Time harmonic wave diffraction problems in materials with sign-shifting coefficients

Some electromagnetic materials present, in a given frequency range, an effective dielectric permittivity and/or magnetic permeability which are negative. We are interested in the reunion of such a “negative” material and a classical one. More precisely, we consider here a scalar model problem for the simulation of a wave transmission between two such materials. This model is governed by a Helmholtz equation with a weight function in the Δ principal part which takes positive and negative real values. Introducing additional unknowns, we have already proposed in Bonnet-Ben Dhia et al. (2006) [1] some new variational formulations of this problem, which are of Fredholm type provided the absolute value of the contrast of permittivities is large enough, and therefore suitable for a finite element discretization. We prove here that, under similar conditions on the contrast, the natural variational formulation of the problem, although not “coercive plus compact”, is nonetheless suitable for a finite element discretization. This leads to a numerical approach which is straightforward, less costly than the previous ones, and very accurate.     

Semi‐analytical integration of the elastic stiffness matrix of an axisymmetric eight‐noded finite element

The finite element method (FEM) is a numerical method for approximate solution of partial differential equations with appropriate boundary conditions. This work describes a methodology for generating the elastic stiffness matrix of an axisymmetric eight‐noded finite element with the help of Computer Algebra Systems. The approach is described as “semi analytical” because the formulation mimics the steps taken using Gaussian numerical integration techniques. The semianalytical subroutines developed herein run 50[percnt] faster than the conventional Gaussian integration approach. The routines, which are made publically available for download,¹ should help FEM researchers and engineers by providing significant reductions of CPU times when dealing with large finite element models. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 2010     

An optimal‐order error estimate on an H1‐Galerkin mixed method for a nonlinear parabolic equation in porous medium flow

We present an H¹‐Galerkin mixed finite element method for a nonlinear parabolic equation, which models a compressible fluid flow process in subsurface porous media. The method possesses the advantages of mixed finite element methods while avoiding directly inverting the permeability tensor, which is important especially in a low permeability zone. We conducted theoretical analysis to study the existence and uniqueness of the numerical solutions of the scheme and prove an optimal‐order error estimate for the method. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2010     

A low order anisotropic nonconforming characteristic finite element method for a convection-dominated transport problem

A low order anisotropic nonconforming rectangular finite element method for the convection-diffusion problem with a modified characteristic finite element scheme is studied in this paper. The O(h²) order error estimate in L²-norm with respect to the space, one order higher than the expanded characteristic-mixed finite element scheme with order O(h), and the same as the conforming case for a modified characteristic finite element scheme under regular meshes, is obtained by use of some distinct properties of the interpolation operator and the mean value technique, instead of the so-called elliptic projection, which is an indispensable tool in the convergence analysis of the previous literature. Lastly, some numerical results of the element are provided to verify our theoretical analysis.     

A weak Galerkin finite element method for the stokes equations

This paper introduces a weak Galerkin (WG) finite element method for the Stokes equations in the primal velocity-pressure formulation. This WG method is equipped with stable finite elements consisting of usual polynomials of degree k≥1 for the velocity and polynomials of degree k?1 for the pressure, both are discontinuous. The velocity element is enhanced by polynomials of degree k?1 on the interface of the finite element partition. All the finite element functions are discontinuous for which the usual gradient and divergence operators are implemented as distributions in properly-defined spaces. Optimal-order error estimates are established for the corresponding numerical approximation in various norms. It must be emphasized that the WG finite element method is designed on finite element partitions consisting of arbitrary shape of polygons or polyhedra which are shape regular.     

Analysis of multiscale finite element method for the stationary Navier-Stokes equations

In this work, a multiscale finite element method is proposed for the stationary incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. And the inf-sup stability of the method for the P₁/P₁ triangular element is established. The optimal error estimates are obtained.     

Analysis for one-dimensional time-fractional Tricomi-type equations by LDG methods

In this paper, we consider the local discontinuous Galerkin (LDG) finite element method for one-dimensional linear time-fractional Tricomi-type equation (TFTTE), which is obtained from the standard one-dimensional linear Tricomi-type equation by replacing the first-order time derivative with a fractional derivative (of order α, with 1?<?α?≤?2). The proposed LDG is based on LDG finite element method for space and finite difference method for time. We prove that the method is unconditionally stable, and the numerical solution converges to the exact one with order O(h ^k?+?1?+?τ ²), where h, τ and k are the space step size, time step size, polynomial degree, respectively. The comparison of the LDG results with the exact solutions is made, numerical experiments reveal that the LDG is very effective.     

