Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines and Rational Bezier Triangles for Isogeometric Analysis of Structural Applications

Isogeometric Analysis (IGA) is a major advancement in computational analysis that bridges the gap between a computer-aided design (CAD) model, which is typically constructed using Non-Uniform Rational B-splines (NURBS), and a computational model that traditionally uses Lagrange polynomials to represent the geometry and solution variables. In IGA, the same shape functions that are used in CAD are employed for analysis. The direct manipulation of CAD data eliminates approximation errors that emanate from the process of converting the geometry from CAD to Finite Element Analysis (FEA). As a result, IGA allows the exact geometry to be represented at the coarsest level and maintained throughout the analysis process. While IGA was initially introduced to streamline the design and analysis process, this dissertation shows that IGA can also provide improved computational results for complex and highly nonlinear problems in structural mechanics. This dissertation addresses various problems in structural mechanics in the context of IGA, with the use of NURBS and rational Bézier triangles for the description of the parametric and physical spaces. The approaches considered here show that a number of important properties (e.g., high-order smoothness, geometric exactness, reduced number of degrees of freedom, and increased flexibility in discretization) can be achieved, leading to improved numerical solutions. Specifically, using B-splines and a layer-based discretization, a distributed plasticity isogeometric frame model is formulated to capture the spread of plasticity in large-deformation frames. The modeling approach includes an adaptive analysis where the structure of interest is initially modeled with coarse mesh and knots are inserted based on the yielding information at the quadrature points. It is demonstrated that improvement on efficiency and convergence rates is attained. With NURBS, an isogeometric rotation-free multi-layered plate formulation is developed based on a layerwise deformation theory. The derivation assumes a separate displacement field expansion within each layer, and considers transverse displacement component as C0-continuous at dissimilar material interfaces, which is enforced via knot repetition. The separate integration of the in-plane and through-thickness directions allows to capture the complete 3D stresses in a 2D setting. The proposed method is used to predict the behavior of advanced materials such as laminated composites, and the results show advantages in efficiency and accuracy. To increase the flexibility in discretizing complex geometries, rational Bézier triangles for domain triangulation is studied. They are further coupled with a Delaunay-based feature-preserving discretization algorithm for static bending and free vibration analysis of Kirchhoff plates. Lagrange multipliers are employed to explicitly impose high-order continuity constraints and the augmented system is solved iteratively without increasing the matrix size. The resulting discretization is geometrically exact, admits small geometric features, and constitutes C1-continuity. The feature-preserving rational Bézier triangles are further applied to smeared damage modeling of quasi-brittle materials. Due to the ability of Lagrange multipliers to raise global continuity to any desired order, the implicit fourth- and sixth-order gradient damage models are analyzed. The inclusion of higher-order terms in the nonlocal Taylor expansion improves solution accuracy. A local refinement algorithm that resolves marked regions with high resolution while keeping the resulting mesh conforming and well-conditioned is also utilized to improve efficiency. The outcome is a unified modeling framework where the feature-preserving discretization is able to capture the damage initiation and early-stage propagation, and the local refinement technique can then be applied to adaptively refine the mesh in the direction of damage propagation.PHDCivil EngineeringUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/147668/1/ningliu_1.pd

