Iterative methods for stabilized mixed velocity–pressure finite elements

This paper is concerned with iterative techniques for the solution of the linear system of equations arising from a finite element approximation of an elliptic partial differential equation by a mixed method. Three types of iterative algorithms are investigated. Applications to the Stokes equations are discussed and the results of numerical experiments given.     

An extended κ–ϵ finite element model

An extended κ–? model (to include low-Reynolds-number regions) employing weighting functions is presented. Wall functions for the near-wall zones are developed giving correct boundary values for the Shear stress and κ–?. A finite element model using a penalty formulation for incompressible turbulent flow is applied to Solve a flow between two plates. Results with mesh boundaries situated in the near-wall region and a: the wall are compared with measured values.     

The behaviour of several stress–velocity–pressure mixed finite elements for Newtonian flows

The Q₂/P₁, P/P₁, P₂/P₀ and Q₁/P₀ velocity–pressure mixed elements are extended to the stress–velocity–pressure formulation, using the same interpolants for stress and velocity, and tested in the 4-to-1 contraction problem for Stokes flow. The comparison shows significant differences among them, which are not present when the velocity–pressure formulation is used. To provide a better understanding of the phenomenon, several variants of the previous elements are introduced, obtained by either changing the pressure space or by enriching the stress space with bubble functions. The formulation exhibits a strong sensitivity to the first alternative, while the second produces only a minor effect. These observations are confirmed by a convergence test effected on a regular problem with the explicit analytical solution. Also, as a result of the whole comparison, the P/P/P₁ element looks promising for three-field calculations.     

A multiblock Navier–Stokes algorithm using equal-order quadratic finite elements

A new multiblock pressure-based finite element algorithm has been developed. This methodology implements quadratic interpolation for both the elemental velocity and pressure fields. A direct streamline upwinding scheme previously developedby the authors is used to model the non-linear inertia effects. Details of the algorithm and its multiblock foundation are provided along with validating test cases. The results presented clearly demonstrate the accuracy of this new approach and the differences in the pressure field for an element using quadratic versus the traditional bi linear approximation of the pressure field.     

Analysis of hypersonic flows using finite elements with Taylor–Galerkin scheme

The aim of the present work is to introduce a formulation for the numerical analysis of three‐dimensional thermochemical non‐equilibrium hypersonic flows, using the finite element method and the Taylor–Galerkin scheme and adopting Park's 2‐temperature, 5‐species (N2, O2, NO, N and O) and 17‐reaction model. Examples using Euler and Navier–Stokes equations are included and compared with experimental and numerical works presented by other authors. The results are close to those analysed by other researches and a good computational performance was obtained. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An L2‐stable approximation of the Navier–Stokes convection operator for low‐order non‐conforming finite elements

We develop in this paper a discretization for the convection term in variable density unstationary Navier–Stokes equations, which applies to low‐order non‐conforming finite element approximations (the so‐called Crouzeix–Raviart or Rannacher–Turek elements). This discretization is built by a finite volume technique based on a dual mesh. It is shown to enjoy an L² stability property, which may be seen as a discrete counterpart of the kinetic energy conservation identity. In addition, numerical experiments confirm the robustness and the accuracy of this approximation; in particular, in L² norm, second‐order space convergence for the velocity and first‐order space convergence for the pressure are observed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Configurational forces and couples in fracture mechanics accounting for microstructures and dissipation

Configurational forces and couples acting on a dynamically evolving fracture process region as well as their balance are studied with special emphasis to microstructure and dissipation. To be able to investigate fracture process regions preceding cracks of mode I, II and III we choose as underlying continuum model the polar and micropolar, respectively, continuum with dislocation motion on the microlevel. As point of departure balance of macroforces, balance of couples and balance of microforces acting on dislocations are postulated. Taking into account results of the second law of thermodynamics the stress power principle for dissipative processes is derived.Applying this principle to a fracture process region evolving dynamically in the reference configuration with variable rotational and crystallographic structure, the configurational forces and couples are derived generalizing the well-known Eshelby tensor. It is shown that the balance law of configurational forces and couples reflects the structure of the postulated balance laws on macro- and microlevel: the balance law of configurational forces and configurational couples are coupled by field variable, while the balance laws of configurational macro- and microforces are coupled only by the form of the free energy. They can be decoupled by corresponding constitutive assumption.Finally, it is shown that the second law of thermodynamics leads to the result that the generalized Eshelby tensor for micropolar continua with dislocation motion consists of a non-dissipative part, derivable from free and kinetic energy, and a dissipative part, derivable from a dissipation pseudo-potential.     

