Configurational-force-based structural updates and adaptive remeshing strategies

The application of configurational forces in h -adaptive strategies for fracture mechanics and inelasticity is investigated. Starting from a global Clausius-Planck inequality, dual equilibrium conditions are derived by means of a Coleman-type exploitation method. The remaining reduced dissipation inequality is used for the derivation of evolution equations for the internal variables. In fracture mechanics, crack loading conditions as well as a normality rule for the crack propagation are obtained. In the discrete setting, the crack propagation is governed by a configurational-force-driven update of the geometry model. The material balance equation is used to set up a h -adaptive refinement indicator. A relative global criterion is defined used for the decision on mesh refinement. In addition, a criterion on the element level is evaluated controlling the local refinement procedure. The capability of the proposed procedures is demonstrated by means of numerical examples. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Configurational–Force–Based Adaptive Methods in Nonlocal Gradient-Type Inelastic Solids

We propose a configurational-force-based framework for h-adaptive finite element discretizations of solids with nonlocal, gradient-type constitutive response. Typical applications are related to gradient-type damage mechanics, strain gradient plasticity and regularized brittle fracture. On the theoretical side, we outline a general incremental variational framework for the multifield problem of gradient-type dissipative solids, where generalized internal variable fields account for the current state of evolving microstructures. The Euler equations of the multifield variational principle define the macroscopic balance of momentum along with balance-type evolution equations for the generalized internal variables in the physical space as well as the balance of configurational forces in the material space. We propose a staggered computational scheme for satisfying those balances in both the physical as well as the material space. The coupled micro- and macro-structural balances of momentum and internal variables provide a solution in the physical space for a given finite element mesh. The balance in the material space is then used to provide an indicator for the quality of the finite element mesh and accounts for a subsequent h-type mesh refinement. Such a configurational-force-based approach provides in a natural and unified format mesh refinement indicators for a broad class of complex nonlocal problems. This framework is applied to damage-type regularized brittle fracture. (© 2009 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Strategies for the Computation of Configurational Forces in Dissipative Media

Configurational forces can be interpreted as driving forces on material inhomogeneities such as crack tips. In dissipative media the total configurational force on an inhomogeneity consists of an elastic contribution and a contribution due to the dissipative processes in the material. For the computation of discrete configurational forces acting at the nodes of a finite element mesh, the elastic and dissipative contributions must be evaluated at integration point level. While the evaluation of the elastic contribution is straightforward, the evaluation of the dissipative part is faced with certain difficulties. This is because gradients of internal variables are necessary in order to compute the dissipative part of the configurational force. For the sake of efficiency, these internal variables are usually treated as local history data at integration point level in finite element (FE) implementations. Thus, the history data needs to be projected to the nodes of the FE mesh in order to compute the gradients by means of shape function interpolations of nodal data as it is standard practice. However, this is a rather cumbersome method which does not easily integrate into standard finite element frameworks. An alternative approach which facilitates the computation of gradients of local history data is investigated in this work. This approach is based on the definition of subelements within the elements of the FE mesh and allows for a straightforward integration of the configurational force computation into standard finite element software. The suitability and the numerical accuracy of different projection approaches and the subelement technique are discussed and analyzed exemplarily within the context of a crystal plasticity model. (© 2014 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

On Configurational-Force-Driven Crack Propagation and Adaptive Mesh Refinement in Finite Inelasticity

We introduce a consistent variational framework for inelasticity at finite strains, yielding dual balances in physical and material space as the Euler equations. The formulation is employed for the simultaneous usage of configurational forces as both driving forces for crack propagation as well as h-adaptive mesh refinement. The theoretical basis builds upon a global balance of internal and external power, where the mechanical response is exclusively governed by two scalar functions, the free energy function and a dissipation potential. The resulting variational structure is exploited in the context of fracture mechanics and yields evolution equations for internal variables. In the discrete setting, we present a geometry model fully separated from the finite element mesh structure that represents structural changes of the material configuration due to crack propagation. Advanced meshing algorithms provide an optimal discretization at the crack tip. Local and global criteria are obtained via error estimators based on configurational forces being interpreted as indicators of an energetic misfit due to an insufficient discretization. The numerical handling is decomposed into a staggered algorithm scheme for the dual set of equilibrium equations in material and physical space and efficient mesh generation tools. Exemplary numerical examples are considered to illustrate the method and to underline the effects of inelastic material behaviour in the presented context. (© 2013 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Computation of Material Forces in Thermoplasticity Based on Alternative Smoothing Algorithms

