Numerical solution of the Navier-Stokes equations using a finite element method

A finite element algorithm for solving the Navier-Stokes equations is presented for the analysis of high-speed viscous flows. The algorithm uses triangular elements. The unsteady equations are integrated to steady state with a Runge-Kutta time-marching scheme. A postprocessing artificial dissipation term is introduced to stabilize the computations and to dampen dissipation errors. Numerical results are compared with the calculation of uniform flow on a rectangular region which encounters an embedded oblique shock. A shock/turbulent boundary layer problem is also solved and results are compared with experimental data. It is shown that the postprocessing smoothing term and boundary conditions similar to the finite difference method work well in the present numerical studies.     

Least-squares finite element methods for compressible Euler equations

A method based on backward finite differencing in time and a least-squares finite element scheme for first-order systems of partial differential equations in space is applied to the Euler equations for gas dynamics. The scheme minimizes the L²-norm of the residual within each time step. The method naturally generates numerical dissipation proportional to the time step size. An implicit method employing linear elements has been implemented and proves robust. For high-order elements, computed solutions based on the L²-method may have oscillations for calculations at similar time step sizes. To overcome this difficulty, a scheme which minimizes the weighted H¹-norm of the residual is proposed and leads to a successful scheme with high-degree elements. Finally, a conservative least-squares finite element method is also developed. Numerical results for two-dimensional problems are given to demonstrate the shock resolution of the methods and compare different approaches.     

Equivalence conditions between linear Lagrangian finite element and node‐centred finite volume schemes for conservation laws in cylindrical coordinates

A complete set of equivalence conditions, relating the mass‐lumped Bubnov–Galerkin finite element (FE) scheme for Lagrangian linear elements to node‐centred finite volume (FV) schemes, is derived for the first time for conservation laws in a three‐dimensional cylindrical reference. Equivalence conditions are used to devise a class of FV schemes, in which all grid‐dependent quantities are defined in terms of FE integrals. Moreover, all relevant differential operators in the FV framework are consistent with their FE counterparts, thus opening the way to the development of consistent hybrid FV/FE schemes for conservation laws in a three‐dimensional cylindrical coordinate system. The two‐dimensional schemes for the polar and the axisymmetrical cases are also explicitly derived. Numerical experiments for compressible unsteady flows, including expanding and converging shock problems and the interaction of a converging shock waves with obstacles, are carried out using the new approach. The results agree fairly well with one‐dimensional simulations and simplified models. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A stable least-squares finite element method for non-linear hyperbolic problems

A class of stable least-square finite element methods for non-linear hyperbolic problems is developed and some exploratory studies made. The methods are based on modifying the L²-norm of the. residual and a related approximation to the H¹-norm of the residual. The effect of the additional terms in these residual functionals is to introduce a dissipative effect proportional to the solution gradient. This acts to stabilize the solution for non-linear hyperbolic problems which generate shocks. Numerical results for a one-dimensional nozzle and shock tube problem demonstrate the accuracy and stability of the method. Results are for an implicit scheme and calculations for linear, quadratic and cubic elements are given.     

薄板小波有限元理论及其应用

利用样条小波尺度函数构造了常用的三角形和矩形薄板单元的位移函数,得到了利用小波函数表示的形函数。采用合理的局部坐标,对单元进行压缩,使单元在局部坐标区间上有其值,成功地推导出了分域的三角形和矩形薄板小波有限元列式。在此基础上,提出了弹性地基薄板的小波有限元求解方法。通过两个算例对薄板的挠度和弯矩进行了计算,数值结果表明,求解结果具有收敛快、精度高的特点。     

A finite element simulator for incompressible two-phase flow

This paper describes a finite element simulator for incompressible two-phase flow. This simulator is based on numerical techniques which are novel to the field of reservoir simulation. It uses irregular meshes, discontinuous high-order finite elements for the approximation of saturations (including Riemann solvers and slope limiters), and the mixed-hybrid formulation of mixed finite elements for an efficient and precise approximation of pressures and velocities. Each injection or production well is simulated by a few one-dimensional implicit models arranged to form a macroelement. This simulator is able to handle gravity, capillary pressures, porosity and permeability (both absolute and relative), and heterogeneity. Numerical results are shown which illustrate the capabilities of the code.     

