The auxiliary space preconditioner for the de Rham complex

We generalize the construction and analysis of auxiliary space preconditioners to the n-dimensional finite element subcomplex of the de Rham complex. These preconditioners are based on a generalization of a decomposition of Sobolev space functions into a regular part and a potential. A discrete version is easily established using the tools of finite element exterior calculus. We then discuss the four-dimensional de Rham complex in detail. By identifying forms in four dimensions (4D) with simple proxies, form operations are written out in terms of familiar algebraic operations on matrices, vectors, and scalars. This provides the basis for our implementation of the preconditioners in 4D. Extensive numerical experiments illustrate their performance, practical scalability, and parameter robustness, all in accordance with the theory

Parallel Element-Based Algebraic Multigrid for H (Curl) And H (Div) Problems Using the Parelag Library

This paper presents the use of element-based algebraic multigrid (AMGe) hierarchies, implemented in the Parallel Element Agglomeration Algebraic Multigrid Upscaling and Solvers (ParELAG) library, to produce multilevel preconditioners and solvers for H (curl) and H (div) formulations. ParELAG constructs hierarchies of compatible nested spaces, forming an exact de Rham sequence on each level. This allows the application of hybrid smoothers on all levels and the Auxiliary-Space Maxwell Solver or the Auxiliary-Space Divergence Solver on the coarsest levels, obtaining complete multigrid cycles. Numerical results are presented, showing the parallel performance of the proposed methods. As a part of the exposition, this paper demonstrates some of the capabilities of ParELAG and outlines some of the components and procedures within the library

Space-Time Discretizations Using Constrained First-Order System Least Squares (CFOSLS)

This paper studies finite element discretizations for three types of time-dependent PDEs, namely heat equation, scalar conservation law and wave equation, which we reformulate as first order systems in a least-squares setting subject to a space-time conservation constraint (coming from the original PDE). Available piece- wise polynomial finite element spaces in (n + 1)-dimensions for functional spaces from the (n + 1)-dimensional de Rham sequence for n = 3, 4 are used for the implementation of the method. Computational results illustrating the error behavior, iteration counts and performance of block-diagonal and monolithic geometric multi- grid preconditioners are presented for the discrete CFOSLS system. The results are obtained from a parallel implementation of the methods for which we report reasonable scalability

Substructuring the Hiptmair-Xu preconditioner for positive Maxwell problems

Considering positive Maxwell problems, we propose a substructured version of the Hiptmair-Xu preconditioner based on a new formula that expresses the inverse of Schur systems in terms of the inverse matrix of the global volume problem

Hybridizable compatible finite element discretizations for numerical weather prediction: implementation and analysis

There is a current explosion of interest in new numerical methods for atmospheric modeling. A driving force behind this is the need to be able to simulate, with high efficiency, large-scale geophysical flows on increasingly more parallel computer systems. Many current operational models, including that of the UK Met Office, depend on orthogonal meshes, such as the latitude-longitude grid. This facilitates the development of finite difference discretizations with favorable numerical properties. However, such methods suffer from the ``pole problem," which prohibits the model to make efficient use of a large number of computing processors due to excessive concentration of grid-points at the poles. Recently developed finite element discretizations, known as ``compatible" finite elements, avoid this issue while maintaining the key numerical properties essential for accurate geophysical simulations. Moreover, these properties can be obtained on arbitrary, non-orthogonal meshes. However, the efficient solution of the resulting discrete systems depend on transforming the mixed velocity-pressure (or velocity-pressure-buoyancy) system into an elliptic problem for the pressure. This is not so straightforward within the compatible finite element framework due to inter-element coupling. This thesis supports the proposition that systems arising from compatible finite element discretizations can be solved efficiently using a technique known as ``hybridization." Hybridization removes inter-element coupling while maintaining the desired numerical properties. This permits the construction of sparse, elliptic problems, for which fast solver algorithms are known, using localized algebra. We first introduce the technique for compatible finite element discretizations of simplified atmospheric models. We then develop a general software abstraction for the rapid implementation and composition of hybridization methods, with an emphasis on preconditioning. Finally, we extend the technique for a new compatible method for the full, compressible atmospheric equations used in operational models.Open Acces

Discretisations and Preconditioners for Magnetohydrodynamics Models

The magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) equations are generally known to be difficult to solve numerically, due to their highly nonlinear structure and the strong coupling between the electromagnetic and hydrodynamic variables, especially for high Reynolds and coupling numbers. In the first part of this work, we present a scalable augmented Lagrangian preconditioner for a finite element discretisation of the $\mathbf{B}$-$\mathbf{E}$ formulation of the incompressible viscoresistive MHD equations. For stationary problems, our solver achieves robust performance with respect to the Reynolds and coupling numbers in two dimensions and good results in three dimensions. Our approach relies on specialised parameter-robust multigrid methods for the hydrodynamic and electromagnetic blocks. The scheme ensures exactly divergence-free approximations of both the velocity and the magnetic field up to solver tolerances. In the second part, we focus on incompressible, resistive Hall MHD models and derive structure-preserving finite element methods for these equations. We present a variational formulation of Hall MHD that enforces the magnetic Gauss's law precisely (up to solver tolerances) and prove the well-posedness of a Picard linearisation. For the transient problem, we present time discretisations that preserve the energy and magnetic and hybrid helicity precisely in the ideal limit for two types of boundary conditions. In the third part, we investigate anisothermal MHD models. We start by performing a bifurcation analysis for a magnetic Rayleigh--B\'enard problem at a high coupling number $S=1{,}000$ by choosing the Rayleigh number in the range between 0 and $100{,}000$ as the bifurcation parameter. We study the effect of the coupling number on the bifurcation diagram and outline how we create initial guesses to obtain complex solution patterns and disconnected branches for high coupling numbers.Comment: Doctoral thesis, Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford. 174 page

Nonconforming finite element Stokes complexes in three dimensions

Two nonconforming finite element Stokes complexes ended with the nonconforming $P_1$-$P_0$ element for the Stokes equation in three dimensions are constructed. And commutative diagrams are also shown by combining nonconforming finite element Stokes complexes and interpolation operators. The lower order $\boldsymbol H(\textrm{grad}~\textrm{curl})$-nonconforming finite element only has $14$ degrees of freedom, whose basis functions are explicitly given in terms of the barycentric coordinates. The $\boldsymbol H(\textrm{grad}~\textrm{curl})$-nonconforming elements are applied to solve the quad-curl problem, and optimal convergence is derived. By the nonconforming finite element Stokes complexes, the mixed finite element methods of the quad-curl problem is decoupled into two mixed methods of the Maxwell equation and the nonconforming $P_1$-$P_0$ element method for the Stokes equation, based on which a fast solver is developed.Comment: 20 page