Métodos matemáticos e computacionais para modelagem e edição de deformações

Orientador: Jorge StolfiTese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de ComputaçãoResumo: Nesta tese, descrevemos primeiramente o algoritmo ECLES (Editing by Constrained LEast Squares), um método geral para edição interativa de objetos definidos por parâmetros sujeitos a restrições lineares ou afins. Neste método, as restrições e as ações de edição do usuário são combinadas usando mínimos quadrados restritos, ao invés da abordagem mais comum de elementos finitos. Usamos aritmética exata para detectar e eliminar redundâncias no conjunto de restrições e evitar falhas devido a erros de arredondamento. O algoritmo ECLES tem diversas aplicações. Entre elas, podemos citar a edição de deformações spline com continuidade C¹. Nesta tese, descrevemos um método interativo de edição de deformações do plano, o algoritmo 2DSD (2D Spline Deformation). As deformações são definidas por splines de grau 5 sobre uma malha triangular arbitrária. Estas deformações são editadas alterando-se as posições dos pontos de controle da malha. O algoritmo ECLES é usado em cada ação de edição do usuário para detectar, de forma robusta e eficiente, o conjunto de restrições de continuidade C¹ que são relevantes, garantindo que não existam redundâncias. Em seguida, como os parâmetros são modificados pelo usuário, o ECLES é chamado para calcular as novas posições dos pontos de controle satisfazendo as restrições e as posições especificadas pelo usuário. A fim de validar nosso método 2DSD, ele foi utilizado como parte de um editor interativo para deformações do espaço 2.5D, o editor PrisMystic. Este editor foi utilizado, principalmente, para deformar modelos tridimensionais de organismos microscópicos não-rígidos de modo a coincidir com imagens reais de microscopia ótica. Também utilizamos o editor para editar modelos de terrenosAbstract: In this thesis, we present the ECLES algorithm (Editing by Constrained LEast Squares), a general method for interactive editing of objects that are defined by parameters subject to linear or affine constraints. In this method, the constraints and the user editing actions are combined using constrained least squares instead of the usual finite element approach. We use exact integer arithmetic in order to detect and eliminate redundancies in the set of constraints and to avoid failures due to rounding errors. The ECLES algorithm has various applications. Among them, we can cite the editing of C¹-continuous spline deformations. In this thesis, we describe an interactive editing method for deformations of the plane, the 2DSD algorithm (2D Spline Deformation). The deformations are defined by splines of degree 5 on an arbitrary triangular mesh. The deformations are edited by changing the positions of its control points. The ECLES algorithm is first used in each user editing action in order to detect, in a robust and efficient way, the set of relevant constraints of C¹ continuity, ensuring that there are no redundancies. Then, as the parameters are changed by the user, ECLES is called to compute the new positions of the control points satisfying the constraints and the positions specified by the user. To validate our 2DSD algorithm, we used it as part of an interactive editor for 2.5D space deformations, the PrisMystic editor. This editor has been used, mainly, to deform 3D models of non-rigid living microscopic organisms as seen in actual optical microscope images. We also used the editor to edit terrain modelsDoutoradoCiência da ComputaçãoDoutora em Ciência da Computação140780/2013-001-P-04554-2013CNPQCAPE

Robust multigrid methods for Isogeometric discretizations applied to poroelasticity problems

