Analysis of finite element approximations of a phase field model for two-phase fluids

This paper studies a phase field model for the mixture of two immiscible and incompressible fluids. The model is described by a nonlinear parabolic system consisting of the nonstationary Stokes equations coupled with the Allen-Cahn equation through an extra phase induced stress term in the Stokes equations and a fluid induced transport term in the Allen-Cahn equation. Both semi-discrete and fully discrete finite element methods are developed for approximating the parabolic system. It is shown that the proposed numerical methods satisfy a discrete energy law which mimics the basic energy law for the phase field model. Error estimates are derived for the semi-discrete method, and the convergence to the phase field model and to its sharp interface limiting model are established for the fully discrete finite element method by making use of the discrete energy law. Numerical experiments are also presented to validate the theory and to show the effectiveness of the combined phase field and finite element approach.

     

On the viscous Allen-Cahn and Cahn-Hilliard systems with willmore regularization

We consider the viscous Allen-Cahn and Cahn-Hilliard models with an additional term called the nonlinear Willmore regularization. First, we are interested in the well-posedness of these two models. Furthermore, we prove that both models possess a global attractor. In addition, as far as the viscous Allen-Cahn equation is concerned, we construct a robust family of exponential attractors, i.e. attractors which are continuous with respect to the perturbation parameter. Finally, we give some numerical simulations which show the effects of the viscosity term on the anisotropic and isotropic Cahn-Hilliard equation.     

Long Time Behavior of the Cahn-Hilliard Equation with Irregular Potentials and Dynamic Boundary Conditions

The Cahn-Hilliard equation with irregular potentials and dynamic boundary conditions is considered.The existence of the global attractor is proved and the long time behavior of the trajectories,namely,the convergence to steady states,is studied.     

A Phase-Field Model of Ductile Fracture at Finite Strains

This work outlines a variational-based framework for the phase field modeling of ductile fracture in elastic-plastic solids at large strains. The phase field approach regularizes sharp crack discontinuities within a pure continuum setting by a specific gradient damage model with geometric features rooted in fracture mechanics. Based on the recent works [1, 2], the phase field model of ductile fracture is linked to a formulation of gradient plasticity at finite strains in order to ensure the crack to evolve inside the plastic zones. The thermodynamic formulation is based on the definition of a constitutive work density function including the stored elastic energy and the dissipated work due to plasticity and fracture. The proposed canonical theory is shown to be governed by a rate-type minimization principle, which determines the coupled multi-field evolution problem. Another aspect is the regularization towards a micromorphic gradient plasticity-damage setting which enhances the robustness of the finite element formulation. (© 2016 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The Cahn-Hilliard Equation and the Allen-Cahn Equation on Manifolds with Conical Singularities

We consider the Cahn-Hilliard equation on a manifold with conical singularities. We first show the existence of bounded imaginary powers for suitable closed extensions of the bilaplacian. Combining results and methods from singular analysis with a theorem of Clément and Li we then prove the short time solvability of the Cahn-Hilliard equation in L_p-Mellin-Sobolev spaces and obtain the asymptotics of the solution near the conical points. We deduce, in particular, that regularity is preserved on the smooth part of the manifold and singularities remain confined to the conical points. We finally show how the Allen-Cahn equation can be treated by simpler considerations. Again we obtain short time solvability and the behavior near the conical points.     