L ∞-error estimates of triangular mixed finite element methods for optimal control problems governed by semilinear elliptic equations

We look at L ^∞-error estimates for convex quadratic optimal control problems governed by nonlinear elliptic partial differential equations. In so doing, use is made of mixed finite element methods. The state and costate are approximated by the lowest order Raviart-Thomas mixed finite element spaces, and the control, by piecewise constant functions. L ^∞-error estimates of optimal order are derived for a mixed finite element approximation of a semilinear elliptic optimal control problem. Finally, numerical tests are presented which confirm our theoretical results.     

Interpolation error estimates for mean value coordinates over convex polygons

In a similar fashion to estimates shown for Harmonic, Wachspress, and Sibson coordinates in Gillette et al. (Adv Comput Math 37(3), 417–439, 2012), we prove interpolation error estimates for the mean value coordinates on convex polygons suitable for standard finite element analysis. Our analysis is based on providing a uniform bound on the gradient of the mean value functions for all convex polygons of diameter one satisfying certain simple geometric restrictions. This work makes rigorous an observed practical advantage of the mean value coordinates: unlike Wachspress coordinates, the gradients of the mean value coordinates do not become large as interior angles of the polygon approach π.     

Adaptive Numerical Treatment of Elliptic Systems on Manifolds

Adaptive multilevel finite element methods are developed and analyzed for certain elliptic systems arising in geometric analysis and general relativity. This class of nonlinear elliptic systems of tensor equations on manifolds is first reviewed, and then adaptive multilevel finite element methods for approximating solutions to this class of problems are considered in some detail. Two a posteriori error indicators are derived, based on local residuals and on global linearized adjoint or dual problems. The design of Manifold Code (MC) is then discussed; MC is an adaptive multilevel finite element software package for 2- and 3-manifolds developed over several years at Caltech and UC San Diego. It employs a posteriori error estimation, adaptive simplex subdivision, unstructured algebraic multilevel methods, global inexact Newton methods, and numerical continuation methods for the numerical solution of nonlinear covariant elliptic systems on 2- and 3-manifolds. Some of the more interesting features of MC are described in detail, including some new ideas for topology and geometry representation in simplex meshes, and an unusual partition of unity-based method for exploiting parallel computers. A short example is then given which involves the Hamiltonian and momentum constraints in the Einstein equations, a representative nonlinear 4-component covariant elliptic system on a Riemannian 3-manifold which arises in general relativity. A number of operator properties and solvability results recently established in [55] are first summarized, making possible two quasi-optimal a priori error estimates for Galerkin approximations which are then derived. These two results complete the theoretical framework for effective use of adaptive multilevel finite element methods. A sample calculation using the MC software is then presented; more detailed examples using MC for this application may be found in [26].     

A finite element method scheme for boundary value problems with noncoordinated degeneration of input data

A finite element method scheme is constructed for boundary value problems with noncoordinated degeneration of input data and singularity of a solution. We look at a rate with which an approximate solution by the proposed finite element method converges toward an exact R _ν -generalized solution in the weight set W _2,ν*+β ^2+1/1 (Ω, δ), and establish estimates for the finite element approximation.     

Complexity of differential and integral equations

We are interested in the intrinsic difficulty (or complexity) of computing an approximate solution of the linear operator equation Lu = f. Practical examples of such problems include the cases where L is a known partial differential or integral operator. Problems of the form Lu = f are typically solved under the constraint that only partial information about f is available, such as the values of a finite number of inner products, or the values of f at a finite number of points. It is of interest to determine when algorithms which are in wide use are optimal algorithms, i.e., algorithms which produce an approximation with minimal cost. We are especially interested in determining conditions which are necessary and sufficient for the finite element method (FEM) to be optimal. For the cases of elliptic partial differential equations and of Fredholm integral equations of the second kind, we describe such a condition, in the form of an inequality involving the order of the problem and the degree of the finite element subspace. Suppose this inequality is violated; is the nonoptimality of the FEM inherent in the information used by the FEM, or is it because the FEM uses this information in a nonoptimal manner? The latter is the case; there always exists an algorithm using this information which is optimal. We also discuss the situation in which the information used by the finite element method (which consists of inner products) is not available. Suppose that the only admissible information about f consists of evaluations of f. In the case of the Fredholm problem of the second kind, this information is optimal; moreover, a finite element method in which the inner products are approximated by quadrature rules is an optimal algorithm. However there exist elliptic problems of positive order for which this new information is nonoptimal.     