El análisis isogeométrico (IGA) elimina la barrera existente entre elementos finitos (FEA) y el diseño geométrico asistido por ordenador (CAD). Debido a esto, IGA es un método novedoso que está recibiendo una creciente atención en la literatura y recientemente se ha convertido en tendencia. Muchos esfuerzos están siendo puestos en el diseño de solvers eficientes y robustos para este tipo de discretizaciones. Dada la optimalidad de los métodos multimalla para elementos finitos, la aplicación de estosmétodos a discretizaciones isogeométricas no ha pasado desapercibida. Nosotros pensamos firmemente que los métodos multimalla son unos candidatos muy prometedores a ser solvers eficientes y robustos para IGA y por lo tanto en esta tesis apostamos por su aplicación. Para contar con un análisis teórico para el diseño de nuestros métodos multimalla, el análisis local de Fourier es propuesto como principal análisis cuantitativo. En esta tesis, a parte de considerar varios problemas escalares, prestamos especial atención al problema de poroelasticidad, concretamente al modelo cuasiestático de Biot para el proceso de consolidación del suelo. Actualmente, el diseño de métodos multimalla robustos para problemas poroelásticos respecto a parámetros físicos o el tamaño de la malla es un gran reto. Por ello, la principal contribución de esta tesis es la propuesta de métodos multimalla robustos para discretizaciones isogeométricas aplicadas al problema de poroelasticidad.La primera parte de esta tesis se centra en la construcción paramétrica de curvas y superficies dado que estas técnicas son la base de IGA. Así, la definición de los polinomios de Bernstein y curvas de Bézier se presenta como punto de partida. Después, introducimos los llamados B-splines y B-splines racionales no uniformes (NURBS) puesto que éstas serán las funciones base consideradas en nuestro estudio.La segunda parte trata sobre el análisis isogeométrico propiamente dicho. En esta parte, el método isoparamétrico es explicado al lector y se presenta el análisis isogeométrico de algunos problemas. Además, introducimos la formulación fuerte y débil de los problemas anteriores mediante el método de Galerkin y los espacios de aproximación isogeométricos. El siguiente punto de esta tesis se centra en los métodos multimalla. Se tratan las bases de los métodos multimalla y, además de introducir algunos métodos iterativos clásicos como suavizadores, también se introducen suavizadores por bloques como los métodos de Schwarz multiplicativos y aditivos. Llegados a esta parte, nos centramos en el LFA para el diseño de métodos multimalla robustos y eficientes. Además, se explican en detalle el análisis estándar y el análisis basado en ventanas junto al análisis de suavizadores por bloques y el análisis para sistemas de ecuaciones en derivadas parciales.Tras introducir las discretizaciones isogeométricas, los métodos multimalla y el LFA como análisis teórico, nuestro propósito es diseñar métodos multimalla eficientes y robustos respecto al grado polinomial de los splines para discretizaciones isogeométricas de algunos problemas escalares. Así, mostramos que el uso de métodos multimalla basados en suavizadores de tipo Schwarz multiplicativo o aditivo produce buenos resultados y factores de convergencia asintóticos robustos. La última parte de esta tesis está dedicada al análisis isogeométrico del problema de poroelasticidad. Para esta tarea, se introducen el modelo de Biot y su discretización isogeométrica. Además, presentamos una novedosa estabilización de masa para la formulación de dos campos de las ecuaciones de Biot que elimina todas las oscilaciones no físicas en la aproximación numérica de la presión. Después, nos centramos en dos tipos de solvers para estas ecuaciones poroelásticas: Solvers desacoplados y solvers monolíticos. En el primer grupo, le dedicamos una especial atención al método fixed-stress y a un método iterativo propuesto por nosotros que puede ser aplicado de forma automática a partir de la estabilización de masa ya mencionada.Por otro lado, realizamos un análisis de von Neumann para este método iterativo aplicado al problema de Terzaghi y demostramos su estabilidad y convergencia para los pares de elementos Q1 Q1, Q2 Q1 y Q3 Q2 (con suavidad global C1). Respecto al grupo de solvers monolíticos, nosotros proponemos métodos multimalla basados en suavizadores acoplados y desacoplados. En esta parte, métodosIsogeometric analysis (IGA) eliminates the gap between finite element analysis (FEA) and computer aided design (CAD). Due to this, IGA is an innovative approach that is receiving