Preconditioned finite element algorithms for 3D Stokes flows

Preconditioned conjugate gradient algorithms for solving 3D Stokes problems by stable piecewise discontinuous pressure finite elements are presented. The emphasis is on the preconditioning schemes and their numerical implementation for use with Hermitian based discontinuous pressure elements. For the piecewise constant discontinuous pressure elements, a variant implementation of the preconditioner proposed by Cahouet and Chabard for the continuous pressure elements is employed. For the piecewise linear discontinuous pressure elements, a new preconditioner is presented. Numerical examples are presented for the cubic lid-driven cavity problem with two representative elements, i.e. the Q2-PO and the Q2-P1 brick elements. Numerical results show that the preconditioning schemes are very effective in reducing the number of pressure iterations at very reasonable costs. It is also shown that they are insensitive to the mesh Reynolds number except for nearly steady flows (Re_m → 0) and are almost independent of mesh sizes. It is demonstrated that the schemes perform reasonably well on non-uniform meshes.     

平面理性四节点及五节点四边形有限元

推导了平面四点及五点理性元公式，具有完全二次解的插值近似，完全通过分片试验，不发生零能模式，不发生剪切自锁。数例表明本文理性元的优越性。     

Coupling between finite element method and material point method for problems with extreme deformation

As a Lagrangian meshless method, the material point method (MPM) is suitable for dynamic problems with extreme deformation, but its efficiency and accuracy are not as good as that of the finite element method (FEM) for small deformation problems. Therefore, an algorithm for the coupling of FEM and MPM is proposed to take advantages of both methods. Furthermore, a conversion scheme of elements to particles is developed. Hence, the material domain is firstly discretized by finite elements, and then the distorted elements are automatically converted into MPM particles to avoid element entanglement. The interaction between finite elements and MPM particles is implemented based on the background grid in MPM framework. Numerical results are in good agreement with experimental data and the efficiency of this method is higher than that of both FEM and MPM.     

基于等几何分析的比例边界有限元方法

提出了一种具有比例边界有限元的半解析特性和等几何分析的几何特性的新方法。该新方法是在比例边界有限元框架中用NURBS曲线或曲面精确描述域边界几何形状,同时域边界位移场采用描述几何形状的NURBS形函数等参构造。这种新方法具有比例边界有限元固有的径向解析特性和NURBS的高阶连续性的优点。数值算例显示,与传统的比例边界有限元相比,基于等几何分析的比例边界有限元方法提高了域边界单元和域内应力场的连续性,减少了计算自由度。应用此方法可以用较少的计算自由度获得更高连续阶和更高精度的位移、应力和应变场。     

光滑粒子法与有限元的耦合算法及其在冲击动力学中的应用

扼要讨论了光滑粒子法的离散思想,充分利用光滑粒子法和有限元方法各自的优点,提出了一种初始时刻用有限元建模,计算过程中大变形单元自动转换为光滑粒子的耦合算法。高速碰撞的系列算例说明,耦合算法不但适宜于计算大变形冲击动力学问题,而且由于集两种方法的优点于一身,可以更高效地模拟一些高速碰撞问题,提高计算效率。     

A control volume finite element method for three-dimensional three-phase flows

A novel control volume finite element method with adaptive anisotropic unstructured meshes is presented for three-dimensional three-phase flows with interfacial tension. The numerical framework consists of a mixed control volume and finite element formulation with a new P₁DG-P₂ elements (linear discontinuous velocity between elements and quadratic continuous pressure between elements). A “volume of fluid” type method is used for the interface capturing, which is based on compressive control volume advection and second-order finite element methods. A force-balanced continuum surface force model is employed for the interfacial tension on unstructured meshes. The interfacial tension coefficient decomposition method is also used to deal with interfacial tension pairings between different phases. Numerical examples of benchmark tests and the dynamics of three-dimensional three-phase rising bubble, and droplet impact are presented. The results are compared with the analytical solutions and previously published experimental data, demonstrating the capability of the present method.     

