Characteristic finite element analysis of pattern formation dynamical model in polymerizing actin flocks

To illustrate the characteristic states of actin wave formation numerically, such as, spots, spirals and traveling waves, we propose a finite element method for simulating pattern formation in polymerizing actin flocks. Here we use the traditional Galerkin finite element method to solve the average filament polarization equation, and a mass-conservative characteristic finite element method to solve the density of actin equation, which deals well with the convection-dominated problem and keeps the mass balance globally. We study the convergence of this method and give the corresponding error estimate under some regularity assumptions of the solution. Finally some numerical results show the pattern formation in polymerizing actin flocks.     

Analysis of a finite element PML approximation for the three dimensional time-harmonic Maxwell problem

In our paper [Math. Comp. 76, 2007, 597-614] we considered the acoustic and electromagnetic scattering problems in three spatial dimensions. In particular, we studied a perfectly matched layer (PML) approximation to an electromagnetic scattering problem. We demonstrated both the solvability of the continuous PML approximations and the exponential convergence of the resulting solution to the solution of the original acoustic or electromagnetic problem as the layer increased.

In this paper, we consider finite element approximation of the truncated PML electromagnetic scattering problem. Specifically, we consider approximations which result from the use of Nédélec (edge) finite elements. We show that the resulting finite element problem is stable and gives rise to quasi-optimal convergence when the mesh size is sufficiently small.

     

A new nonconforming finite element with a conforming finite element approximation for a coupled continuum pipe‐flow/Darcy model in Karst aquifers

Numerical method is considered for a coupled continuum pipe‐flow/Darcy model describing flow in porous media with an embedded conduit pipe. A new nonconforming element is constructed to solve the Darcy equation on porous matrix. The existence and uniqueness of the approximation solution are deduced. Optimal error estimates are obtained in and norms. Some numerical examples show the accuracy and efficiency of the presented method. With the same number of nodal‐points and the same amount of computation, the results using the new nonconforming element are much better than those by both conforming element and Wilson nonconforming element on the same mesh. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 32: 778–798, 2016     

A finite element approximation for a class of degenerate elliptic equations

In this paper we exhibit a finite element method fitting a suitable geometry naturally associated with a class of degenerate elliptic equations (usually called Grushin type equations) in a plane region, and we discuss the related error estimates.

     

A mixed finite element approximation of the Navier-Stokes equations

Summary We study in this paper the convergence of a new mixed finite element approximation of the Navier-Stokes equations. This approximation uses low order Lagrange elements, leads to optimal order of convergence for the velocity and the pressure, and induces an efficient numerical algorithm for the solution of this problem.     

Analysis and finite element approximation of a Ladyzhenskaya model for viscous flow in streamfunction form

In this paper we consider a model for the motion of incompressible viscous flows proposed by Ladyzhenskaya. The Ladyzhenskaya model is written in terms of the velocity and pressure while the studied model is written in terms of the streamfunction only. We derived the streamfunction equation of the Ladyzhenskaya model and present a weak formulation and show that this formulation is equivalent to the velocity–pressure formulation. We also present some existence and uniqueness results for the model. Finite element approximation procedures are presented. The discrete problem is proposed to be well posed and stable. Some error estimates are derived. We consider the 2D driven cavity flow problem and provide graphs which illustrate differences between the approximation procedure presented here and the approximation for the streamfunction form of the Navier–Stokes equations. Streamfunction contours are also displayed showing the main features of the flow.     

Mixed finite element approximation of a degenerate elliptic problem

Summary. We present a mixed finite element approximation of an elliptic problem with degenerate coefficients, arising in the study of the electromagnetic field in a resonant structure with cylindrical symmetry. Optimal error bounds are derived. Received May 4, 1994 / Revised version received September 27, 1994     

A practical finite element approximation of a semi-definite Neumann problem on a curved domain

Summary This paper considers the finite element approximation of the semi-definite Neumann problem: –·(u)=f in a curved domain ⁿ (n=2 or 3), on and , a given constant, for dataf andg satisfying the compatibility condition . Due to perturbation of domain errors ( ^h ) the standard Galerkin approximation to the above problem may not have a solution. A remedy is to perturb the right hand side so that a discrete form of the compatibility condition holds. Using this approach we show that for a finite element space defined overD ^h , a union of elements, with approximation powerh ^k in theL ² norm and with dist (, ^h )Ch ^k , one obtains optimal rates of convergence in theH ¹ andL ² norms whether ^h is fitted ( ^h D ^h ) or unfitted ( ^h D ^h ) provided the numerical integration scheme has sufficient accuracy.Partially supported by the National Science Foundation, Grant #DMS-8501397, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research and the Office of Naval Research     

Nonconforming finite element approximation of crystalline microstructure

We consider a class of nonconforming finite element approximations of a simply laminated microstructure which minimizes the nonconvex variational problem for the deformation of martensitic crystals which can undergo either an orthorhombic to monoclinic (double well) or a cubic to tetragonal (triple well) transformation. We first establish a series of error bounds in terms of elastic energies for the approximation of derivatives of the deformation in the direction tangential to parallel layers of the laminate, for the approximation of the deformation, for the weak approximation of the deformation gradient, for the approximation of volume fractions of deformation gradients, and for the approximation of nonlinear integrals of the deformation gradient. We then use these bounds to give corresponding convergence rates for quasi-optimal finite element approximations.