an increasing attention in the literature and it has recently become a trending topic. Many research efforts are being devoted to the design of efficient and robust solvers for this type of discretization. Given the optimality of multigrid methods for FEA, the application of these methods to IGA discretizations has not been unnoticed. We firmly think that they are a very promising approach as efficient and robust solvers for IGA and therefore in this thesis we are concerned about their application. In order to give a theoretical support to the design of multigrid solvers, local Fourier analysis (LFA) is proposed as the main quantitative analysis. Although different scalar problems are also considered along this thesis, we make a special focus on poroelasticity problems. More concretely, we focus on the quasi-static Biot's equations for the soil consolidation process. Nowadays, it is a very challenging task to achieve robust multigrid solvers for poroelasticity problems with respect physical parameters and/or the mesh size. Thus, the main contribution of this thesis is to propose robust multigrid methods for isogeometric discretizations applied to poroelasticity problems. The first part of this thesis is devoted to the introduction of the parametric construction of curves and surfaces since these techniques are the basis of IGA. Hence, with the definition of Bernstein polynomials and B\'ezier curves as a starting point, we introduce B-splines and non-uniform rational B-splines (NURBS) since these will be the basis functions considered for our numerical experiments. The second part deals with the isogeometric analysis. In this part, the isoparametric approach is explained to the reader and the isogeometric analysis of some scalar problems is presented. Hence, the strong and weak formulations by means of Galerkin's method are introduced and the isogeometric approximation spaces as well. The next point of this thesis consists of multigrid methods. The basics of multigrid methods are explained and, besides the presentation of some classical iterative methods as smoothers, block-wise smoothers such as multiplicative and additive Schwarz methods are also introduced. At this point, we introduce LFA for the design of efficient and robust multigrid methods. Furthermore, both standard and infinite subgrids local Fourier analysis are explained in detail together with the analysis for block-wise smoothers and the analysis for systems of partial differential equations. After the introduction of isogeometric discretizations, multigrid methods as our choice of solvers and LFA as theoretical analysis, our goal is to design efficient and robust multigrid methods with respect to the spline degree for IGA discretizations of some scalar problems. Hence, we show that the use of multigrid methods based on multiplicative or additive Schwarz methods provide a good performance and robust asymptotic convergence rates. The last part of this thesis is devoted to the isogeometric analysis of poroelasticity. For this task, Biot's model and its isogeometric discretization are introduced. Moreover, we present an innovative mass stabilization of the two-field formulation of Biot's equations that eliminates all the spurious oscillations in the numerical approximation of the pressure. Then, we deal with two types of solvers for these poroelastic equations: Decoupled and monolithic solvers. In the first group we devote special attention to the fixed-stress split method and a mass stabilized iterative scheme proposed by us that can be automatically applied from the mass stabilization formulation mentioned before. In addition, we perform a von Neumann analysis for this iterative decoupled solver applied to Terzaghi's problem and demonstrate that it is stable and convergent for pairs Q1-Q1, Q2-Q1 and Q3-Q2 (with global smoothness C1). Regarding the group of monolithic solvers, we propose multigrid methods based on coupled and decoupled smoothers. Coupled additive Schwarz methods are proposed as coupled smoothers for isogeometric Taylor-Hood elements. More concretely, we propose a 51-point additive Schwarz method for the pair Q2-Q1. In the last part, we also propose to use an inexact version of the fixed-stress split algorithm as decoupled smoother by applying iterations of different additive Schwarz methods for each variable. For the latter approach, we consider the pairs of elements Q2-Q1 and Q3-Q2 (with global smoothness C1). Finally, thanks to LFA we manage to design efficient and robust multigrid solvers for the Biot's equations and some numerical results are shown.<br /

