FEM for a nonlinear parabolic PDE

I'm looking to numerically compute the solution to

$$k(x,u) \partial_t u - \Delta u = f \quad\quad\text{ in } \Omega \times [0,T]$$

where $k$ is a continuous but nonlinear (in $u$) real-valued function and $\Omega \subseteq \mathbb{R}^2$. I want to use the Finite Element Method, but I cannot seem to manage the nonlinear $k$. I wrote the code myself and it already works for $k = const$, i.e. in the "standard case".

My problem is, that I cannot get rid of the $k(u)$ factor and therefore don't reach a formula like $$M \dot{u} - A u = F$$ like in page 80 here (mass matrix $M$, stiffness matrix $A$). I also can't seem to reach any formulation which would allow me to apply the Newton method or something similar. Is it even possible to use a FEM approach in this case?

Any help or reference is appreciated.

• Hi mstrkft and welcome to scicomp! In general, if your PDE is non-linear, then you should expect your system of equations will also be non-linear and will need to consider a non-linear solver such as newton method. – Paul Dec 16 '14 at 20:14
• Hi Paul, thank you for your answer. I already managed to derive a implicit Finite Volume solver based on the Newton method. However, I want to use a FEM approach, but I can't seem to bring this into a form, where I can use the Newton method. – mstrkrft Dec 17 '14 at 8:17

If you employ implicit Euler for that, at every time step $l$, you will have to solve the system
$$-\tau \Delta u^l+k(u^l)u^l = k(u^{l-1})u^{l-1} + \tau [ \Delta u^{l-1} + f^l],$$
You will have to iterate out the problem. After discretization, you get a problem of the form $$M(U^n) U^n + \Delta t \; A U^n = F^n(U^{n-1})$$ where the mass matrix depends on the solution $U^n$ of the n-th time step. This nonlinear system of equations has to be solved by an iteration, e.g., the Newton method.