     

On the finite element approximation of a cascade flow problem

Summary The finite element analysis of a cascade flow problem with a given velocity circulation round profiles is presented. The nonlinear problem for the stream function with nonstandard boundary conditions is discretized by conforming linear triangular elements. We deal with the properties of the discrete problem and study the convergence of the method both for polygonal and nonpolygonal domains, including the effect of numerical integration.     

Turing pattern formation in a three species model with generalist predator and cross-diffusion

In a natural ecosystem, specialist predators feed almost exclusively on one species of prey. But generalist predators feed on many types of species. Consequently, their dynamics is not coupled to the dynamics of a specific prey population. However, the defense of prey formed by congregating made the predator tend to move in the direction of lower concentration of prey species. This is described by cross-diffusion in a generalist predator–prey model. First, the positive equilibrium solution is globally asymptotically stable for the ODE system and for the reaction–diffusion system without cross-diffusion, respectively, hence it does not belong to the classical Turing instability scheme. But it becomes linearly unstable only when cross-diffusion also plays a role. This implies that cross–diffusion can lead to the occurrence and disappearance of the instability. Our results exhibit some interesting combining effects of cross-diffusion, predations and intra-species interactions. Furthermore, we consider the existence and non-existence results concerning non-constant positive steady states (patterns) of the system. We demonstrate that cross-diffusion can create non-constant positive steady-state solutions.     

Finite element approximation of a prestressed shell model

This work deals with the finite element approximation of a prestressed shell model formulated in Cartesian coordinates system. The considered constrained variational problem is not necessarily positive. Moreover, because of the constraint, it cannot be discretized by conforming finite element methods. A penalized version of the model and its discretization are then proposed. We prove existence and uniqueness results of solutions for the continuous and discrete problems, and we derive optimal a priori error estimates. Numerical tests that validate and illustrate our approach are given.     

A minimal model of pattern formation in a prey-predator system

The spatio-temporal dynamics of a prey-predator community is described by two reaction-diffusion equations. It is shown that for a class of initial conditions the spatio-temporal system dynamics resembles a “phase transition” between a regular and an irregular phase, separated by a moving boundary. A simple approach to specify spatio-temporal chaos is proposed.     

Mixed finite element approximation of eddy current problems

Finite element approximations of eddy current problems thatare entirely based on the magnetic field H are haunted by theneed to enforce the algebraic constraint curl H=0 in non-conductingregions. As an alternative to techniques employing combinatorialSeifert (cutting) surfaces, in order to introduce a scalar magneticpotential we propose mixed multi-field formulations, which enforcethe constraint in the variational formulation. In light of thefact that the computation of cutting surfaces is expensive,the mixed finite element approximation is a viable option despitethe increased number of unknowns.     

Quadratic finite element approximation of the Signorini problem

Applying high order finite elements to unilateral contact variational inequalities may provide more accurate computed solutions, compared with linear finite elements. Up to now, there was no significant progress in the mathematical study of their performances. The main question is involved with the modeling of the nonpenetration Signorini condition on the discrete solution along the contact region. In this work we describe two nonconforming quadratic finite element approximations of the Poisson-Signorini problem, responding to the crucial practical concern of easy implementation, and we present the numerical analysis of their efficiency. By means of Falk's Lemma we prove optimal and quasi-optimal convergence rates according to the regularity of the exact solution.

     

Error analysis for a finite element approximation of a thermoviscoelastic contact problem

In this article, a finite element approximation, based on a variational inequality, to the solution of a one-dimensional quasi-static Signorini contact problem in linear thermoviscoelasticity is proposed. Stability and error estimates are obtained.     

An error bound for the finite element approximation of a model for phase separation of a multi-component alloy

An error bound is proved for a fully practical piecewise linearfinite element approximation, using a backward-Euler time discretization,of a model for phase separation of a multi-component alloy.Numerical experiments with three components in one and two spacedimensions are also presented.     

Mixed finite element approximation of the vector potential

Summary We consider a mixed finite element approximation of the three dimensional vector potential, which plays an important rôle in the simulation of perfect fluids and in the calculation of rotational corrections to transonic potential flows. The central point of our approach is a saddlepoint formulation of the essential boundary conditions. In particular, this avoids the wellknown Babuka paradox when approximating smooth domains by polyhedrons. Using piecewise linear/piecewise constant elements for the vector potential/the boundary terms, we obtain optimal error estimates under minimal regularity assumptions for the solution of the continuous problem.