The Construction of Optimized High-Order Surface Meshes by Energy-Minimization

Despite the increasing popularity of high-order methods in computational fluid dynamics, their application to practical problems still remains challenging. In order to exploit the advantages of high-order methods with geometrically complex computational domains, coarse curved meshes are necessary, i.e. high-order representations of the geometry. This dissertation presents a strategy for the generation of curved high-order surface meshes. The mesh generation method combines least-squares fitting with energy functionals, which approximate physical bending and stretching energies, in an incremental energy-minimizing fitting strategy. Since the energy weighting is reduced in each increment, the resulting surface representation features high accuracy. Nevertheless, the beneficial influence of the energy-minimization is retained. The presented method aims at enabling the utilization of the superior convergence properties of high-order methods by facilitating the construction of coarser meshes, while ensuring accuracy by allowing an arbitrary choice of geometric approximation order. Results show surface meshes of remarkable quality, even for very coarse meshes representing complex domains, e.g. blood vessels

Isogeometric treatment of large deformation contact and debonding problems with T-splines: a review

AbstractWithin a setting where the isogeometric analysis (IGA) has been successful at bringing two different research fields together, i.e. Computer Aided Design (CAD) and numerical analysis, T-spline IGA is applied in this work to frictionless contact and mode-I debonding problems between deformable bodies in the context of large deformations. Based on the concept of IGA, the smooth basis functions are adopted to describe surface geometries and approximate the numerical solutions, leading to higher accuracy in the contact integral evaluation. The isogeometric discretizations are here incorporated into an existing finite element framework by using Bézier extraction, i.e. a linear operator which maps the Bernstein polynomial basis on Bézier elements to the global isogeometric basis. A recently released commercial T-spline plugin for Rhino is herein used to build the analysis models adopted in this study.In such context, the continuum is discretized with cubic T-splines, as well as with Non Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS) and Lagrange polynomial elements for comparison purposes, and a Gauss-point-to-surface (GPTS) formulation is combined with the penalty method to treat the contact constraints. The purely geometric enforcement of the non-penetration condition in compression is generalized to encompass both contact and mode-I debonding of interfaces which is approached by means of cohesive zone (CZ) modeling, as commonly done by the scientific community to analyse the progressive damage of materials and interfaces. Based on these models, non-linear relationships between tractions and relative displacements are assumed. These relationships dictate both the work of separation per unit fracture surface and the peak stress that has to be reached for the crack formation. In the generalized GPTS formulation an automatic switching procedure is used to choose between cohesive and contact models, depending on the contact status. Some numerical results are first presented and compared in 2D for varying resolutions of the contact and/or cohesive zone, including frictionless sliding and cohesive debonding, all featuring the competitive accuracy and performance of T-spline IGA. The superior accuracy of T-spline interpolations with respect to NURBS and Lagrange interpolations for a given number of degrees of freedom (Dofs) is always verified. The isogeometric formulation is also extended to 3D bodies, where some examples in large deformations based on T-spline discretizations show an high smoothness of the reaction history curves

De Casteljau's algorithm in geometric data analysis: Theory and application

For decades, de Casteljau's algorithm has been used as a fundamental building block in curve and surface design and has found a wide range of applications in fields such as scientific computing and discrete geometry, to name but a few. With increasing interest in nonlinear data science, its constructive approach has been shown to provide a principled way to generalize parametric smooth curves to manifolds. These curves have found remarkable new applications in the analysis of parameter-dependent, geometric data. This article provides a survey of the recent theoretical developments in this exciting area as well as its applications in fields such as geometric morphometrics and longitudinal data analysis in medicine, archaeology, and meteorology

Two accelerated isogeometric boundary element method formulations: fast multipole method and hierarchical matrices method

This work presents two fast isogeometric formulations of the Boundary Element Method (BEM) applied to heat conduction problems, one accelerated by Fast Multipole Method (FMM) and other by Hierarchical Matrices. The Fast Multipole Method uses complex variables and expansion of fundamental solutions into Laurant series, while the Hierarchical Matrices are created by low rank CUR approximations from the k−Means clustering technique for geometric sampling. Both use Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS) as shape functions. To reduce computational cost and facilitate implementation, NURBS are decomposed into Bézier curves, making the isogeometric formulation very similar to the conventional BEM. A description of the hierarchical structure of the data and the implemented algorithms are presented. Validation is performed by comparing the results of the proposed formulations with those of the conventional BEM formulation. The computational cost of both formulations is analyzed showing the advantages of the proposed formulations for large scale problems

Subdivision and manifold techniques for isogeometric design and analysis of surfaces