Comments on ‘Simplex space–time meshes in finite element simulations’

Some comments are provided on the citations offered in a recent paper (M. Behr, Int. J. Numer. Meth. Fluids 2008; 57 :1421–1434) that describes space–time finite element computations of advection of ‘Gaussian hills’, including computations with mesh refinement in the time direction. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A preconditioned conjugate gradient Uzawa-type method for the solution of the stokes problem by mixed Q1–P0 stabilized finite elements

We study the behaviour of a conjugate gradient Uzawa-type method for a stabilized finite element approximation of the Stokes problem. Many variants of the Uzawa algorithm have been described for different finite elements satisfying the well-known Inf-Sup condition of Babu?ka and Brezzi, but it is surprising that developments for unstable ‘low-order’ discretizations with stabilization procedures are still missing. Our paper is presented in this context for the popular (so-called) Q1–P0 element. First we show that a simple stabilization technique for this element permits us to retain the property of a convergence factor bounded independently of the discretization mesh size. The second contribution of this work deals with the construction of a less costly preconditioner taking full advantages of the block diagonal structure of the stabilization matrix. Its efficiency is supported by 2D and. 3D numerical results.     

Equivalence of u–p and ζ–ψ formulations of the time-dependent Navier–Stokes equations

This paper deals with the non-stationary incompressible Navier--Stokes equations for two-dimensional flows expressed in terms of the velocity and pressure and of the vorticity and streamfunction. The equivalence of the two formulations is demonstrated, both formally and rigorously, by virtue of a condition of compatibility between the boundary and initial values of the normal component of velocity. This condition is shown to be the only compatibility condition necessary to allow for solutions of a minimal regularity, namely H¹ for the velocity, as in most current numerical schemes relying on spatial discretizations of local type.     

Effects of damping on brake squeal coalescence patterns – application on a finite element model

Brake squeal is referred to, in most publications, as a flutter instability triggered by a mode coupling phenomenon. A lot of clues tend to prove that damping would be a key parameter in brake squeal modelling. This study aims at investigating the effects of damping on coalescence patterns, that is to say on the way the modes couple. A finite element model of the whole brake corner has been used to compute the brake modal behaviour. Then a complex eigenvalue analysis has been undertaken to assess the brake stability as a function of the friction coefficient. Different kinds of damping spreading over the modes have been studied. Two main effects have been noticed: a shifting effect and a smoothing effect. The first one always stabilize the brake, whereas this is not the case of the second one. The combination of the two effects may make the brake more unstable depending on the spreading of the additionnal damping.     

Footbridge between finite volumes and finite elements with applications to CFD

The aim of this paper is to introduce a new algorithm for the discretization of second‐order elliptic operators in the context of finite volume schemes on unstructured meshes. We are strongly motivated by partial differential equations (PDEs) arising in computational fluid dynamics (CFD), like the compressible Navier–Stokes equations. Our technique consists of matching up a finite volume discretization based on a given mesh with a finite element representation on the same mesh. An inverse operator is also built, which has the desirable property that in the absence of diffusion, one recovers exactly the finite volume solution. Numerical results are also provided. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Taylor–least-squares finite element for two-dimensional advection-dominated unsteady advection–diffusion problems

A new finite element method, the Taylor–least-squares, is proposed to approximate the advection-dominated unsteady advection–diffusion equation. The new scheme is a direct generalization of the Taylor–Galerkin and least-squares finite element methods. Higher-order spatial derivatives in the new formulation necessitate higher-degree polynomials. Hermite cubic shape functions are used. Extensive comparisons with other methods in one dimension proved that the new scheme is a step forward in modelling this difficult problem. The method offers straightforward generalizations to higher dimensions without losing the accuracy demonstrated in one dimension, i.e. the method preserves the important property of the Taylor–Galerkin scheme of being free of numerical crosswind diffusion. Several numerical experiments were made in two dimensions and excellent results were obtained from the representative experiments.     

Dynamic interaction of various beams with the underlying soil – finite and infinite, half-space and Winkler models

Various beams lying on the elastic half-space and subjected to a harmonic load are analyzed by a double numerical integration in wavenumber domain. The compliances of the beam–soil systems are presented for a wide frequency range and for a number of realistic parameter sets. Generally, the soil stiffness G has a strong influence on the low-frequency beam compliance whereas the beam parameters EI and m^′ are more important for the high-frequency compliance. An important parameter is the elastic length l=(EI/G)^1/4 of the beam–soil system. Around the corresponding frequency ω_l=v_S/l, the wave velocity of the combined beam–soil system changes from the Rayleigh wave v_R≈v_S to the bending wave velocity v_B and the combined beam–soil wave has typically a strong damping. The interaction frequency ω_l is found not far from the characteristic frequency ω₀=(G/m^′)^1/2 where an amplification compared to the static compliance is observed for special parameter constellations. In contrast, real foundation beams show no resonance effects as they are highly damped by the radiation into the soil. At medium and high frequencies, asymptotes for the compliance of the beam–soil system are found, u/P(ρv_Paiω)^−3/4 in case of the dominating damping and u/P(−m^′ω²)^−3/4 for high frequencies. The low-frequency compliance of the coupled beam–soil system can be approximated by u/P1/Gl, but it also depends weakly on the width a of the foundation. All numerical results of different beam–soil systems are evaluated to yield a unique relation u/P₀=f(a/l). The integral transform method is also applied to ballasted and slab tracks of railway lines, showing the influence of train speed on the deformation of the track beam. The presented results of infinite beams on half-space are compared with results of finite beams and with infinite beams on a Winkler support. Approximating Winkler parameters are given for realistic foundation-soil systems which are useful when vehicle-track interaction is analyzed for the prediction of railway induced vibration.     

