Finite-volume algorithm for solving the time-dependent Maxwell equations on unstructured meshes

A finite-volume method is proposed for solving the time-dependent Maxwell equations on unstructured triangular meshes. The results of test computations show that the method has a second-order convergence rate for homogeneous media and a close-to-second-order convergence rate for media with spatially discontinuous permittivity.     

各向异性网格下具有数值积分的非协调有限元逼近

In this paper we mainly discuss the nonconforming finite element method for second order elliptic boundary value problems on anisotropic meshes.By changing the discretization form(i.e.,by use of numerical quadrature in the procedure of computing the left load),we obtain the optimal estimate O(h),which is as same as in the traditional finite element analysis when the load f∈H~1(Ω)∩C~0(Ω)which is weaker than the previous studies.The results obtained in this paper are also valid to the conforming triangular element and nonconforming Carey's element.     

特征值问题的Lagrange型各向异性有限元方法

在各向异性网格下首先研究了二阶椭圆特征值问题算子谱逼近的若干抽象结果.然后将这些结果具体应用于线性和双线性Lagrange型协调有限元,得到了与传统有限元网格剖分下相同的最优误差估计,从而拓宽了已有的成果.     

Stabilized finite element formulation for incompressible flow on distorted meshes

Flow computations frequently require unfavourably meshes, as for example highly stretched elements in regions of boundary layers or distorted elements in deforming arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian meshes. Thus, the performance of a flow solver on such meshes is of great interest. The behaviour of finite elements with residual‐based stabilization for incompressible Newtonian flow on distorted meshes is considered here. We investigate the influence of the stabilization terms on the results obtained on distorted meshes by a number of numerical studies. The effect of different element length definitions within the elemental stabilization parameter is considered. Further, different variants of residual‐based stabilization are compared indicating that dropping the second derivatives from the stabilization operator, i.e. using a streamline upwind Petrov–Galerkin type of formulation yields better results in a variety of cases. A comparison of the performance of linear and quadratic elements reveals further that the inconsistency of linear elements equipped with residual‐based stabilization introduces significant errors on distorted meshes, while quadratic elements are almost unaffected by moderate mesh distortion. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The characteristic finite element alternating direction method with moving meshes for nonlinear convection‐dominated diffusion problems

In modern numerical simulation of prospecting and exploiting oil‐gas resources and in environmental science, it is necessary to consider numerical method of nonlinear convection‐dominated diffusion problems. This thesis, starting from actual conditions such as the three‐dimensional characteristics of large‐scale science‐engineering computation, puts forward a kind of characteristic finite element alternating direction method with moving meshes. Some techniques, such as calculus of variations, operator‐splitting, generalized L² projection, energy method, negative norm estimate, the theory of prior estimates and techniques, are adopted. Optimal order estimates in L² norm are derived to determine the errors in the approximate solution. Thus the important theoretical problem has been solved. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2005     

Numerical simulation of mold filling in foam reaction injection molding

A numerical simulation of reaction injection molding (RIM) of polymeric foam is developed, using a finite volume method (FVM). In this study we predict mold filling with a variable‐density fluid that fills a mold by self‐expansion. We deal with two‐dimensional, isothermal cases. With the assumptions of ideal mixing and rapid bubble nucleation, the foam is modelled as a continuum with a time‐dependent density. The continuum is assumed to be a Newtonian fluid. We develop a pressure‐based FVM for unstructured meshes that includes the SIMPLE algorithm with treatment of fluid compressibility. Cell‐based, co‐located storage is used for all physical variables. To treat the moving interface, an explicit high‐resolution interface capturing method is used. Foam flow in a slit is investigated, and the numerical calculations are in good agreement with an approximate analytic solution. For fountain flow in a rectangular cavity, the shape of the flow front is flatter and the traces of the particles are more complicated for an expanding foam than for a constant‐density fluid. An example of mold filling by an expanding foam demonstrates the geometric flexibility of the method. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A new perspective on spectral analysis of numerical schemes

Spectral analysis is an essential tool for analysing the stability and accuracy of numerical schemes for solving partial differential equations on regular meshes. In particular, spectral analysis allows a detailed study of the dispersion error, as well as anisotropic effects introduced by the mesh. When performing this analysis, many authors assume that the waves making up the solution are always orientated in the same direction as the partial differential equation's characteristics. While this is a valid assumption in some cases, it is not correct in other situations, especially for analysis of the convection–diffusion equation and similar transport phenomena. This paper addresses this issue, and resolves some long‐standing misconceptions resulting from it. In particular, it is shown that for convection simulations on a regular mesh of squares, the overall level of dispersion error is not affected by the convection direction. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An adaptive solar radiation numerical model

A numerical model for the evaluation of solar radiation in different locations is presented. The solar radiation model is implemented taking into account the terrain surface using two-dimensional adaptive meshes of triangles that are constructed using a refinement/derefinement procedure in accordance with the variations of terrain surface and albedo. The selected methodology defines the terrain characteristics with a minimum number of points so that the computational cost is reduced for a given accuracy. The model can be used in atmospheric sciences as well as in other fields such as electrical engineering, since it allows the user to find the optimal location for maximum power generation in photovoltaic or solar thermal power plants. For this purpose, the effect of shadows is considered in each time step. The solar radiation is first computed for clear sky conditions considering the different components of the radiation. The real sky radiation is computed daily, starting from the results of clear sky radiation, in terms of the clear sky index. Maps for the clear sky index are obtained from a spatial interpolation of observational data that are available for each day at several points of the region under consideration. Finally, the solar radiation maps for a month are calculated from the daily results. The model can also be applied in solar radiation forecasting with the help of a forecasting meteorological model. This model takes into account the shadows cast, and allows the user to make a better estimation of the amount of solar power generation. Some numerical experiments related to the generation of solar radiation maps in Gran Canaria Island (Canary Islands, Spain) are presented.