Numerical and experimental investigations of phase segragation effects in binary brazing solders

Solder materials occupy many of fields for technical application (e.g. solder joints in automotive control units or in microelectronic packages). They are required to provide electrical and mechanical connections between different components. Due to their wide range of applications solder alloys are subject to a great variety of microstructural changes such as phase separation and coarsening processes. The micromorphological variations influence strength and life expectation of solder materials, in particular, in very small components such as solder joints in microelectronic packages. In order to analyze the microstructural evolution with a diffusion theory of heterogeneous solid mixtures we employ an extended Cahn-Hilliard phase field model. The diffusion equation under consideration constitutes a partial differential equation involving spatial derivatives of fourth order. Thus, the variational formulation of the problem requires approximation functions which are piecewise smooth and globally C1-continuous. In our contribution we fulfil the continuity requirement by means of rational B-spline finite element basis functions. To illustrate the versatility of this approach numerical simulations of phase decomposition and coarsening controlled by diffusion and by mechanical loading are discussed and compared with experimental results. (© 2010 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Phase Field Modeling of Brittle and Ductile Fracture

The phase field modeling of brittle fracture was a topic of intense research in the last few years and is now well-established. We refer to the work [1-3], where a thermodynamically consistent framework was developed. The main advantage is that the phase-field-type diffusive crack approach is a smooth continuum formulation which avoids the modeling of discontinuities and can be implemented in a straightforward manner by multi-field finite element methods. Therefore complex crack patterns including branching can be resolved easily. In this paper, we extend the recently outlined phase field model of brittle crack propagation [1-3] towards the analysis of ductile fracture in elastic-plastic solids. In particular, we propose a formulation that is able to predict the brittle-to-ductile failure mode transition under dynamic loading that was first observed in experiments by Kalthoff and Winkler [4]. To this end, we outline a new thermodynamically consistent framework for phase field models of crack propagation in ductile elastic-plastic solids under dynamic loading, develop an incremental variational principle and consider its robust numerical implementation by a multi-field finite element method. The performance of the proposed phase field formulation of fracture is demonstrated by means of the numerical simulation of the classical Kalthoff-Winkler experiment that shows the dynamic failure mode transition. (© 2013 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Higher-order models in phase separation

Our aim in this paper is to study higher-order (in space) Allen-Cahn and Cahn-Hilliard models. In particular, we obtain well-posedness results, as well as the existence of the global attractor.     

A thermodynamic framework for coupled multiphase field and diffusion models for lower bainite transformation

The lower bainite transformation is characterized by a displacive transformation from austenite to bainitic ferrite and a subsequent separation of carbon within the new supersaturated phase. At accumulations of carbon carbides precipitate. To model this complex process a framework considering phase changes and carbon diffusion is required. In this work we present a thermodynamic framework based on the theory of microforce balances considering multiphase Ginzburg-Landau equations coupled with Cahn-Hilliard diffusion. (© 2016 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

On the convergence of a fourth order evolution equation to the Allen-Cahn equation

We construct special sequences of solutions to a fourth order nonlinear parabolic equation of Cahn-Hilliard/Allen-Cahn type, converging to the second order Allen-Cahn equation. We consider the evolution equation without boundary, as well as the stationary case on domains with Dirichlet boundary conditions. The proofs exploit the equivalence of the fourth order equation with a system of two second order elliptic equations with “good signs”.     

一维Allen-Cahn方程紧差分格式的离散最大化原则和能量稳定性研究

本文主要研究相场模拟中的Allen-Cahn模型,考虑一维Allen-Cahn方程紧差分方法的数值逼近.建立具有O(∫τ2+h4)精度的全离散紧差分格式,证明在合理的步长比和时间步长的约束下,其数值解满足离散最大化原则,在此基础上,研究了全离散格式的能量稳定性.最后给出数值算例.     

Energy dissipating hybrid control for impulsive dynamical systems

A novel class of fixed-order, energy-based hybrid controllers is proposed as a means for achieving enhanced energy dissipation in nonsmooth Euler–Lagrange, hybrid port-controlled Hamiltonian, and lossless impulsive dynamical systems. These dynamic controllers combine a logical switching architecture with hybrid dynamics to guarantee that the system plant energy is strictly decreasing across switchings. The general framework leads to hybrid closed-loop systems described by impulsive differential equations. Special cases of energy-based hybrid controllers involving state-dependent switching are described, and an illustrative numerical example is given to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed approach.     