Moving finite elements and dynamic vehicle interaction

Elastic “shock” waves emanating from the wheel-rail interface of a train running at a speed close to one of the propagation velocities of the soil may cause great amounts of nuisances to the population. An integrated rigid body – FEM model has been created in order to advance the understanding of these effects and predict the effects of different countermeasures. Usage of a fixed mesh includes more elements than necessary for an accurate solution and limits the analysis to a rather short distance.This paper replaces a large fixed mesh with a smaller mobile grid. A special algorithm has been developed to ensure that the nodes are translated with the same speed as the passing vehicle. The values of fields are updated through an interpolation procedure.Results indicate that a size of about 15 m in front of and behind the wheel-rail interfaces is enough to ensure the same results as the fixed mesh in a fraction of the time. The initial transient phase is followed by a relatively constant wave pattern being transported underneath the train. Waves are shown to be greatly magnified if the speed of the system exceeds the Rayleigh velocity of the top layer of crust.     

Coupled lubrication and Stokes flow finite elements

A method is developed for performing a local reduction of the governing physics for fluid problems with domains that contain a combination of narrow and non‐narrow regions, and the computational accuracy and performance of the method are measured. In the narrow regions of the domain, where the fluid is assumed to have no inertia and the domain height and curvature are assumed small, lubrication, or Reynolds, theory is used locally to reduce the two‐dimensional Navier–Stokes equations to the one‐dimensional Reynolds equation while retaining a high degree of accuracy in the overall solution. The Reynolds equation is coupled to the governing momentum and mass equations of the non‐narrow region with boundary conditions on the mass and momentum flux. The localized reduction technique, termed ‘stitching,’ is demonstrated on Stokes flow for various geometries of the hydrodynamic journal bearing—a non‐trivial test problem for which a known analytical solution is available. The computational advantage of the coupled Stokes–Reynolds method is illustrated on an industrially applicable fully‐flooded deformable‐roll coating example. The examples in this paper are limited to two‐dimensional Stokes flow, but extension to three‐dimensional and Navier–Stokes flow is possible. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A preconditioned semi‐staggered dilation‐free finite volume method for the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations on all‐hexahedral elements

A new semi‐staggered finite volume method is presented for the solution of the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations on all‐quadrilateral (2D)/hexahedral (3D) meshes. The velocity components are defined at element node points while the pressure term is defined at element centroids. The continuity equation is satisfied exactly within each elements. The checkerboard pressure oscillations are prevented using a special filtering matrix as a preconditioner for the saddle‐point problem resulting from second‐order discretization of the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations. The preconditioned saddle‐point problem is solved using block preconditioners with GMRES solver. In order to achieve higher performance FORTRAN source code is based on highly efficient PETSc and HYPRE libraries. As test cases the 2D/3D lid‐driven cavity flow problem and the 3D flow past array of circular cylinders are solved in order to verify the accuracy of the proposed method. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Multiphase flow in heterogeneous porous media: A classical finite element method versus an implicit pressure–explicit saturation‐based mixed finite element–finite volume approach

Various discretization methods exist for the numerical simulation of multiphase flow in porous media. In this paper, two methods are introduced and analyzed—a full‐upwind Galerkin method which belongs to the classical finite element methods, and a mixed‐hybrid finite element method based on an implicit pressure–explicit saturation (IMPES) approach. Both methods are derived from the governing equations of two‐phase flow. Their discretization concepts are compared in detail. Their efficiency is discussed using several examples. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simulating two-dimensional turbulent flow by using the κ–ϵ model and the vorticity–streamfunction formulation

A numerical procedure to solve turbulent flow which makes use of the κ–? model has been developed. The method is based on a control volume finite element method and an unstructured triangular domain discretization. The velocity-pressure coupling is addressed via the vorticity-streamfunction and special attention is given to the boundary conditions for the vorticity. Wall effects are taken into account via wail functions or a low-Reynolds-number model. The latter was found to perform better in recirculation regions. Source terms of the κ and ε transport equations have been linearized in a particular way to avoid non-realistic solutions. The vorticity and streamfunction discretized equations are solved in a coupled way to produce a faster and more stable computational procedure. Comparison between the numerical predictions and experimental data shows that the physics of the flow is correctly simulated.