Different approaches to the computation of material forces in inelastic structures are investigated. Dissipative effects in inelastic materials are described by internal variables. The formulation of balance equations in the material space requires the computation of gradients of these internal variables. The computational evaluation of these gradients in the context of finite element simulations needs a global representation of the internal variable fields. On the one side, this request can be carried out by a global formulation that discretizes the internal variable fields in terms of nodal degrees additional to the displacements. A numerically more effective approach applies smoothing algorithms which project the internal variables of a typical local formulation from the integration points onto the nodal points. In detail, the implementation of two smoothing algorithms for the computation of material forces is dicussed. The L2–projection necessiates the solution of a system of equations on the global level. A patch recovery yields a smoothed solution from an element patch surrounding the nodal point of interest. The performance of both algorithms is compared for the material force computation in finite thermoplasticity. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Exploitation of Configurational Forces in Extended Nonlocal Continua with Microstructure

We investigate aspects of the application of configurational forces in extended nonlocal continua with microstructure. Focussing on multifield approaches to gradient–type inelastic solids, the coupled problem is governed by the macroscopic deformation field, while nonlocal inelastic effects on the microstructure are described by a family of order parameter fields. The dual macro– and micro–field equations are derived within an incremental variational framework. Using an incremental principle, due to the variation with respect to the material position, an additional balance in the material space appears with the dual macro–micro–balances in the physical space. In view of the numerical implementation of this coupled problem by a finite element method, the incremental variational framework is recast into a discrete format in terms of discrete macro– and micro–physical nodal forces and configurational nodal forces. Applying a staggered solution scheme, the configurational branch is used as a postprocessing procedure with all the ingredients known from the solution of the coupled macro–micro–problem. The procedure is implemented for a nonlocal, viscous damage model. The consequences with regard to the configurational nodal forces are assessed by means of a numerical example. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A second order finite difference error indicator for adaptive transonic flow computations

Summary. An adaptive finite element method for the calculation of transonic potential flows was developed. An error indicator based on first order finite differences of gradients is introduced as a local error estimator. It measures second order distributional derivatives. Estimates involving this error estimator, a residual and the error are given. The error estimator can be used as a criterion for mesh refinement. We also give some computational results. Received September 16, 1993 / Revised version received June 7, 1994     

Multilevel diagonal scaling preconditioners for boundary element equations on locally refined meshes

Summary. We study a multilevel preconditioner for the Galerkin boundary element matrix arising from a symmetric positive-definite bilinear form. The associated energy norm is assumed to be equivalent to a Sobolev norm of positive, possibly fractional, order m on a bounded (open or closed) surface of dimension d, with . We consider piecewise linear approximation on triangular elements. Successive levels of the mesh are created by selectively subdividing elements within local refinement zones. Hanging nodes may be created and the global mesh ratio can grow exponentially with the number of levels. The coarse-grid correction consists of an exact solve, and the correction on each finer grid amounts to a simple diagonal scaling involving only those degrees of freedom whose associated nodal basis functions overlap the refinement zone. Under appropriate assumptions on the choice of refinement zones, the condition number of the preconditioned system is shown to be bounded by a constant independent of the number of degrees of freedom, the number of levels and the global mesh ratio. In addition to applying to Galerkin discretisation of hypersingular boundary integral equations, the theory covers finite element methods for positive-definite, self-adjoint elliptic problems with Dirichlet boundary conditions. Received October 5, 2001 / Revised version received December 5, 2001 / Published online April 17, 2002 The support of this work through Visiting Fellowship grant GR/N21970 from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council of Great Britain is gratefully acknowledged. The second author was also supported by the Australian Research Council     

