1,837 research outputs found
Variational Integrators for Reduced Magnetohydrodynamics
Reduced magnetohydrodynamics is a simplified set of magnetohydrodynamics
equations with applications to both fusion and astrophysical plasmas,
possessing a noncanonical Hamiltonian structure and consequently a number of
conserved functionals. We propose a new discretisation strategy for these
equations based on a discrete variational principle applied to a formal
Lagrangian. The resulting integrator preserves important quantities like the
total energy, magnetic helicity and cross helicity exactly (up to machine
precision). As the integrator is free of numerical resistivity, spurious
reconnection along current sheets is absent in the ideal case. If effects of
electron inertia are added, reconnection of magnetic field lines is allowed,
although the resulting model still possesses a noncanonical Hamiltonian
structure. After reviewing the conservation laws of the model equations, the
adopted variational principle with the related conservation laws are described
both at the continuous and discrete level. We verify the favourable properties
of the variational integrator in particular with respect to the preservation of
the invariants of the models under consideration and compare with results from
the literature and those of a pseudo-spectral code.Comment: 35 page
C1-continuous space-time discretization based on Hamilton's law of varying action
We develop a class of C1-continuous time integration methods that are
applicable to conservative problems in elastodynamics. These methods are based
on Hamilton's law of varying action. From the action of the continuous system
we derive a spatially and temporally weak form of the governing equilibrium
equations. This expression is first discretized in space, considering standard
finite elements. The resulting system is then discretized in time,
approximating the displacement by piecewise cubic Hermite shape functions.
Within the time domain we thus achieve C1-continuity for the displacement field
and C0-continuity for the velocity field. From the discrete virtual action we
finally construct a class of one-step schemes. These methods are examined both
analytically and numerically. Here, we study both linear and nonlinear systems
as well as inherently continuous and discrete structures. In the numerical
examples we focus on one-dimensional applications. The provided theory,
however, is general and valid also for problems in 2D or 3D. We show that the
most favorable candidate -- denoted as p2-scheme -- converges with order four.
Thus, especially if high accuracy of the numerical solution is required, this
scheme can be more efficient than methods of lower order. It further exhibits,
for linear simple problems, properties similar to variational integrators, such
as symplecticity. While it remains to be investigated whether symplecticity
holds for arbitrary systems, all our numerical results show an excellent
long-term energy behavior.Comment: slightly condensed the manuscript, added references, numerical
results unchange
Polynomial mechanics and optimal control
We describe a new algorithm for trajectory optimization of mechanical
systems. Our method combines pseudo-spectral methods for function approximation
with variational discretization schemes that exactly preserve conserved
mechanical quantities such as momentum. We thus obtain a global discretization
of the Lagrange-d'Alembert variational principle using pseudo-spectral methods.
Our proposed scheme inherits the numerical convergence characteristics of
spectral methods, yet preserves momentum-conservation and symplecticity after
discretization. We compare this algorithm against two other established methods
for two examples of underactuated mechanical systems; minimum-effort swing-up
of a two-link and a three-link acrobot.Comment: Final version to EC
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