Questions tagged [finite-element]

A means of solving ordinary and partial differential equations. The domain of the problem is broken up into elements, and the solution in each element is expanded in a basis of functions. The Finite Element Method lends itself well to adaptive refinement, irregular geometry, and good error estimates.

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Which preconditioners (and solver) in PETSc for indefinite symmetric systems should I use?

My system is a symmetric FE problem with lagrange multipliers (e.g. incompressible Stokes' flow): \begin{pmatrix}A & B^T \\ B & C\end{pmatrix} where $C = 0$ is the typical case (I have even ...
Mikael Öhman's user avatar
12 votes
1 answer
378 views

How to integrate polynomial expression over 3D 4-node element?

I want to integrate a polynomial expression over a 4-node element in 3D. Several books on FEA cover the case where integrating is performed over an arbitrary flat 4-noned element. The usual procedure ...
danny_23's user avatar
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11 votes
2 answers
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Space-time finite element discretization for time-dependent PDEs

In FEM literature, semi-variational methods are typically used in the solution of time-dependent PDEs. I have not seen a fully-variational approach i.e. where space and time are discretised by FEM, ...
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11 votes
1 answer
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Raviart-Thomas elements on reference square

I'd like to learn how the Raviart-Thomas (RT) element works. To that end I'd like to analytically describe how the basis functions look on the reference square. The goal here is not to implement it ...
Lukas Bystricky's user avatar
10 votes
1 answer
1k views

$L^2$-convergence of finite element method when right hand side is only in $H^{-1}$ (Poisson eqn)

I know that the piecewise linear finite element approximation $u_h$ of $$ \Delta u(x)=f(x)\quad\text{in }U\\ u(x)=0\quad\text{on }\partial U $$ satisfies $$ \|u-u_h\|_{H^1_0(U)}\leq Ch\|f\|_{L^2(U)} $...
Bananach's user avatar
  • 799
10 votes
2 answers
2k views

Are 8 Gauss points required for second order hexahedral finite elements?

Is it possible to get second order accuracy for hexahedral finite elements with fewer than 8 Gauss points without introducing unphysical modes? A single central Gauss point introduces an unphysical ...
Geoffrey Irving's user avatar
10 votes
3 answers
8k views

What is the difference between implicit FEM and explicit FEM?

What is the difference between explicit FEM and implicit FEM exactly? According to the post here, it seems that the only difference is whether implicit or explicit time integration is used. As I ...
Fei Zhu's user avatar
  • 335
10 votes
2 answers
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FEM for vector valued problems: reference request

I'm a PhD working in a computational mechanics lab. I come from a Math department, and I have a good background for what concerns the basics of finite elements, like inf-sup conditions, DG, non-...
bob_bill's user avatar
10 votes
1 answer
583 views

Resources on mesh generation for finite element methods

I know that this is not really apart of the rules as this is a recommendation question and these don't really have an answer per say. But, like this forum posting: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/...
philm's user avatar
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9 votes
1 answer
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What numerical quadrature to choose to integrate a function with singularities?

For example, I would like to numerically compute the $L^2$-norm of $\displaystyle u = \frac{1}{(x^2+y^2+z^2)^{1/3}}$ in some domain that includes zero, I tried Gauss quadrature and it fails, it is ...
Shuhao Cao's user avatar
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9 votes
3 answers
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Who uses finite elements with higher continuity?

Lagrange elements of any polynomial describe piecewise continuous functions. Typically, those functions are differentiable. Mixed finite element methods use vector fields of even less continuity, such ...
shuhalo's user avatar
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9 votes
5 answers
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Is discontinuous Galerkin really any more parallelizable than continuous Galerkin?

I've always heard that easy parallelization was one of the advantages of DG methods, but I don't really see why any of those reasons don't also apply to continuous Galerkin.
Truman Ellis's user avatar
8 votes
2 answers
364 views

Stabilization of convection-dominated flow and turbulence modeling

Are stabilization techniques for convection-dominated flows like SUPG+PSPG, interior penalty methods, etc. able to handle turbulent flows without tubulence model being employed, at least up to some ...
Jan Blechta's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
596 views

Finite element convergence rates for mixed problems

I've coded up a Stokes Flow problem using finite elements and am in the process of verifying that it works. I'm just not sure what convergence rate I should be expecting as I globally refine the mesh. ...
Lukas Bystricky's user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
3k views

implementing higher order derivatives for finite element

I am implementing higher order derivatives for FEM. Example, to solve a Poisson problem, biharmonic or triharmonic PDE one needs first, second or third order derivatives respectively. As usually ...
uli.xu's user avatar
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7 votes
3 answers
735 views

Mixed Finite Element Method for the Stokes System—Some Implementation Details

I am currently working on my bachelor’s diploma. The research concerns mixed finite element method for the 2D Stokes system $$ - \Delta \boldsymbol u + \nabla p = \boldsymbol f, \quad \boldsymbol x \...
56th's user avatar
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7 votes
1 answer
640 views

Why are functional representations of systems important in numerical applications?