Explicit local time-stepping methods for Maxwell’s equations

Explicit local time-stepping methods are derived for time dependent Maxwell equations in conducting and non-conducting media. By using smaller time steps precisely where smaller elements in the mesh are located, these methods overcome the bottleneck caused by local mesh refinement in explicit time integrators. When combined with a finite element discretisation in space with an essentially diagonal mass matrix, the resulting discrete time-marching schemes are fully explicit and thus inherently parallel. In a non-conducting source-free medium they also conserve a discrete energy, which provides a rigorous criterion for stability. Starting from the standard leap-frog scheme, local time-stepping methods of arbitrarily high accuracy are derived for non-conducting media. Numerical experiments with a discontinuous Galerkin discretisation in space validate the theory and illustrate the usefulness of the proposed time integration schemes.     

Local Multigrid in H（curl）

We consider H（curl, Ω）-elliptic variational problems on bounded Lipschitz polyhedra and their finite element Galerkin discretization by means of lowest order edge elements. We assume that the underlying tetrahedral mesh has been created by successive local mesh refinement, either by local uniform refinement with hanging nodes or bisection refinement. In this setting we develop a convergence theory for the the so-called local multigrid correction scheme with hybrid smoothing. We establish that its convergence rate is uniform with respect to the number of refinement steps. The proof relies on corresponding results for local multigrid in a H^1 （Ω）-context along with local discrete Helmholtz-type decompositions of the edge element space.     

On regularization in parameter-free shape optimization

This contribution is concerned with a parameter-free approach to computational shape optimization of mechanically-loaded structures. Thereby the term ’parameter-free’ refers to approaches in shape optimization in which the design variables are not derived from an existing CAD-parametrization of the model geometry but rather from its finite element discretization. One of the major challenges in using this type of approach is the avoidance of oscillating boundaries in the optimal design trials. This difficulty is mainly attributed to a lack of smoothness of the objective sensitivities and the relatively high number of design variables within the parameter-free regime. To compensate for these deficiencies, Azegami introduced the concept of the so-called traction method, in which the actual design update is deduced from the deformation of a fictitious continuum that is loaded in proportion to the negative shape gradient. We investigate a discrete variant of the traction method, in which the design sensitivities are computed with respect to variations of the design nodes for a given finite element mesh rather than on the abstract level by means of the speed method. Moreover, the design update process is accompanied by adaptive mesh refinement based on discrete material residual forces. Therein, we consider radaptive node relocation as well as hadaptive mesh refinement. (© 2014 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

EXTRAPOLATION OF BILINEAR FINITE ELEMENT SOLUTION WITH LOCAL REFINEMENT MESH

For the less smooth solution caused by the reentrant domain it is shown that one step of extrapolation increases the order of bilinear finite element solution from 2 to 3 when the rectangular mesh satisfies certain local refinement condition.     

Convergence analysis of an adaptive nonconforming finite element method

An adaptive nonconforming finite element method is developed and analyzed that provides an error reduction due to the refinement process and thus guarantees convergence of the nonconforming finite element approximations. The analysis is carried out for the lowest order Crouzeix-Raviart elements and leads to the linear convergence of an appropriate adaptive nonconforming finite element algorithm with respect to the number of refinement levels. Important tools in the convergence proof are a discrete local efficiency and a quasi-orthogonality property. The proof does neither require regularity of the solution nor uses duality arguments. As a consequence on the data control, no particular mesh design has to be monitored. Supported by the DFG Research Center MATHEON ``Mathematics for key technologies' in Berlin.     

An optimally convergent adaptive mixed finite element method

We prove convergence and optimal complexity of an adaptive mixed finite element algorithm, based on the lowest-order Raviart–Thomas finite element space. In each step of the algorithm, the local refinement is either performed using simple edge residuals or a data oscillation term, depending on an adaptive marking strategy. The inexact solution of the discrete system is controlled by an adaptive stopping criterion related to the estimator.     