A boundary parametric approximation to the linearized scalar potential magnetostatic field problem

We consider the linearized scalar potential formulation of the magnetostatic field problem in this paper. Our approach involves a reformulation of the continuous problem as a parametric boundary problem. By the introduction of a spherical interface and the use of spherical harmonics, the infinite boundary conditions can also be satisfied in the parametric framework. That is the field in the exterior of a sphere is expanded in a ‘harmonic series’ of eigenfunctions for the exterior harmonic problem. The approach is essentially a finite element method coupled with a spectral method via a boundary parametric procedure. The reformulated problem is discretized by finite element techniques which leads to a discrete parametric problem which can be solved by well conditioned iteration involving only the solution of decoupled Neumann type elliptic finite element systems and L² projection onto subspaces of spherical harmonics. Error and stability estimates given show exponential convergence in the degree of the spherical harmonics and optimal order convergence with respect to the finite element approximation for the resulting fields in L².     

A posteriori error estimates for the coupling equations of scalar conservation laws

In this paper we prove a posteriori L ₂(L ₂) and L _∞(H ^?1) residual based error estimates for a finite element method for the one-dimensional time dependent coupling equations of two scalar conservation laws. The underlying discretization scheme is Characteristic Galerkin method which is the particular variant of the Streamline diffusion finite element method for δ=0. Our estimate contains certain strong stability factors related to the solution of an associated linearized dual problem combined with the Galerkin orthogonality of the finite element method. The stability factor measures the stability properties of the linearized dual problem. We compute the stability factors for some examples by solving the dual problem numerically.     

Higher ordermixed finite element approximation of subsurface water flow

This paper focuses on the reliable and efficient numerical approximation of subsurface water flows. The locally mass conservative B rezzi- D ouglas- M arini ( BDM ₁) mixed finite element method is considered and compared to a lowest order R aviart– T homas ( RT ₀) mixed finite element approach and a M ulti P oint F lux A pproximation. Appreciable advantage of the BDM₁ element is that it yields a formally second order accurate flux approximation whereas the RT₀ and MPFA approach are of first order accuracy only. The problem to be analyzed in this work is whether a superiority of the BDM₁ element can also be observed in reservoir simulation where discontinuous and full permeability tensors on non-uniform grids arise and the fluxes lack the regularity that is assumed customarily in optimal order error analyses. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

On the coupling of LDG-FEM and BEM methods for the three dimensional magnetostatic problem

We present two new coupling models for the three dimensional magnetostatic problem. In the first model, we propose a new coupled formulation, prove that it is well posed and solves Maxwell’s equations in the whole space. In the second, we propose a new coupled formulation for the Local Discontinuous Galerkin method, the finite element method and the boundary element method. This formulation is obtained by coupling the LDG method inside a bounded domain Ω₁ with the FEM method inside a layer where Ω is a bounded domain which is made up of material of permeability μ and such that , and with a boundary element method involving Calderon’s equations. We prove that our formulation is consistent and well posed and we present some a priori error estimates for the method.     

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.     

Finite element solution of a linear mixed-type functional differential equation

This paper is devoted to the approximate solution of a linear first-order functional differential equation which involves delayed and advanced arguments. We seek a solution x, defined for t?∈?(0, k???1],(k?∈?IN ), which takes given values on the intervals [???1, 0] and (k???1, k]. Continuing the work started in previous articles on this subject, we introduce and analyse a computational algorithm based on the finite element method for the solution of this problem which is applicable both in the case of constant and variable coefficients. Numerical results are presented and compared with the results obtained by other methods.     

Topological,affine and isometric actions on flat riemannian manifolds II

Explicit examples of finite subgroups of the group of homotopy classes of self-homotopy equivalences of some flat Riemannian manifolds which cannot be lifted to effective actions are given. It is also shown that no finite subgroups of the kernel of π₀(Homeo(M))→Out π₁(M) can be lifted back to Homeo(M), for a large class of flat manifolds M. Some results of an earlier paper by the authors are refined and related to recent work of R. Schoen and S.T. Yau.     

A coupling method based on new MFE and FE for fourth-order parabolic equation

In this article, a coupling method of new mixed finite element (MFE) and finite element (FE) is proposed and analyzed for fourth-order parabolic partial differential equation. First, the fourth-order parabolic equation is split into the coupled system of second-order equations. Then, an equation is solved by finite element method, the other equation is approximated by the new mixed finite element method, whose flux belongs to the square integrable space replacing the classical H(div;Ω) space. The stability for fully discrete scheme is derived, and both semi-discrete and fully discrete error estimates are obtained. Moreover, the optimal a priori error estimates in L ² and H ¹-norm for both the scalar unknown u and the diffusion term γ and a priori error estimate in (L ²)²-norm for its flux σ are derived. Finally, some numerical results are provided to validate our theoretical analysis.