Low‐rank approximation of FE matrix inverses for operators with jumping coefficients

This article deals with the existence of blockwise low‐rank approximants, so called ℋ︁‐matrices, to inverses of FE matrices in the case of uniformly elliptic operators with L^∞‐coefficients. Unlike operators arising from boundary element methods for which the ℋ︁‐matrix theory has been extensively developed the inverses of these operators do not benefit from the smoothness of the kernel function. However, it will be shown that this does not affect the existence of low‐rank approximants. Numerical examples show the correctness of our estimates.     

Blended kernel approximation in the ℋ︁‐matrix techniques

Several types of ??‐matrices were shown to provide a data‐sparse approximation of non‐local (integral) operators in FEM and BEM applications. The general construction is applied to the operators with asymptotically smooth kernel function provided that the Galerkin ansatz space has a hierarchical structure. The new class of ??‐matrices is based on the so‐called blended FE and polynomial approximations of the kernel function and leads to matrix blocks with a tensor‐product of block‐Toeplitz (block‐circulant) and rank‐k matrices. This requires the translation (rotation) invariance of the kernel combined with the corresponding tensor‐product grids. The approach allows for the fast evaluation of volume/boundary integral operators with possibly non‐smooth kernels defined on canonical domains/manifolds in the FEM/BEM applications. (Here and in the following, we call domains canonical if they are obtained by translation or rotation of one of their parts, e.g. parallelepiped, cylinder, sphere, etc.) In particular, we provide the error and complexity analysis for blended expansions to the Helmholtz kernel. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Approximate Separability of the Green's Function of the Helmholtz Equation in the High Frequency Limit

The minimum number of terms that are needed in a separable approximation for a Green's function reveals the intrinsic complexity of the solution space of the underlying differential equation. It also has implications for whether low‐rank structures exist in the linear system after numerical discretization. The Green's function for a coercive elliptic differential operator in divergence form was shown to be highly separable [2], and efficient numerical algorithms exploiting low‐rank structures of the discretized systems were developed. In this work, a new approach to study the approximate separability of the Green's function of the Helmholtz equation in the high‐frequency limit is developed. We show (1) lower bounds based on an explicit characterization of the correlation between two Green's functions and a tight dimension estimate for the best linear subspace to approximate a set of decorrelated Green's functions, (2) upper bounds based on constructing specific separable approximations, and (3) sharpness of these bounds for a few case studies of practical interest. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Wavelet compression of integral operators arising from boudary-domain integral method

The boundary-domain integral method uses Green's functions to write integral representations of partial differential equations. Since Green's functions are non-local, the systems of linear equations arising from the discretization of integral representations are fully populated. Several algorithms have been proposed, which yield a data-sparse approximation of these systems, such as the fast multipole method, adaptive cross approximation and among others, wavelet compression. In the framework of solving the Navier-Stokes equations in velocity-vorticity form one may utilize the boundary-domain integral method for the solution of the kinematics equation to calculate the boundary vorticity values. Since the kinematics equation is a Poisson type equation, usually its integral representation is written with the Green's function for the Laplace operator. In this work, we introduce a false time into the equation and parabolize its nature. Thus, a time-dependent Green's function may be used. This provides a new parameter, the time step, which can be set to control the Green's function. The time-dependent Green's function is a global function, but by carefully choosing the time step, its behaviour is almost local. This makes it a good candidate for wavelet compression, yielding much better compression ratios at a given accuracy than when using the Green's function for the Laplace operator. However, as false time is introduced, several time steps must be solved in order to reach a converged solution. (© 2014 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Norm‐controlled inversion in smooth Banach algebras,II

We show that smoothness implies norm‐controlled inversion: the smoothness of an element a in a Banach algebra with a one‐parameter automorphism group is preserved under inversion, and the norm of the inverse is controlled by the smoothness of a and by spectral data. In our context smooth subalgebras are obtained with the classical constructions of approximation theory and resemble spaces of differentiable functions, Besov spaces or Bessel potential spaces. To treat ultra‐smoothness, we resort to Dales‐Davie algebras. Furthermore, based on Baskakov's work, we derive explicit norm control estimates for infinite matrices with polynomial off‐diagonal decay. This is a quantitative version of Jaffard's theorem.     

A short overview of ℋ︁2‐matrices

ℋ︁²‐matrices are a refined version of hierarchical matrices, which in turn are based on the panel‐clustering approach for approximating certain integral operators. Their main advantage, as compared with their predecessors, is that the associated algorithms are of significantly lower complexity while providing the same order of accuracy. Under certain conditions, it is even possible to reach optimal complexity.     

Construction and complexity of hierarchical matrices

In previous papers a class of ℋ︁‐matrices was introduced which are data‐sparse and allow an approximate matrix arithmetic of nearly optimal complexity. The complexity analysis for the (approximate) matrix arithmetics in the class of ℋ︁‐matrices is based on two criteria, the sparsity and the idempotency. We describe a general strategy for the construction of the ℋ︁‐matrices where the two criteria are fulfilled.     

