Patch‐wise local projection stabilized finite element methods for convection–diffusion–reaction problems

In this article, we develop patch‐wise local projection‐stabilized conforming and nonconforming finite element methods for the convection–diffusion–reaction problems. It is a composition of the standard Galerkin finite element method, the patch‐wise local projection stabilization, and weakly imposed Dirichlet boundary conditions on the discrete solution. In this paper, a priori error analysis is established with respect to a patch‐wise local projection norm for the conforming and the nonconforming finite element methods. The numerical experiments confirm the efficiency of the proposed stabilization technique and validate the theoretical convergence rates.     

Stability of a combined finite element ‐ finite volume discretization of convection‐diffusion equations

We consider a time‐dependent and a stationary convection‐diffusion equation. These equations are approximated by a combined finite element – finite volume method: the diffusion term is discretized by Crouzeix‐Raviart piecewise linear finite elements on a triangular grid, and the convection term by upwind barycentric finite volumes. In the nonstationary case, we use an implicit Euler approach for time discretization. This scheme is shown to be L²‐stable uniformly with respect to the diffusion coefficient. In addition, it turns out that stability is unconditional in the time‐dependent case. These results hold if the underlying grid satisfies a condition that is fulfilled, for example, by some structured meshes. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 28: 402–424, 2012     

A combined finite volume–nonconforming/mixed-hybrid finite element scheme for degenerate parabolic problems

We propose and analyze a numerical scheme for nonlinear degenerate parabolic convection–diffusion–reaction equations in two or three space dimensions. We discretize the diffusion term, which generally involves an inhomogeneous and anisotropic diffusion tensor, over an unstructured simplicial mesh of the space domain by means of the piecewise linear nonconforming (Crouzeix–Raviart) finite element method, or using the stiffness matrix of the hybridization of the lowest-order Raviart–Thomas mixed finite element method. The other terms are discretized by means of a cell-centered finite volume scheme on a dual mesh, where the dual volumes are constructed around the sides of the original mesh. Checking the local Péclet number, we set up the exact necessary amount of upstream weighting to avoid spurious oscillations in the convection-dominated case. This technique also ensures the validity of the discrete maximum principle under some conditions on the mesh and the diffusion tensor. We prove the convergence of the scheme, only supposing the shape regularity condition for the original mesh. We use a priori estimates and the Kolmogorov relative compactness theorem for this purpose. The proposed scheme is robust, only 5-point (7-point in space dimension three), locally conservative, efficient, and stable, which is confirmed by numerical experiments.This work was supported by the GdR MoMaS, CNRS-2439, ANDRA, BRGM, CEA, EdF, France.     

A positive cell vertex Godunov scheme for a Beeler–Reuter based model of cardiac electrical activity

The monodomain model is a widely used model in electrocardiology to simulate the propagation of electrical potential in the myocardium. In this paper, we investigate a positive nonlinear control volume finite element scheme, based on Godunov's flux approximation of the diffusion term, for the monodomain model coupled to a physiological ionic model (the Beeler–Reuter model) and using an anisotropic diffusion tensor. In this scheme, degrees of freedom are assigned to vertices of a primal triangular mesh, as in conforming finite element methods. The diffusion term which involves an anisotropic tensor is discretized on a dual mesh using the diffusion fluxes provided by the conforming finite element reconstruction on the primal mesh and the other terms are discretized by means of an upwind finite volume method on the dual mesh. The scheme ensures the validity of the discrete maximum principle without any restriction on the transmissibility coefficients. By using a compactness argument, we obtain the convergence of the discrete solution and as a consequence, we get the existence of a weak solution of the original model. Finally, we illustrate by numerical simulations that the proposed scheme successfully removes nonphysical oscillations in the propagation of the wavefront and maintains conduction velocity close to physiological values.     

Numerical and theoretical study of weak Galerkin finite element solutions of Turing patterns in reaction–diffusion systems

In this paper, we introduce numerical schemes and their analysis based on weak Galerkin finite element framework for solving 2‐D reaction–diffusion systems. Weak Galerkin finite element method (WGFEM) for partial differential equations relies on the concept of weak functions and weak gradients, in which differential operators are approximated by weak forms through the Green's theorem. This method allows the use of totally discontinuous functions in the approximation space. In the current work, the WGFEM solves reaction–diffusion systems to find unknown concentrations (u, v) in element interiors and boundaries in the weak Galerkin finite element space WG(P₀, P₀, RT₀) . The WGFEM is used to approximate the spatial variables and the time discretization is made by the backward Euler method. For reaction–diffusion systems, stability analysis and error bounds for semi‐discrete and fully discrete schemes are proved. Accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method successfully tested on several numerical examples and obtained results satisfy the well‐known result that for small values of diffusion coefficient, the steady state solution converges to equilibrium point. Acquired numerical results asserted the efficiency of the proposed scheme.     