电磁共振腔辛有限元法

将电磁场的基本方程导向了对偶方程形式。给出了推导电磁场有限元所需相应的对偶变量变分原理。为了有限元列式的保辛，交分原理被积函数可导向对于对偶变量为对称的形式。交分原理的边界积分项对于相邻单元互相抵消。对偶变量有限元推导可避免所谓的C1连续性问题。采用对偶变量离散分析了共振腔本征值问题，离散后再消去一类变量可导出普通的广义本征值问题而求解。算例表明了对偶变量有限元分析的有效性。     

Three‐dimensional sloshing: A consistent finite element approach

This paper presents a new computational methodology based on Legendre's polynomials to predict the slosh and acoustic motion in nearly incompressible fluids in both rigid and flexible structures with free surface. Here, we have used a finite element formulation based on Lagrangian frame of reference to model the fluid motion derived using Hamiltonian equation of the fluid system. We formulated three hexahedral finite elements based on strain fields expressed in terms of extended Legendre's polynomials. Sloshing and acoustic motion of liquid is investigated using these newly formulated elements and inf–sup test is performed on these new elements to check the performance of these elements in modeling sloshing under two severe constraints, namely incompressibility and irrotationality. Comparisons of slosh and acoustic frequencies, and mode shapes with exact solutions are given. Dynamic analysis with earthquake and harmonic kind of forcing function is carried out to validate the formulated hexahedral elements to analyze the sloshing response. Numerical results obtained with these new finite elements, and with the present finite element formulation of the mathematical model agree well with the exact solution and as well as with published experimental literature. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nonconforming finite elements for the equation of planar elasticity

Two new locking-free nonconforming finite elements for the pure displacement planar elasticity problem are presented. Convergence rates of the elements are uniformly optimal with respect to A. The energy norm and L2 norm errors are proved to be O（h2） and O（h3）, respectively. Numerical tests confirm the theoretical analysis.     

广义节点有限元法

应用流形方法思想,通过引入广义节点的概念,对传统有限元方法进行改进,建立了可具有任意高阶多项式托值函数的广义节点有限元方法,计算结果表明,广义节点有限元方法较之传统有限元方法有较高的精度。     

Nonstructural geometric discontinuities in finite element/multibody system analysis

Existing multibody system (MBS) algorithms treat articulated system components that are not rigidly connected as separate bodies connected by joints that are governed by nonlinear algebraic equations. As a consequence, these MBS algorithms lead to a highly nonlinear system of coupled differential and algebraic equations. Existing finite element (FE) algorithms, on the other hand, do not lead to a constant mesh inertia matrix in the case of arbitrarily large relative rigid body rotations. In this paper, new FE/MBS meshes that employ linear connectivity conditions and allow for arbitrarily large rigid body displacements between the finite elements are introduced. The large displacement FE absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF) is used to obtain linear element connectivity conditions in the case of large relative rotations between the finite elements of a mesh. It is shown in this paper that a linear formulation of pin (revolute) joints that allow for finite relative rotations between two elements connected by the joint can be systematically obtained using ANCF finite elements. The algebraic joint constraint equations, which can be introduced at a preprocessing stage to efficiently eliminate redundant position coordinates, allow for deformation modes at the pin joint definition point, and therefore, this new joint formulation can be considered as a generalization of the pin joint formulation used in rigid MBS analysis. The new pin joint deformation modes that are the result of C ⁰ continuity conditions, allow for the calculations of the pin joint strains which can be discontinuous as the result of the finite relative rotation between the elements. This type of discontinuity is referred to in this paper as nonstructural discontinuity in order to distinguish it from the case of structural discontinuity in which the elements are rigidly connected. Because ANCF finite elements lead to a constant mass matrix, an identity generalized mass matrix can be obtained for the FE mesh despite the fact that the finite elements of the mesh are not rigidly connected. The relationship between the nonrational ANCF finite elements and the B-spline representation is used to shed light on the potential of using ANCF as the basis for the integration of computer aided design and analysis (I-CAD-A). When cubic interpolation is used in the FE/ANCF representation, C ⁰ continuity is equivalent to a knot multiplicity of three when computational geometry methods such as B-splines are used. C ² ANCF models which ensure the continuity of the curvature and correspond to B-spline knot multiplicity of one can also be obtained. Nonetheless, B-spline and NURBS representations cannot be used to effectively model T-junctions that can be systematically modeled using ANCF finite elements which employ gradient coordinates that can be conveniently used to define element orientations in the reference configuration. Numerical results are presented in order to demonstrate the use of the new formulation in developing new chain models.     