Bergman spaces of higher‐dimensional hyperbolic polyhedron‐type domains I

In this paper we develop explicit formulas for the Green's function and the monogenic reproducing Bergman kernel function of some hyperbolic polyhedron‐type domains that generalize the fundamental domain of the modular group SL(2,?) to higher dimensions. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Maximum‐norm superapproximation of the gradient for the trilinear block finite element

For a model elliptic boundary value problem in three dimensions, we give the weak estimate of the first type for trilinear block elements and the estimate for W^1,1‐seminorm of the discrete derivative Green's function over rectangular partitions of the domain, from which we obtain maximum‐norm superapproximation of the gradient for the trilinear block finite element approximation. Furthermore, utilizing this superapproximation, we can also obtain maximum‐norm superconvergence of the gradient. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2007     

A nonlocal parabolic model for type‐I superconductors

A vectorial nonlocal linear parabolic problem on a bounded domain with applications in superconductors of type‐I is studied. The nonlocal term is represented by a (space) convolution with a singular kernel (arising in Eringen's model). The well‐posedness of the problem is discussed under low regularity assumptions, and the error estimates for an implicit and semiimplicit time‐discrete scheme (based on backward Euler approximation) are established. It is shown that the solution of the problem satisfies a simpler nonlocal problem with a positive definite kernel if the normal component of the unknown vector field equals zero on the boundary of the domain. Numerical experiments support the obtained theoretical results. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 30: 1821–1853, 2014     

3‐D Contact problems for elastic wedges with Coulomb friction

3‐D quasi‐static contact problems for elastic wedges with Coulomb friction are reduced to integral equations and integral inequalities with unknown contact normal pressures. To obtain these equations and inequalities, Green's functions for the wedges, where one face of the wedges is either stress‐free or fixed, are needed. Using Fourier and Kontorovich–Lebedev integral transformations, all the stresses and displacements in the wedges can be constructed in terms of solutions of Fredholm integral equations of the second kind on the semiaxis. The Green's functions can be calculated as uniformly convergent power series in (1‐2ν), where νis Poisson's ratio. An exponential decay of the kernels and right‐hand sides of the Fredholm integral equations provides the applicability of the collocation method for simple and fast calculation of the Green's functions. For a half‐space, which is a special case of an elastic wedge, the kernels degenerate and the functions reduce to the well‐known Boussinesq and Cerruti solutions. Analysing the contact problems reveals that the Green's functions govern the kernels of the above mentioned integral equations and inequalities. Under the assumption that the punch has a smooth shape, the contact pressure is zero on the boundary of the unknown contact zone. Solving the contact problems with the help of the Galanov–Newton method, the normal contact pressure, the contact zone and the normal displacement around the contact zone can be determined simultaneously. In view of the numerical results, the influence of the friction forces on the punch force and the punch settlement is discussed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Potential fields induced by point sources in assemblies of shells weakened with apertures

Well‐posed boundary‐value problems in multiply‐connected regions are targeted for some sets of two‐dimensional Laplace equations written in geographical coordinates on joint surfaces of revolution. Those are problems that simulate potential fields induced by point sources in joint perforated thin shell structures consist of fragments of different geometry. A semi‐analytical approach is proposed to accurately compute solutions of such problems. The approach is based on the matrix of Green's type formalism. The elements of required matrices of Green's type are obtained analytically and expressed in closed computer‐friendly form. This makes it possible to efficiently deal with the targeted class of problems. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hybrid cross approximation of integral operators

The efficient treatment of dense matrices arising, e.g., from the finite element discretisation of integral operators requires special compression techniques. In this article we use the -matrix representation that approximates the dense stiffness matrix in admissible blocks (corresponding to subdomains where the underlying kernel function is smooth) by low-rank matrices. The low-rank matrices are assembled by a new hybrid algorithm (HCA) that has the same proven convergence as standard interpolation but also the same efficiency as the (heuristic) adaptive cross approximation (ACA).     

Preconditioning and a posteriori error estimates using h‐ and p‐hierarchical finite elements with rectangular supports

We show some of the properties of the algebraic multilevel iterative methods when the hierarchical bases of finite elements (FEs) with rectangular supports are used for solving the elliptic boundary value problems. In particular, we study two types of hierarchies; the so‐called h‐ and p‐hierarchical FE spaces on a two‐dimensional domain. We compute uniform estimates of the strengthened Cauchy–Bunyakowski–Schwarz inequality constants for these spaces. Moreover, for diagonal blocks of the stiffness matrices corresponding to the fine spaces, the optimal preconditioning matrices can be found, which have tri‐ or five‐diagonal forms for h‐ or p‐refinements, respectively, after a certain reordering of the elements. As another use of the hierarchical bases, the a posteriori error estimates can be computed. We compare them in test examples for h‐ and p‐hierarchical FEs with rectangular supports. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On order‐reducible sinc discretizations and block‐diagonal preconditioning methods for linear third‐order ordinary differential equations

