladwell methods for first‐order non‐linear differential equations

The consistency and stability of a Thomas–Gladwell family of multistage time‐stepping schemes for the solution of first‐order non‐linear differential equations are examined. It is shown that the consistency and stability conditions are less stringent than those derived for second‐order governing equations. Second‐order accuracy is achieved by approximating the solution and its derivative at the same location within the time step. Useful flexibility is available in the evaluation of the non‐linear coefficients and is exploited to develop a new non‐iterative modification of the Thomas–Gladwell method that is second‐order accurate and unconditionally stable. A case study from applied hydrogeology using the non‐linear Richards equation confirms the analytic convergence assessment and demonstrates the efficiency of the non‐iterative formulation. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A dual‐primal FETI method for solving a class of fluid–structure interaction problems in the frequency domain

The dual‐primal finite element tearing and interconnecting method (FETI‐DP) is extended to systems of linear equations arising from a finite element discretization for a class of fluid–structure interaction problems in the frequency domain. A preconditioned generalized minimal residual method is used to solve the linear equations for the Lagrange multipliers introduced on the subdomain boundaries to enforce continuity of the solution. The coupling between the fluid and the structure on the fluid–structure interface requires an appropriate choice of coarse level degrees of freedom in the FETI‐DP algorithm to achieve fast convergence. Several choices are proposed and tested by numerical experiments on three‐dimensional fluid–structure interaction problems in the mid‐frequency regime that demonstrate the greatly improved performance of the proposed algorithm over the standard FETI‐DP method. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Non‐linear analysis of thin‐walled members of open cross‐section

The paper presents a means of determining the non‐linear stiffness matrices from expressions for the first and second variation of the Total Potential of a thin‐walled open section finite element that lead to non‐linear stiffness equations. These non‐linear equations can be solved for moderate to large displacements. The variations of the Total Potential have been developed elsewhere by the authors, and their contribution to the various non‐linear matrices is stated herein. It is shown that the method of solution of the non‐linear stiffness matrices is problem dependent. The finite element procedure is used to study non‐linear torsion that illustrates torsional hardening, and the Newton–Raphson method is deployed for this study. However, it is shown that this solution strategy is unsuitable for the second example, namely that of the post‐buckling response of a cantilever, and a direct iteration method is described. The good agreement for both of these problems with the work of independent researchers validates the non‐linear finite element method of analysis. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stabilized finite element method for viscoplastic flow: formulation with state variable evolution

A stabilized, mixed finite element formulation for modelling viscoplastic flow, which can be used to model approximately steady‐state metal‐forming processes, is presented. The mixed formulation is expressed in terms of the velocity, pressure and state variable fields, where the state variable is used to describe the evolution of the material's resistance to plastic flow. The resulting system of equations has two sources of well‐known instabilities, one due to the incompressibility constraint and one due to the convection‐type state variable equation. Both of these instabilities are handled by adding mesh‐dependent stabilization terms, which are functions of the Euler–Lagrange equations, to the usual Galerkin method. Linearization of the weak form is derived to enable a Newton–Raphson implementation into an object‐oriented finite element framework. A progressive solution strategy is used for improving convergence for highly non‐linear material behaviour, typical for metals. Numerical experiments using the stabilization method with hierarchic shape functions for the velocity, pressure and state variable fields in viscoplastic flow and metal‐forming problems show that the stabilized finite element method is effective and efficient for non‐linear steady forming problems. Finally, the results are discussed and conclusions are inferred. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A two‐grid method for expanded mixed finite‐element solution of semilinear reaction–diffusion equations

We present a scheme for solving two‐dimensional semilinear reaction–diffusion equations using an expanded mixed finite element method. To linearize the mixed‐method equations, we use a two‐grid algorithm based on the Newton iteration method. The solution of a non‐linear system on the fine space is reduced to the solution of two small (one linear and one non‐linear) systems on the coarse space and a linear system on the fine space. It is shown that the coarse grid can be much coarser than the fine grid and achieve asymptotically optimal approximation as long as the mesh sizes satisfy H=O(h^1/3). As a result, solving such a large class of non‐linear equation will not be much more difficult than solving one single linearized equation. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Extended space–time finite elements for landslide dynamics