Adaptive characteristic finite element approximation of convection–diffusion optimal control problems

In this article, a characteristic finite element approximation of quadratic optimal control problems governed by linear convection–diffusion equations is given. We derive some a posteriori error estimates for both the control and the state approximations, where the control variable is constrained by pointwise inequality. The derived error estimators are then used as an error indicator to guide the mesh refinement. In this sense, they are very important in developing adaptive finite element algorithm for the optimal control problems. Finally, a numerical example is given to validate the efficiency and reliability of the theoretical results. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2013     

The Crank–Nicolson–Galerkin finite element method for a nonlocal parabolic equation with moving boundaries

The aim of this article is to establish the convergence and error bounds for the fully discrete solutions of a class of nonlinear equations of reaction–diffusion nonlocal type with moving boundaries, using a linearized Crank–Nicolson–Galerkin finite element method with polynomial approximations of any degree. A coordinate transformation which fixes the boundaries is used. Some numerical tests to compare our Matlab code with some existing moving finite element methods are investigated. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 31: 1515–1533, 2015     

Parallel characteristic finite element method for time‐dependent convection–diffusion problem

Based on the overlapping‐domain decomposition and parallel subspace correction method, a new parallel algorithm is established for solving time‐dependent convection–diffusion problem with characteristic finite element scheme. The algorithm is fully parallel. We analyze the convergence of this algorithm, and study the dependence of the convergent rate on the spacial mesh size, time increment, iteration times and sub‐domains overlapping degree. Both theoretical analysis and numerical results suggest that only one or two iterations are needed to reach to optimal accuracy at each time step. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A nonconforming exponentially fitted finite element method for two‐dimensional drift‐diffusion models in semiconductors

A new nonconforming exponentially fitted finite element for a Galerkin approximation of convection–diffusion equations with a dominating advective term is considered. The attention is here focused on the drift‐diffusion current continuity equations in semiconductor device modeling. The scheme extends to the two‐dimensional case, the well known Scharfetter–Gummel method, by imposing a divergence‐free current over each element of the triangulation. Convergence of the method in the energy norm is proved and some numerical results are included. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 15: 133–150, 1999     

Implicit–explicit multistep characteristic finite element methods for nonlinear convection–diffusion equations

Implicit–explicit multistep characteristic methods are given for convection‐dominated diffusion equations. Multistep difference along characteristics of the one‐order hyperbolic part of the equation is used for discretization in time, and finite element method is used to discrete the space variables. The resulting schemes are consistent, stable and very efficient. Optimal‐rate of convergence is proved. Also, a note is given for a paper published earlier© 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 2007     

Fractional Crank–Nicolson–Galerkin finite element scheme for the time‐fractional nonlinear diffusion equation

This article presents a finite element scheme with Newton's method for solving the time‐fractional nonlinear diffusion equation. For time discretization, we use the fractional Crank–Nicolson scheme based on backward Euler convolution quadrature. We discuss the existence‐uniqueness results for the fully discrete problem. A new discrete fractional Gronwall type inequality for the backward Euler convolution quadrature is established. A priori error estimate for the fully discrete problem in L²(Ω) norm is derived. Numerical results based on finite element scheme are provided to validate theoretical estimates on time‐fractional nonlinear Fisher equation and Huxley equation.     

Monotone combined edge finite volume–finite element scheme for Anisotropic Keller–Segel model

In this article, a new numerical scheme for a degenerate Keller–Segel model with heterogeneous anisotropic tensors is treated. It is well‐known that standard finite volume scheme not permit to handle anisotropic diffusion without any restrictions on meshes. Therefore, a combined finite volume‐nonconforming finite element scheme is introduced, developed, and studied. The unknowns of this scheme are the values at the center of cell edges. Convergence of the approximate solution to the continuous solution is proved only supposing the shape regularity condition for the primal mesh. This scheme ensures the validity of the discrete maximum principle under the classical condition that all transmissibilities coefficients are positive. Therefore, a nonlinear technique is presented, as a correction of the diffusive flux, to provide a monotone scheme for general tensors. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 30: 1030–1065, 2014     

Superconvergence of finite difference approximations for convection–diffusion problems

An Erratum has been published for this article in Numerical Linear Algebra with Applications 8 (4) 2001, iii–iv. We are concerned with numerical solutions of convection–diffusion equations. The convergence behaviour of numerical solutions is considered by using the finite difference approximation with respect to spatial variables and implicit method with respect to time variable. It is shown that superconvergence occurs near a part of the boundary which has Dirichlet's data. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A two-level finite element method for the Navier–Stokes equations based on a new projection

We consider a fully discrete two-level approximation for the time-dependent Navier–Stokes equations in two dimension based on a time-dependent projection. By defining this new projection, the iteration between large and small eddy components can be reflected by its associated space splitting. Hence, we can get a weakly coupled system of large and small eddy components. This two-level method applies the finite element method in space and Crank–Nicolson scheme in time. Moreover,the analysis and some numerical examples are shown that the proposed two-level scheme can reach the same accuracy as the classical one-level Crank–Nicolson method with a very fine mesh size h by choosing a proper coarse mesh size H. However, the two-level method will involve much less work.     