A fully variational algorithmic formulation for wrinkling at finite strains

This contribution is concerned with an efficient novel algorithmic formulation for wrinkling at finite strains. In contrast to previously published numerical implementations, the advocated method is fully variational. More precisely, the parameters describing wrinkles or slacks, together with the unknown deformation mapping, are computed jointly by minimizing the potential energy of the considered mechanical system. Furthermore, the wrinkling criteria are naturally included within the presented variational framework. The presented approach allows to employ three–dimensional constitutive models directly, i.e., plane stress conditions characterizing membranes are variationally enforced by minimizing the potential energy with respect to the transversal strains. Since the proposed formulation for wrinkling in membranes is fully variational, it can be conveniently combined with other variational methods (based on energy minimization). As an example, a variationally consistent framework for finite strain plasticity theory is considered. More precisely, the minimization principle characterizing wrinkling in elastic membranes and that describing plasticity in inelastic solids are coupled leading to a novel variational approach for inelastic membranes. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Adaptive pseudospectral solution of a diffuse interface model

A diffuse interface type model, using an energy-based variational formulation with a free energy that is a function of the density and its gradients is presented. All of the boundary terms are retained and related to external surface forces, which can be of particular interest when considering the fluid–fluid–solid region. The numerical solution of these types of problems can be troublesome if a thin transition layer is desired. Here, Chebyshev pseudospectral methods with mesh adaptation for the solution of diffuse interface type problems are studied. A mesh adaptation algorithm based in the equidistribution principle following a continuation process is derived. In order to achieve high precision for problems exhibiting thin transition layers, a modified version of the arc-length monitor function is proposed which yields a sufficiently smooth coordinate transformation. At every step of the continuation process, a fixed number of iterations is implemented, so that the equidistribution equations are not solved completely at each step, which saves a considerable amount of computational effort. Numerical results for the static phase field model exhibiting thin transition layers are presented.     

Simulation of Atomic Force Microscopy for investigating BaTiO3 and LiMn2O4 nanostructures based on Phase Field Approach

Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) probes the surface features of specimens using an extremely sharp tip scanning the sample surface while the force is applied. AFM is also widely used for investigating the electrically non-conductive materials by applying an electric potential on the tip. Piezoresponse Force Microscopy (PFM) and Electrochemical Strain Microscopy (ESM) are variants of AFM for different materials. Both PFM and ESM signals are obtained by observing the displacement of the tip when applying electric fields during the scanning process. The PFM technique is based on converse piezoelectric effect of ferroelectrics and the ESM technique is based on electrochemical coupling in solid ionic conductors. In this work, two continuum-mechanical formulations for simulation of PFM and ESM are discussed. In the first model, for PFM simulation, a phase field approach based on the Allen-Cahn equation for non-conserved order parameters is employed for ferroelectrics. Here, the polarization vector is chosen as order parameter. Since ferroelectrics have highly anisotropic properties, this model accounts for transversely isotropic symmetry using an invariant formulation. The polarization switching behavior under the electric field will be discussed with some numerical examples. In the simulation of ESM, we employ a constitutive model based on the work of Bohn et al. [8] for the modeling of lithium manganese dioxide LiMn₂O₄ (LMO). It simulates the deformation of the LMO particle according to an applied voltage and the evolution of lithium concentration after removing a DC pulse. The modeling results are compared to experimental data. (© 2015 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Cahn-Hilliard方程的高阶保能量散逸性方法

能量散逸性是物理和力学中某些微分方程一项重要的物理特性.构造精确地保持微分方程能量散逸性的数值格式对模拟具有能量散逸性的微分方程具有重要的意义.本文利用四阶平均向量场方法和傅里叶谱方法构造了Cahn-Hilliard方程高阶保能量散逸性格式.数值结果表明高阶保能量散逸性格式能很好地模拟Cahn-Hilliard方程在不同初始条件下解的行为,并且很好地保持了Cahn-Hilliard方程的能量散逸特性.