The paper introduces a methodology for numerical simulation of landslides experiencing considerable deformations and topological changes. Within an interface capturing approach, all interfaces are implicitly described by specifically defined level‐set functions allowing arbitrarily evolving complex topologies. The transient interface evolution is obtained by solving the level‐set equation driven by the physical velocity field for all three level‐set functions in a block Jacobi approach. The three boundary‐coupled fluid‐like continua involved are modeled as incompressible, governed by a generalized non‐Newtonian material law taking into account capillary pressure at moving fluid–fluid interfaces. The weighted residual formulation of the level‐set equations and the fluid equations is discretized with finite elements in space and time using velocity and pressure as unknown variables. Non‐smooth solution characteristics are represented by enriched approximations to fluid velocity (weak discontinuity) and fluid pressure (strong discontinuity). Special attention is given to the construction of enriched approximations for elements containing evolving triple junctions. Numerical examples of three‐fluid tank sloshing and air–water‐liquefied soil landslides demonstrate the potential and applicability of the method in geotechnical investigations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Non‐linear sloshing in partially liquid filled containers with baffles

A finite element method is used for computing the non‐linear sloshing response of liquid in a two‐dimensional rigid rectangular tank with rigid baffles. The potential formulation is considered for the liquid domain and a mixed Eulerian–Langrangian scheme is adopted. The solution is obtained by the Galerkin method. The fourth‐order Runge–Kutta method is employed to advance the solution in the time domain. A regridding technique is applied to the free surface of the liquid, which effectively eliminates the numerical instabilities without the use of artificial smoothing. Through the comparison with the available results for the rectangular tank without baffle, the validity of the present formulation is checked and then extended to the solution of tanks with rigid baffles. The effects of baffle parameters such as position, dimension and numbers on the non‐linear sloshing response are examined. The present numerical solution procedure is also applied to the non‐linear sloshing problems in a circular cylindrical container with annular baffle. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A 3D beam‐to‐beam contact finite element for coupled electric–mechanical fields

In this paper the formulation of an electric–mechanical beam‐to‐beam contact element is presented. Beams with circular cross‐sections are assumed to get in contact in a point‐wise manner and with clean metallic surfaces. The voltage distribution is influenced by the contact mechanics, since the current flow is constricted to small contacting spots. Therefore, the solution is governed by the contacting areas and hence by the contact forces. As a consequence the problem is semi‐coupled with the mechanical field influencing the electric one. The electric–mechanical contact constraints are enforced with the penalty method within the finite element technique. The virtual work equations for the mechanical and electric fields are written and consistently linearized to achieve a good level of computational efficiency with the finite element method. The set of equations is solved with a monolithic approach. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An implicit boundary element solution with consistent linearization for free surface flows and non‐linear fluid–structure interaction of floating bodies

In this work, a new comprehensive method has been developed which enables the solution of large, non‐linear motions of rigid bodies in a fluid with a free surface. The application of the modern Eulerian–Lagrangian approach has been translated into an implicit time‐integration formulation, a development which enables the use of larger time steps (where accuracy requirements allow it). Novel features of this project include: (1) an implicit formulation of the rigid‐body motion in a fluid with a free surface valid for both two or three dimensions and several moving bodies; (2) a complete formulation and solution of the initial conditions; (3) a fully consistent (exact) linearization for free surface flows valid for any boundary elements such that optimal convergence properties are obtained when using a Newton–Raphson solver. The proposed framework has been completed with details on implementation issues referring mainly to the computation of the complete initial conditions and the consistent linearization of the formulation for free surface flows. The second part of the paper demonstrates the mathematical and numerical formulation through numerical results simulating large free surface flows and non‐linear fluid structure interaction. The implicit formulation using a fully consistent linearization based on the boundary element method and the generalized trapezoidal rule has been applied to the solution of free surface flows for the evolution of a triangular wave, the generation of tsunamis and the propagation of a wave up to overturning. Fluid–structure interaction examples include the free and forced motion of a circular cylinder and the sway, heave and roll motion of a U‐shaped body in a tank with a flap wave generator. The presented examples demonstrate the applicability and performance of the implicit scheme with consistent linearization. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons. Ltd.     