Mixed two‐grid finite difference methods for solving one‐dimensional and two‐dimensional Fitzhugh–Nagumo equations

The aim of this paper is to propose mixed two‐grid finite difference methods to obtain the numerical solution of the one‐dimensional and two‐dimensional Fitzhugh–Nagumo equations. The finite difference equations at all interior grid points form a large‐sparse linear system, which needs to be solved efficiently. The solution cost of this sparse linear system usually dominates the total cost of solving the discretized partial differential equation. The proposed method is based on applying a family of finite difference methods for discretizing the spatial and time derivatives. The obtained system has been solved by two‐grid method, where the two‐grid method is used for solving the large‐sparse linear systems. Also, in the proposed method, the spectral radius with local Fourier analysis is calculated for different values of h and Δt. The numerical examples show the efficiency of this algorithm for solving the one‐dimensional and two‐dimensional Fitzhugh–Nagumo equations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A quadrature finite element method for semilinear second‐order hyperbolic problems

In this work we propose and analyze a fully discrete modified Crank–Nicolson finite element (CNFE) method with quadrature for solving semilinear second‐order hyperbolic initial‐boundary value problems. We prove optimal‐order convergence in both time and space for the quadrature‐modified CNFE scheme that does not require nonlinear algebraic solvers. Finally, we demonstrate numerically the order of convergence of our scheme for some test problems. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 2008     

A parallel finite element variational multiscale method based on fully overlapping domain decomposition for incompressible flows

Based on fully overlapping domain decomposition and a recent variational multiscale method, a parallel finite element variational multiscale method for convection dominated incompressible flows is proposed and analyzed. In this method, each processor computes a local finite element solution in its own subdomain using a global mesh that is locally refined around its own subdomain, where a stabilization term based on two local Gauss integrations is adopted to stabilize the numerical form of the Navier–Stokes equations. Using the technical tool of local a priori estimate for the finite element solution, error bounds of the discrete solution are estimated. Algorithmic parameter scalings are derived. Numerical tests are also given to verify the theoretical predictions and demonstrate the effectiveness of the method. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 31: 856–875, 2015     

A new combined finite element‐upwind finite volume method for convection‐dominated diffusion problems

In this article, we develop a combined finite element‐weighted upwind finite volume method for convection‐dominated diffusion problems in two dimensions, which discretizes the diffusion term with the standard finite element scheme, and the convection and source terms with the weighted upwind finite volume scheme. The developed method leads to a totally new scheme for convection‐dominated problems, which overcomes numerical oscillation, avoids numerical dispersion, and has high‐order accuracy. Stability analyses of the scheme are given for the problems with constant coefficients. Numerical experiments are presented to illustrate the stability and optimal convergence of our proposed method. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 32: 799–818, 2016     

Decoupled characteristic stabilized finite element method for time‐dependent Navier–Stokes/Darcy model

In this article, we propose and analyze a new decoupled characteristic stabilized finite element method for the time‐dependent Navier–Stokes/Darcy model. The key idea lies in combining the characteristic method with the stabilized finite element method to solve the decoupled model by using the lowest‐order conforming finite element space. In this method, the original model is divided into two parts: one is the nonstationary Navier–Stokes equation, and the other one is the Darcy equation. To deal with the difficulty caused by the trilinear term with nonzero boundary condition, we use the characteristic method. Furthermore, as the lowest‐order finite element pair do not satisfy LBB (Ladyzhen‐Skaya‐Brezzi‐Babuska) condition, we adopt the stabilized technique to overcome this flaw. The stability of the numerical method is first proved, and the optimal error estimates are established. Finally, extensive numerical results are provided to justify the theoretical analysis.     

A monotone scheme for Hamilton–Jacobi equations via the nonstandard finite difference method

A usual way of approximating Hamilton–Jacobi equations is to couple space finite element discretization with time finite difference discretization. This classical approach leads to a severe restriction on the time step size for the scheme to be monotone. In this paper, we couple the finite element method with the nonstandard finite difference method, which is based on Mickens' rule of nonlocal approximation. The scheme obtained in this way is unconditionally monotone. The convergence of the new method is discussed and numerical results that support the theory are provided. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.