Application of the p-version of the finite-element method to global-local problems

A brief survey is given of some recent developments in finite-element analysis technology which bear upon the three main research areas under consideration in this workshop: (1) analysis methods; (2) software testing and quality assurance; and (3) parallel processing. The variational principle incorporated in a finite-element computer program, together with a particular set of input data, determines the exact solution corresponding to that input data. Most finite-element analysis computer programs are based on the principle of virtual work. In the following, researchers consider only programs based on the principle of virtual work and denote the exact displacement vector field corresponding to some specific set of input data by vector u(EX). The exact solution vector u(EX) is independent of the design of the mesh or the choice of elements. Except for very simple problems, or specially constructed test problems, vector u(EX) is not known. Researchers perform a finite-element analysis (or any other numerical analysis) because they wish to make conclusions concerning the response of a physical system to certain imposed conditions, as if vector u(EX) were known

Solution of geometrically nonlinear statics problems by the p-version of the finite element method

This project is concerned with the possibility of using computers for the simulation of structural systems with the same degree of reliability as full scale physical experiments. Reliable numerical simulation will make it possible to reduce the costs of engineering and improve the quality of engineering decisions based on computed information. An error of idealization is an error between the actual physical quantities on which engineering decisions are based (e.g., maximum principal stress, first natural frequency, etc.) and the same data corresponding to the exact solution of the mathematical model. An error of discretization is an error between the quantities of interest corresponding to the exact and approximate solutions of a mathematical model. A high degree of reliability can be achieved in numerical simulation only if both the errors of idealization and errors of discretization can be shown to be small

The p-version of the finite element method in incremental elasto-plastic analysis

Whereas the higher-order versions of the finite elements method (the p- and hp-version) are fairly well established as highly efficient methods for monitoring and controlling the discretization error in linear problems, little has been done to exploit their benefits in elasto-plastic structural analysis. Aspects of incremental elasto-plastic finite element analysis which are particularly amenable to improvements by the p-version is discussed. These theoretical considerations are supported by several numerical experiments. First, an example for which an analytical solution is available is studied. It is demonstrated that the p-version performs very well even in cycles of elasto-plastic loading and unloading, not only as compared to the traditional h-version but also in respect to the exact solution. Finally, an example of considerable practical importance - the analysis of a cold-worked lug - is presented which demonstrates how the modeling tools offered by higher-order finite element techniques can contribute to an improved approximation of practical problems

High order finite element calculations for the deterministic Cahn-Hilliard equation

In this work, we propose a numerical method based on high degree continuous nodal elements for the Cahn-Hilliard evolution. The use of the p-version of the finite element method proves to be very efficient and favorably compares with other existing strategies (C^1 elements, adaptive mesh refinement, multigrid resolution, etc). Beyond the classical benchmarks, a numerical study has been carried out to investigate the influence of a polynomial approximation of the logarithmic free energy and the bifurcations near the first eigenvalue of the Laplace operator

Interpolation in Jacobi-weighted spaces and its application to a posteriori error estimations of the p-version of the finite element method

The goal of this work is to introduce a local and a global interpolator in Jacobi-weighted spaces, with optimal order of approximation in the context of the $p$-version of finite element methods. Then, an a posteriori error indicator of the residual type is proposed for a model problem in two dimensions and, in the mathematical framework of the Jacobi-weighted spaces, the equivalence between the estimator and the error is obtained on appropriate weighted norm

Solution of elastic-plastic stress analysis problems by the p-version of the finite element method

The solution of small strain elastic-plastic stress analysis problems by the p-version of the finite element method is discussed. The formulation is based on the deformation theory of plasticity and the displacement method. Practical realization of controlling discretization errors for elastic-plastic problems is the main focus. Numerical examples which include comparisons between the deformation and incremental theories of plasticity under tight control of discretization errors are presented

BUCKY instruction manual, version 3.3

The computer program BUCKY is a p-version finite element package for the solution of structural problems. The current version of BUCKY solves the 2-D plane stress, 3-D plane stress plasticity, 3-D axisymmetric, Mindlin and Kirchoff plate bending, and buckling problems. The p-version of the finite element method is a highly accurate version of the traditional finite element method. Example cases are presented to show the accuracy and application of BUCKY

Efficient multi-level hp-finite elements in arbitrary dimensions

We present an efficient algorithmic framework for constructing multi-level hp-bases that uses a data-oriented approach that easily extends to any number of dimensions and provides a natural framework for performance-optimized implementations. We only operate on the bounding faces of finite elements without considering their lower-dimensional topological features and demonstrate the potential of the presented methods using a newly written open-source library. First, we analyze a Fichera corner and show that the framework does not increase runtime and memory consumption when compared against the classical p-version of the finite element method. Then, we compute a transient example with dynamic refinement and derefinement, where we also obtain the expected convergence rates and excellent performance in computing time and memory usage

Extracting generalized edge flux intensity functions with the quasidual function method along circular 3-D edges

International audienceExplicit asymptotic series describing solutions to the Laplace equation in the vicinity of a circular edge in a three-dimensional domain was recently provided in Yosibash et al, Int. Jour. Fracture, 168 (2011), pp. 31-52. Utilizing it, we extend the quasidual function method (QDFM) for extracting the generalized edge flux intensity functions (GEFIFs) along circular singular edges in the cases of axisymmetric and non-axisymmetric data. This accurate and efficient method provides a functional approximation of the GEFIFs along the circular edge whose order is adaptively increased so to approximate the exact GEFIFs. It is implemented as a post-solution operation in conjunction with the p-version of the finite element method. The mathematical analysis of the QDFM is provided, followed by numerical investigations, demonstrating the efficiency, robustness and high accuracy of the proposed quasi-dual function method. The mathematical machinery developed in the framework of the Laplace operator is important to realize its possible extension for the elasticity system

Hierarchic Extensions in the Static and Dynamic Analysis of Elastic Beams

Approximate solutions of static and dynamic beam problems by the p-version of the finite element method are investigated. Within a hierarchy of engineering beam idealizations, rigorous formulations of the strain and kinetic energies for straight and circular beam elements are presented. These formulations include rotating coordinate system effects and geometric nonlinearities to allow for the evaluation of vertical axis wind turbines, the motivating problem for this research. Hierarchic finite element spaces, based on extensions of the polynomial orders used to approximate the displacement variables, are constructed. The developed models are implemented into a general purpose computer program for evaluation. Quality control procedures are examined for a diverse set of sample problems. These procedures include estimating discretization errors in energy norm and natural frequencies, performing static and dynamic equilibrium checks, observing convergence for qualities of interest, and comparison with more exacting theories and experimental data. It is demonstrated that p-extensions produce exponential rates of convergence in the approximation of strain energy and natural frequencies for the class of problems investigated