By introducing a variable substitution, we transform the two‐point boundary value problem of a third‐order ordinary differential equation into a system of two second‐order ordinary differential equations (ODEs). We discretize this order‐reduced system of ODEs by both sinc‐collocation and sinc‐Galerkin methods, and average these two discretized linear systems to obtain the target system of linear equations. We prove that the discrete solution resulting from the linear system converges exponentially to the true solution of the order‐reduced system of ODEs. The coefficient matrix of the linear system is of block two‐by‐two structure, and each of its blocks is a combination of Toeplitz and diagonal matrices. Because of its algebraic properties and matrix structures, the linear system can be effectively solved by Krylov subspace iteration methods such as GMRES preconditioned by block‐diagonal matrices. We demonstrate that the eigenvalues of certain approximation to the preconditioned matrix are uniformly bounded within a rectangle on the complex plane independent of the size of the discretized linear system, and we use numerical examples to illustrate the feasibility and effectiveness of this new approach. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Unique solvability of a non‐local problem for mixed‐type equation with fractional derivative

In this work, we investigate a boundary problem with non‐local conditions for mixed parabolic–hyperbolic‐type equation with three lines of type changing with Caputo fractional derivative in the parabolic part. We equivalently reduce considered problem to the system of second kind Volterra integral equations. In the parabolic part, we use solution of the first boundary problem with appropriate Green's function, and in hyperbolic parts, we use corresponding solutions of the Cauchy problem. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Pointwise supercloseness of tensor‐product block finite elements

In this article, we first introduce interpolation operator of projection type in three dimensions, from which we then derive weak estimates for tensor‐product block finite elements of degree m ≥ 1. Finally, using estimates for the discrete Green's function and the discrete derivative Green's function, we prove that both of the gradient and the function value of the finite element solution u_h and the corresponding interpolant Π_mu of projection type and degree m are superclose in the pointwise sense of the L^∞‐norm. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2009     

The diffraction in a class of unbounded domains connected through a hole

In this paper, the unique solvability, Fredholm property, and the principle of limiting absorption are proved for a boundary value problem for the system of Maxwell's equations in a semi‐infinite rectangular cylinder coupled with a layer by an aperture of arbitrary shape. Conditions at infinity are taken in the form of the Sveshnikov–Werner partial radiation conditions. The method of solution employs Green's functions of the partial domains and reduction to vector pseudodifferential equations considered in appropriate vectorial Sobolev spaces. Singularities of Green's functions are separated both in the domain and on its boundary. The smoothness of solutions is established. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On a quadrature algorithm for the piecewise linear wavelet collocation applied to boundary integral equations

In this paper, we consider a piecewise linear collocation method for the solution of a pseudo‐differential equation of order r=0, ?1 over a closed and smooth boundary manifold. The trial space is the space of all continuous and piecewise linear functions defined over a uniform triangular grid and the collocation points are the grid points. For the wavelet basis in the trial space we choose the three‐point hierarchical basis together with a slight modification near the boundary points of the global patches of parametrization. We choose linear combinations of Dirac delta functionals as wavelet basis in the space of test functionals. For the corresponding wavelet algorithm, we show that the parametrization can be approximated by low‐order piecewise polynomial interpolation and that the integrals in the stiffness matrix can be computed by quadrature, where the quadrature rules are composite rules of simple low‐order quadratures. The whole algorithm for the assembling of the matrix requires no more than O(N [logN]³) arithmetic operations, and the error of the collocation approximation, including the compression, the approximative parametrization, and the quadratures, is less than O(N^?(2?r)/2). Note that, in contrast to well‐known algorithms by Petersdorff, Schwab, and Schneider, only a finite degree of smoothness is required. In contrast to an algorithm of Ehrich and Rathsfeld, no multiplicative splitting of the kernel function is required. Beside the usual mapping properties of the integral operator in low order Sobolev spaces, estimates of Calderón–Zygmund type are the only assumptions on the kernel function. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Q Curvature on a Class of 3‐Manifolds

Motivated by the strong maximum principle for the Paneitz operator in dimension 5 or higher found in a preprint by Gursky and Malchiodi and the calculation of the second variation of the Green's function pole's value on ??³ in our preprint, we study the Riemannian metric on 3‐manifolds with positive scalar and Q curvature. Among other things, we show it is always possible to find a constant Q curvature metric in the conformal class. Moreover, the Green's function is always negative away from the pole, and the pole's value vanishes if and only if the Riemannian manifold is conformal diffeomorphic to the standard ??³. Compactness of constant Q curvature metrics in a conformal class and the associated Sobolev inequality are also discussed. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.