Design of surfaces and analysis of partial differential equations defined on them are of great importance in engineering applications, e.g., structural engineering, automotive and aerospace. This thesis focuses on isogeometric design and analysis of surfaces, which aims to integrate engineering design and analysis by using the same representation for both. The unresolved challenge is to develop a desirable surface representation that simultaneously satisfies certain favourable properties on meshes of arbitrary topology around the extraordinary vertices (EVs), i.e., vertices not shared by four quadrilaterals or three triangles. These properties include high continuity (geometric or parametric), optimal convergence in finite element analysis as well as simplicity in terms of implementation. To overcome the challenge, we further develop subdivision and manifold surface modelling techniques, and explore a possible scheme to combine the distinct appealing properties of the two. The unique advantages of the developed techniques have been confirmed with numerical experiments. Subdivision surfaces generate smooth surfaces from coarse control meshes of arbitrary topology by recursive refinement. Around EVs the optimal refinement weights are application-dependent. We first review subdivision-based finite elements. We then proceed to derive the optimal subdivision weights that minimise finite element errors and can be easily incorporated into existing implementations of subdivision schemes to achieve the same accuracy with much coarser meshes in engineering computations. To this end, the eigenstructure of the subdivision matrix is extensively used and a novel local shape decomposition approach is proposed to choose the optimal weights for each EV independently. Manifold-based basis functions are derived by combining differential-geometric manifold techniques with conformal parametrisations and the partition of unity method. This thesis derives novel manifold-based basis functions with arbitrary prescribed smoothness using quasi-conformal maps, enabling us to model and analyse surfaces with sharp features, such as creases and corners. Their practical utility in finite element simulation of hinged or rigidly joined structures is demonstrated with Kirchhoff-Love thin shell examples. We also propose a particular manifold basis reproducing subdivision surfaces away from EVs, i.e., B-splines, providing a way to combine the appealing properties of subdivision (available in industrial software) for design and manifold basis (relatively new) for analysis.Cambridge International Scholarship Scheme (CISS) by Cambridge Trus

Advanced Numerical Modelling of Discontinuities in Coupled Boundary ValueProblems