Updated Lagrangian/Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian framework for interaction between a compressible neo‐Hookean structure and an incompressible fluid

We propose a numerical method for a fluid–structure interaction problem. The material of the structure is homogeneous, isotropic, and it can be described by the compressible neo‐Hookean constitutive equation, while the fluid is governed by the Navier–Stokes equations. Our study does not use turbulence model. Updated Lagrangian method is used for the structure and fluid equations are written in Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian coordinates. One global moving mesh is employed for the fluid–structure domain, where the fluid–structure interface is an ‘interior boundary’ of the global mesh. At each time step, we solve a monolithic system of unknown velocity and pressure defined on the global mesh. The continuity of velocity at the interface is automatically satisfied, while the continuity of stress does not appear explicitly in the monolithic fluid–structure system. This method is very fast because at each time step, we solve only one linear system. This linear system was obtained by the linearization of the structure around the previous position in the updated Lagrangian formulation and by the employment of a linear convection term for the fluid. Numerical results are presented. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Behaviour of isoparametric quadrilateral family of Lagrangian fluid finite elements

This paper presents the formulation of both the consistent and inconsistent four‐, eight‐ and nine‐noded isoparametric quadrilateral fluid finite elements that are based on Lagrangian frame of reference. The mesh locking phenomenon due to simultaneous enforcement of twin constraints, namely the incompressibility and irrotationality constraints, is studied in detail. The study shows that the characteristic of the locked fluid elements is that it always generates numerous spurious acoustic (volume change) modes upon the enforcement of rotational constraints. That is, the rotational constraints change the character of certain volume change modes. The study further reinforces the necessity of rotational constraints in not only identifying the spurious pressure modes, but also in reducing the computational effort for determining the eigenvalues and eigenvectors. It is found that all fully integrated inconsistent models exhibit locking behaviour. However, the inconsistent eight‐ and nine‐noded elements, integrated with full integration of volumetric stiffness and one point integration of the rotational stiffness matrices, gives excellent performance, although they do not pass the inf–sup test. The four‐ and nine‐noded consistent models are found to give locking free performance while their eight‐noded counterpart exhibited locking behaviour. The study shows that only consistent nine‐noded element models pass the inf–sup test. The utility of these elements in the coupled fluid–structure interaction problem is also demonstrated. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A semi‐analytical locally transversal linearization method for non‐linear dynamical systems

An numeric‐analytical, implicit and local linearization methodology, called the locally transversal linearization (LTL), is developed in the present paper for analyses and simulations of non‐linear oscillators. The LTL principle is based on deriving the locally linearized equations in such a way that the tangent space of the linearized equations transversally intersects that of the given non‐linear dynamical system at that particular point in the state space where the solution vector is sought. For purposes of numerical implementation, two different numerical schemes, namely LTL‐1 and LTL‐2 schemes, based on the LTL methodology are presented. Both LTL‐1 and LTL‐2 procedures finally reduce the given set of non‐linear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) to a set of transcendental algebraic equations valid over a short interval of time or over a short segment of the evolving trajectories as projected on the phase space. While in the LTL‐1 scheme the desired solution vector at a forward time point enters the linearized differential equations as an unknown parameter, in the LTL‐2 scheme a set of unknown residues enters the linearized system as parameters. A limited set of examples involving a few well‐known single‐degree‐of‐freedom (SDOF) non‐linear oscillators indicate that the LTL methodology is capable of accurately predicting many complicated non‐linear response patterns, including limit cycles, quasi‐periodic orbits and even strange attractors. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.