Numerical investigation of the slope discontinuities in large deformation finite element formulations

In many multibody system applications, the system components are made of structural elements that can have different orientations, leading to slope discontinuities. In this paper, a numerical investigation of a new procedure that can be used to model structures with slope discontinuities in the finite element absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF) is presented. This procedure can be applied to model slope discontinuities in the case of commutative rotations of gradient deficient elements that are used for modeling thin beam and plate structures. An important special case to which the proposed procedure can be applied is the case of all planar gradient deficient ANCF finite elements. The use of the proposed method leads to a constant orthogonal element transformation that describes an arbitrary initial configuration. As a consequence, one obtains, in the case of large commutative rotations and large deformations, a constant mass matrix for structures which have complex geometry. The procedure used in this investigation to model slope discontinuities requires the use of the concept of the intermediate finite element coordinate system. For each finite element, a new set of gradient coordinates that define, at the discontinuity node, the element deformation with respect to the intermediate element coordinate system is introduced. These new gradient coordinates are assumed to be equal for the two finite elements at the point of intersection. That is, the change of the gradients of two elements at the intersection point from their respective intermediate initial reference configuration is assumed to be the same. This procedure leads to a set of linear algebraic equations that define the orthogonal transformation matrix for the finite element. Numerical examples are presented in order to demonstrate the use of the proposed procedure for modeling slope discontinuities.     

A penalty-hybrid finite element analysis of stokes flow

A type of penalty-hybrid variational principle is suggested for the analysis of Stokesian flow. On such a basis, a finite element model is formulated featuring, among others, a priori satisfaction of the deviatoric stress and hydrostatic pressure on linear momentum balance equations. Also in the present scheme the hydrostatic pressure is successfully eliminated at the element level, leaving only nodal velocities as solution unknowns. A series of 4-node and 8-node quadrilateral elements are derived and examined. Numerical examples demonstrating their characteristic behaviors are also included.The project Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China     

Transient thermal shock fracture analysis of functionally graded piezoelectric materials by the extended finite element method

Transient thermal dynamic analysis of stationary cracks in functionally graded piezoelectric materials (FGPMs) based on the extended finite element method (X-FEM) is presented. Both heating and cooling shocks are considered. The material properties are supposed to vary exponentially along specific direction while the crack-faces are assumed to be adiabatic and electrically impermeable. A dynamic X-FEM model is developed in which both Crank–Nicolson and Newmark time integration methods are used for calculating transient responses of thermal and electromechanical fields respectively. The generalized dynamic intensity factors for the thermal stresses and electrical displacements are extracted by using the interaction integral. The accuracy of the developed approach is verified numerically by comparing the calculated results with reference solutions. Numerical examples with mixed-mode crack problems are analyzed. The effects of the crack-length, poling direction, material gradation, etc. on the dynamic intensity factors are investigated. It shows that the transient dynamic crack behaviors under the cooling shock differ from those under the heating shock. The influence of the thermal shock loading on the dynamic intensity factors is significant.