Industrial development processes as well as research in physics, materials and engineering science rely on computer modelling and simulation techniques today. With increasing computer power, computations are carried out on multiple scales and involve the analysis of coupled problems. In this work, continuum modelling is therefore applied at different scales in order to facilitate a prediction of the effective material or structural behaviour based on the local morphology and the properties of the individual constituents. This provides valueable insight into the structure-property relations which are of interest for any design process. In order to obtain reasonable predictions for the effective behaviour, numerical models which capture the essential fine scale features are required. In this context, the efficient representation of discontinuities as they arise at, e.g. material interfaces or cracks, becomes more important than in purely phenomenological macroscopic approaches. In this work, two different approaches to the modelling of discontinuities are discussed: (i) a sharp interface representation which requires the localisation of interfaces by the mesh topology. Since many interesting macroscopic phenomena are related to the temporal evolution of certain microscopic features, (ii) diffuse interface models which regularise the interface in terms of an additional field variable and therefore avoid topological mesh updates are considered as an alternative. With the two combinations (i) Extended Finite Elemente Method (XFEM) + sharp interface model, and (ii) Isogeometric Analysis (IGA) + diffuse interface model, two fundamentally different approaches to the modelling of discontinuities are investigated in this work. XFEM reduces the continuity of the approximation by introducing suitable enrichment functions according to the discontinuity to be modelled. Instead, diffuse models regularise the interface which in many cases requires even an increased continuity that is provided by the spline-based approximation. To further increase the efficiency of isogeometric discretisations of diffuse interfaces, adaptive mesh refinement and coarsening techniques based on hierarchical splines are presented. The adaptive meshes are found to reduce the number of degrees of freedom required for a certain accuracy of the approximation significantly. Selected discretisation techniques are applied to solve a coupled magneto-mechanical problem for particulate microstructures of Magnetorheological Elastomers (MRE). In combination with a computational homogenisation approach, these microscopic models allow for the prediction of the effective coupled magneto-mechanical response of MRE. Moreover, finite element models of generic MRE microstructures are coupled with a BEM domain that represents the surrounding free space in order to take into account finite sample geometries. The macroscopic behaviour is analysed in terms of actuation stresses, magnetostrictive deformations, and magnetorheological effects. The results obtained for different microstructures and various loadings have been found to be in qualitative agreement with experiments on MRE as well as analytical results.Industrielle Entwicklungsprozesse und die Forschung in Physik, Material- und Ingenieurwissenschaft greifen in einem immer stärkeren Umfang auf rechnergestützte Modellierungs- und Simulationsverfahren zurück. Die ständig steigende Rechenleistung ermöglicht dabei auch die Analyse mehrskaliger und gekoppelter Probleme. In dieser Arbeit kommt daher ein kontinuumsmechanischer Modellierungsansatz auf verschiedenen Skalen zum Einsatz. Das Ziel der Berechnungen ist dabei die Vorhersage des effektiven Material- bzw. Strukturverhaltens auf der Grundlage der lokalen Werkstoffstruktur und der Eigenschafen der konstitutiven Bestandteile. Derartige Simulationen liefern interessante Aussagen zu den Struktur-Eigenschaftsbeziehungen, deren Verständnis entscheidend für das Material- und Strukturdesign ist. Um aussagekräftige Vorhersagen des effektiven Verhaltens zu erhalten, sind numerische Modelle erforderlich, die wesentliche Eigenschaften der lokalen Materialstruktur abbilden. Dabei kommt der effizienten Modellierung von Diskontinuitäten, beispielsweise Materialgrenzen oder Rissen, eine deutlich größere Bedeutung zu als bei einer makroskopischen Betrachtung. In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden zwei unterschiedliche Modellierungsansätze für Unstetigkeiten diskutiert: (i) eine scharfe Abbildung, die üblicherweise konforme Berechnungsnetze erfordert. Da eine Evolution der Mikrostruktur bei einer derartigen Modellierung eine Topologieänderung bzw. eine aufwendige Neuvernetzung nach sich zieht, werden alternativ (ii) diffuse Modelle, die eine zusätzliche Feldvariable zur Regularisierung der Grenzfläche verwenden, betrachtet. Mit der Kombination von (i) Erweiterter Finite-Elemente-Methode (XFEM) + scharfem Grenzflächenmodell sowie (ii) Isogeometrischer Analyse (IGA) + diffuser Grenzflächenmodellierung werden in der vorliegenden Arbeit zwei fundamental verschiedene Zugänge zur Modellierung von Unstetigkeiten betrachtet. Bei der Diskretisierung mit XFEM wird die Kontinuität der Approximation durch eine Anreicherung der Ansatzfunktionen gemäß der abzubildenden Unstetigkeit reduziert. Demgegenüber erfolgt bei einer diffusen Grenzflächenmodellierung eine Regularisierung. Die dazu erforderliche zusätzliche Feldvariable führt oft zu Feldgleichungen mit partiellen Ableitungen höherer Ordnung und weist in ihrem Verlauf starke Gradienten auf. Die daraus resultierenden Anforderungen an den Ansatz werden durch eine Spline-basierte Approximation erfüllt. Um die Effizienz dieser isogeometrischen Diskretisierung weiter zu erhöhen, werden auf der Grundlage hierarchischer Splines adaptive Verfeinerungs- und Vergröberungstechniken entwickelt. Ausgewählte Diskretisierungsverfahren werden zur mehrskaligen Modellierung des gekoppelten magnetomechanischen Verhaltens von Magnetorheologischen Elastomeren (MRE) angewendet. In Kombination mit numerischen Homogenisierungsverfahren, ermöglichen die Mikrostrukturmodelle eine Vorhersage des effektiven magnetomechanischen Verhaltens von MRE. Außerderm wurden Verfahren zur Kopplung von FE-Modellen der MRE-Mikrostruktur mit einem Randelement-Modell der Umgebung vorgestellt. Mit Hilfe der entwickelten Verfahren kann das Verhalten von MRE in Form von Aktuatorspannungen, magnetostriktiven Deformationen und magnetischen Steifigkeitsänderungen vorhergesagt werden. Im Gegensatz zu zahlreichen anderen Modellierungsansätzen, stimmen die mit den hier vorgestellten Methoden für unterschiedliche Mikrostrukturen erzielten Vorhersagen sowohl mit analytischen als auch experimentellen Ergebnissen überein