Unified analysis for stabilized methods of low-order mixed finite elements for stationary Navier-Stokes equations

A unified analysis is presented for the stabilized methods including the pres-sure projection method and the pressure gradient local projection method of conforming and nonconforming low-order mixed fi...     

Error estimates for a stabilized finite element method for the Oldroyd B model

In this paper, we study a new approximation scheme of transient viscoelastic fluid flow obeying an Oldroyd-B-type constitutive equation. The new stabilized formulation bases on the choice of a modified Euler method connected to the streamline upwinding Petrov-Galerkin (SUPG) method [M. Bensaada, D. Esselaoui, D. Sandri, Stabilization method for continuous approximation of transient convection problem, Numer. Methods Partial Differential Equations 21 (2004) 170-189], in order to stabilize the tensorial transport term of the Oldroyd derivative. Suppose that the continuous problem admits a sufficiently smooth and sufficiently small solution. A priori error estimates for the approximation in terms of the mesh parameter h and the time discretization parameter Δt are derived.     

A fully discrete stabilized finite element method for the time-dependent Navier-Stokes equations

In this article, we consider a fully discrete stabilized finite element method based on two local Gauss integrations for the two-dimensional time-dependent Navier-Stokes equations. It focuses on the lowest equal-order velocity-pressure pairs. Unlike the other stabilized method, the present approach does not require specification of a stabilization parameter or calculation of higher-order derivatives, and always leads to a symmetric linear system. The Euler semi-implicit scheme is used for the time discretization. It is shown that the proposed fully discrete stabilized finite element method results in the optimal order bounds for the velocity and pressure.     

High-order tetrahedral finite elements applied to large deformation analysis of functionally graded rubber-like materials

In this paper, high-order tetrahedral finite elements are employed to analyze structures and solids composed of functionally graded rubber-like materials under finite displacements, finite strains, statically applied forces and isothermal conditions. In order to do so, the following concepts are used: geometrically nonlinear analysis, Green–Lagrange strain tensor, second Piola–Kirchhoff stress tensor, hyperelastic constitutive relations, isoparametric solid tetrahedral finite elements of any order of approximation, and functionally graded materials. The equilibrium of the body is achieved via the Principle of the Stationary Total Potential Energy. The elements are fully integrated via Gaussian quadratures, and the resultant processing time is reduced by means of parallel techniques. To solve the nonlinear system of equations, the Newton–Raphson iterative procedure is employed.The proposed formulation is validated by benchmark problems such as: the Cook’s membrane and the thick cylinder. Other interesting simulation, the Cook’s block is proposed in order to evaluate high strain gradient situations. The results show that, in the context of the present study, locking-free behavior is obtained with simple mesh refinement.     

Nonconforming tetrahedral finite elements for fourth order elliptic equations

This paper is devoted to the construction of nonconforming finite elements for the discretization of fourth order elliptic partial differential operators in three spatial dimensions. The newly constructed elements include two nonconforming tetrahedral finite elements and one quasi-conforming tetrahedral element. These elements are proved to be convergent for a model biharmonic equation in three dimensions. In particular, the quasi-conforming tetrahedron element is a modified Zienkiewicz element, while the nonmodified Zienkiewicz element (a tetrahedral element of Hermite type) is proved to be divergent on a special grid.

     

Nonconforming elements in least-squares mixed finite element methods

In this paper we analyze the finite element discretization for the first-order system least squares mixed model for the second-order elliptic problem by means of using nonconforming and conforming elements to approximate displacement and stress, respectively. Moreover, on arbitrary regular quadrilaterals, we propose new variants of both the rotated nonconforming element and the lowest-order Raviart-Thomas element.

     

A new family of stable mixed finite elements for the 3D Stokes equations

A natural mixed-element approach for the Stokes equations in the velocity-pressure formulation would approximate the velocity by continuous piecewise-polynomials and would approximate the pressure by discontinuous piecewise-polynomials of one degree lower. However, many such elements are unstable in 2D and 3D. This paper is devoted to proving that the mixed finite elements of this - type when satisfy the stability condition--the Babuska-Brezzi inequality on macro-tetrahedra meshes where each big tetrahedron is subdivided into four subtetrahedra. This type of mesh simplifies the implementation since it has no restrictions on the initial mesh. The new element also suits the multigrid method.

     

A mixed nonconforming finite element for linear elasticity

This article considers a mixed finite element method for linear elasticity. It is based on a modified mixed formulation that enforces the continuity of the stress weakly by adding a jump term of the approximated stress on interior edges. The symmetric stress are approximated by nonconforming linear elements and the displacement by piecewise constants. We establish ??(h) error bound in the (broken) L² norm for the divergence of the stress and ??(h) error bound in the L² norm for both the displacement and the stress tensor. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2005.     

Stabilized multiscale finite element method for the stationary Navier-Stokes equations

In the paper, a stabilized multiscale finite element method for the stationary incompressible Navier-Stokes equations is considered. The method is a Petrov-Galerkin approach based on the multiscale enrichment of the standard polynomial space enriched with the unusual bubble functions which no longer vanish on every element boundary for the velocity space. The stability of the P₁-P₀ triangular element (or the Q₁-P₀ quadrilateral element) is established. And the optimal error estimates of the stabilized multiscale finite element method for the stationary Navier-Stokes equations are obtained.     