Nitsche type mortaring for elliptic problems with corner singularities

The paper deals with Nitsche type mortaring as a finite element method (FEM) for treating non‐matching meshes of triangles at the interface of some domain decomposition. The approach is applied to the Poisson equation with Dirichlet conditions for the case that the interface passes re‐entrant corners of the domain and local mesh refinement is applied. Some properties of the finite element scheme and error estimates in a discrete H¹‐like and in the L₂‐norm are proved.     

A shock indicator for adaptive transonic flow computations

Summary An adaptive finite element method for the calculation of transonic potential flows was developed. A residual based error indicator is complemented by a shock indicator. For a good shock resolution mesh refinement as well as moving nodes were needed. An analysis of the method and computational results are given.The research reported in this article was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and the Volkswagen-Stiftung     

Sensitivities for topological graph changes in finite element meshes and application to adaptive refinement

We propose a novel approach to adaptivity in FEM based on local sensitivities for topological mesh changes. To this end, we consider refinement as a continuous operation on the edge graph of the finite element discretization, for instance by splitting nodes along edges and expanding edges to elements. Thereby, we introduce the concept of a topological mesh derivative for a given objective function that depends on the discrete solution of the underlying PDE. These sensitivities may in turn be used as refinement indicators within an adaptive algorithm. For their calculation, we rely on the first-order asymptotic expansion of the Galerkin solution with respect to the topological mesh change. As a proof of concept, we consider the total potential energy of a linear symmetric second-order elliptic PDE, minimization of which is known to decrease the approximation error in the energy norm. In this case, our approach yields local sensitivities that are closely related to the reduction of the energy error upon refinement and may therefore be used as refinement indicators in an adaptive algorithm. (© 2014 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Configurational-Force-Based Adaptive FE Solver for a Phase Field Model of Fracture

The computational modeling of failure mechanisms in solids due to fracture based on sharp crack discontinuities suffers in situations with complex crack topologies. This can be overcome by diffusive crack modeling, based on the introduction of a crack phase field as outlined in [1, 2]. Following these formulations, we outline a thermodynamically consistent framework for phase field models of crack propagation in elastic solids, develop incremental variational principles and, as an extension to [1, 2], consider their numerical implementations by an efficient h-adaptive finite element method. A key problem of the phase field formulation is the mesh density, which is required for the resolution of the diffusive crack patterns. To this end, we embed the computational framework into an adaptive mesh refinement strategy that resolves the fracture process zones. We construct a configurational-force-based framework for h-adaptive finite element discretizations of the gradient-type diffusive fracture model. We develop a staggered computational scheme for the solution of the coupled balances in physical and material space. The balance in the material space is then used to set up indicators for the quality of the finite element mesh and accounts for a subsequent h-type mesh refinement. The capability of the proposed method is demonstrated by means of a numerical example. (© 2010 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

抛物方程初边值问题连续有限元的超收敛性

研究了一类一维抛物方程初边值问题的连续有限元方法.在空间上进行任意m次有限元半离散,在时间方向上进行二次连续有限元后,获得了一个稳定的全离散计算格式.利用单元分析法校正技术的新思想进行理论分析,连续有限元解在剖分网格节点上具有超收敛性.     

Adaptive refinement procedure for the finite difference method

An adaptive refinement procedure consisting of a localized error estimator and a physically based approach to mesh refinement is developed for the finite difference method. The error estimator is a variation of a successful finite element error estimator. The errors are estimated by computing an error energy norm in terms of discontinuous and continuous stress fields formed from the finite difference results for plane stress problems. The error measure identifies regions of high error which are subsequently refined to improve the result. The local refinement procedure utilizes a recently developed approach for developing finite difference templates to produce a graduated mesh. The adaptive refinement procedure is demonstrated with a problem that contains a well-defined singularity. The results are compared to finite element and uniformly refined finite difference results.