Cut Finite Elements for Convection in Fractured Domains

We develop a cut finite element method (CutFEM) for the convection problem in a so called fractured domain which is a union of manifolds of different dimensions such that a $d$ dimensional component always resides on the boundary of a $d+1$ dimensional component. This type of domain can for instance be used to model porous media with embedded fractures that may intersect. The convection problem can be formulated in a compact form suitable for analysis using natural abstract directional derivative and divergence operators. The cut finite element method is based on using a fixed background mesh that covers the domain and the manifolds are allowed to cut through a fixed background mesh in an arbitrary way. We consider a simple method based on continuous piecewise linear elements together with weak enforcement of the coupling conditions and stabilization. We prove a priori error estimates and present illustrating numerical examples

R-function Theory for Bending Problem of Shallow Spherical Shells with Polygonal Boundary

The governing differential equations of the bending problem of simply supported shallow spherical shells on Winkler foundation are simplified to an independent equation of radial deflection. The independent equation of radial deflection is decomposed to two Laplace operators by intermediate variable. The R-function theory is applied to describe a shallow spherical shell on Winkler foundation with concave boundary, and then a quasi-Green’s function is established by using the fundamental solution and the normalized boundary equation. The quasi-Green’s function satisfies the homogeneous boundary condition of the problem. The Laplace operators of the problem are reduced to two simultaneous Fredholm integral equations of the second kind by the Green’s formula. The singularity of the kernel of the integral equation is eliminated by choosing a suitable form of the normalized boundary equation. The integral equations are discretized into the homogeneous linear algebraic equations to proceed numerical computing. The singular term in the discrete equation is eliminated by the integral method. Some numerical examples are given to verify the validity of the proposed method in calculating simple boundary conditions and polygonal boundary conditions. A comparison with the ANSYS finite element (FEM) solution shows a good agreement, and it demonstrates the feasibility and efficiency of the present method

Finite element approximation of the Laplace-Beltrami operator on a surface with boundary

We develop a finite element method for the Laplace–Beltrami operator on a surface with boundary and nonhomogeneous Dirichlet boundary conditions. The method is based on a triangulation of the surface and the boundary conditions are enforced weakly using Nitsche's method. We prove optimal order a priori error estimates for piecewise continuous polynomials of order k ≥ 1 in the energy and L2 norms that take the approximation of the surface and the boundary into account