A coupling of nonconforming and mixed finite element methods for Biot's consolidation model

In this article, we develop a nonconforming mixed finite element method to solve Biot's consolidation model. In particular, this work has been motivated to overcome nonphysical oscillations in the pressure variable, which is known as locking in poroelasticity. The method is based on a coupling of a nonconforming finite element method for the displacement of the solid phase with a standard mixed finite element method for the pressure and velocity of the fluid phase. The discrete Korn's inequality has been achieved by adding a jump term to the discrete variational formulation. We prove a rigorous proof of a‐priori error estimates for both semidiscrete and fully‐discrete schemes. Optimal error estimates have been derived. In particular, optimality in the pressure, measured in different norms, has been proved for both cases when the constrained specific storage coefficient c₀ is strictly positive and when c₀ is nonnegative. Numerical results illustrate the accuracy of the method and also show the effectiveness of the method to overcome the nonphysical pressure oscillations. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2013     

A projection-based stabilized finite element method for steady-state natural convection problem

We formulate a projection-based stabilization finite element technique for solving steady-state natural convection problems. In particular, we consider heat transport through combined solid and fluid media. This stabilization does not act on the large flow structures. Based on the projection stabilization idea, finite element error analysis of the problem is investigated and optimal errors for the velocity, temperature and pressure are established. We also present some numerical tests which both verify the theoretical predictions and demonstrate the method?s promise.     

Partial hybrid finite elements for composite laminates

Three types of partial hybrid finite elements are presented in order to set up a global/local finite element model for analysis of composite laminates. In the global/local model, a composite laminate is divided into three different regions: global, local, and transition regions. These are modeled using three different elements. In the global region, a 4-node degenerated plate/shell element is used to model the overall response of the composite laminate. In the local region, a multilayer element is used to predict detailed stress distribution. In the transition region, a multilayer transition element is used to smoothly connect the two previous elements. The global/local finite element model satisfies the compatibility of displacement at the boundary between the global region and the local region. It also satisfies the continuity of transverse stresses at interlaminar surfaces and traction conditions on the top and bottom surfaces of composite laminates. The global/local finite element model has high accuracy and efficiency for stress analysis of composite laminates. A numerical example of analysis of a laminated strip with free edge is presented to illustrate the accuracy and efficiency of the model.     

Nonconforming mixed finite elements for linear elasticity on simplicial grids

This paper introduces a new family of nonconforming mixed finite elements for solving the linear elasticity equations on simplicial grids. Besides, this paper describes the construction of the lowest order basis functions. The construction only involves simple computations due to the new explicit stress shape function spaces and the procedure applies for high order cases. Numerical experiments for four benchmark problems in mechanics indicate the robust locking‐free behavior and show that the lowest order nonconforming mixed method leads to smaller stress errors than the first and second order standard Galerkin methods for the nearly incompressible case.     

A new stabilized finite volume method for the stationary Stokes equations

In this paper we develop and study a new stabilized finite volume method for the two-dimensional Stokes equations. This method is based on a local Gauss integration technique and the conforming elements of the lowest-equal order pair (i.e., the P ₁–P ₁ pair). After a relationship between this method and a stabilized finite element method is established, an error estimate of optimal order in the H ¹-norm for velocity and an estimate in the L ²-norm for pressure are obtained. An optimal error estimate in the L ²-norm for the velocity is derived under an additional assumption on the body force. This work is supported in part by the NSF of China 10701001 and by the US National Science Foundation grant DMS-0609995 and CMG Chair Funds in Reservoir Simulation.     

An approximation of incompressible miscible displacement in porous media by mixed finite elements and symmetric finite volume element method of characteristics

A nonlinear system of two coupled partial differential equations models miscible displacement of one incompressible fluid by another in a porous medium. A sequential implicit time‐stepping procedure is defined, in which the pressure and Darcy velocity of the mixture are approximated by a mixed finite element method and the concentration is approximated by a combination of a modified symmetric finite volume element method and the method of characteristics. Optimal order convergence in H¹ and in L² are proved for full discrete schemes. Finally, some numerical experiments are presented. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2013     

A finite strain contact model for mixed lubricated surfaces in forming processes

For an accurate simulation of forming processes, it is of paramount importance to model the different lubrication regimes that can develop at the contact interface. These might vary from zone to zone of the forming piece, and from one regime to another, resulting in forces of different nature and magnitude. In these cases, the use of the classical Coulomb friction law will be clearly not sufficient to capture, in a suitable manner, the variety of forces applied on the forming piece.     

Superconvergence of tetrahedral quadratic finite elements for a variable coefficient elliptic equation

For a variable coefficient elliptic boundary value problem in three dimensions, using the properties of the bubble function and the element cancelation technique, we derive the weak estimate of the first type for tetrahedral quadratic elements. In addition, the estimate for the W^1,1‐seminorm of the discrete derivative Green's function is also given. Finally, we show that the derivatives of the finite element solution u_h and the corresponding interpolant Π₂u are superclose in the pointwise sense of the L^∞‐norm. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2013     

Finite volume method based on stabilized finite elements for the nonstationary Navier–Stokes problem

A finite volume method based on stabilized finite element for the two‐dimensional nonstationary Navier–Stokes equations is investigated in this work. As in stabilized finite element method, macroelement condition is introduced for constructing the local stabilized formulation of the nonstationary Navier–Stokes equations. Moreover, for P₁ ? P₀ element, the H¹ error estimate of optimal order for finite volume solution (u_h,p_h) is analyzed. And, a uniform H¹ error estimate of optimal order for finite volume solution (u_h, p_h) is also obtained if the uniqueness condition is satisfied. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2007