I tried asking a similar question in SE.Physics, and I got some information regarding the abstract side of this, but I figured I should post here to get more complete information about the numerical ...
Ron's user avatar
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7 votes
1 answer
772 views

Which preconditioning for large linear elasticity problem?

The problem I want to solve is the displacement formulation of the linear elasticity : $$ \nabla \cdot \sigma = 0 \quad \text{in} \quad \Omega \\ \sigma = \lambda ( \nabla \cdot u ) I + \mu (\nabla \...
maxence5694's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
2k views

Appropriate space for weak solutions to an elliptical pde with mixed inhomogeneous boundary conditions

I'm working with the following mixed inhomogeneous boundary value problem: $\nabla(\kappa\nabla u)=f$ in $\Omega$ with $\partial\Omega = \Omega_1 \bigcup\Omega_2$ such that $u=g$ on $\partial\...
Paul's user avatar
  • 12k
6 votes
2 answers
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Implementing the pressure correction method using finite elements

Ok so I am nearing the completion of my finite element Navier-Stokes solver that uses the $\theta$-method for time stepping and the pressure correction method for the pressure. I am following the ...
James's user avatar
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6 votes
1 answer
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Find the direction of the gradient on a finite element mesh

Suppose we have a triangular mesh of a two dimensional shape $\Omega$, and on this mesh we define a P1 finite element structure. I know that given $u,v$ by their values at the vertices of the ...
Finite_el_gradient's user avatar
6 votes
0 answers
159 views

Do practice and theory differ substantially when implementing Neumann Boundary Conditions using a Mixed Method?

I have implemented a pretty straightforward finite element solver for the following Poisson equation. For the purposes of this question we can assume the source term and the Dirichlet data both ...
fred's user avatar
  • 1,000
6 votes
1 answer
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How are rigid bodies implemented in finite element codes

I am writing a finite element code for structural analysis, and I want to implement rigid bodies. How is this usually done? Say that I have a square mesh, with one half of the mesh being defined rigid ...
lijas's user avatar
  • 193
5 votes
3 answers
975 views

implicit vs. explicit domain decomposition methods

I've been working on a finite element code on unstructured methods, which I've parallelized using the Schur complement method. Here's a summary of how I did it: Assign each triangle of the mesh to a ...
Daniel Shapero's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
634 views

Solving Poisson equation with current BC using FEM

I have a 3-dimensional domain D, with 3 types of BC which I am trying to solve the Poisson equation on. $$-\nabla \cdot (\sigma(x,y,z)\nabla u)=0$$ Insulator (Neumann BC) Electrode set at some ...
Grandmaster Bator's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
2k views

Mixed boundary conditions Finite Element Method

I have the following problem in Finite Element Method $$ -(\alpha u')' + \beta u' + \gamma u = f$$ with $ \Omega = (0, 1)$, $ u(0) = 0 $ and $ u'(1) = 3 $ to be able to write the weak formulation ...
BRabbit27's user avatar
  • 1,029
5 votes
1 answer
805 views

Dirichlet boundary conditions in generalized eigenvalue problem

Let us consider a problem of the form $$(\mathcal{L} + k^2) u(\mathbf{x})=0\, ,\quad \forall \mathbf{x} \in \Omega$$ with Dirichlet boundary conditions $$u(\mathbf{x}) = 0, \quad \forall \mathbf{x} ...
nicoguaro's user avatar
  • 8,490
5 votes
2 answers
331 views

Preconditioner for the GMRES method in the Uzawa algorithm

I'm trying to solve \begin{equation}\left\{ \begin{split} \frac{\partial u}{\partial t}+(u\cdot\nabla)u-\nu\Delta u+\frac1\rho\nabla p&=f\;\;\;\text{in }\Lambda\\ u&=0\;\;\;\text{on }\partial\...
0xbadf00d's user avatar
  • 283
5 votes
1 answer
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What are all these functions in FEM? Shape function vs Basis Function vs Trial Function vs Test Function vs Interpolation Function

I am a novice in FEM. I have some experience with FDM which was pretty straight forward. Since I have a confusion with a number of concepts, I will try to break them down by writing down what I have ...
GRANZER's user avatar
  • 225
5 votes
1 answer
3k views

FEM: which is the correct way to impose Dirichlet B.C

I know the Neumann B.C. is implicit in FEM language. However, I have seen at least two ways to impose Dirichlet B.C. e.g. for the following problem 1D, $$\nabla^2 u + \nabla u= 0, u_{left}= 1, u_{...
lorniper's user avatar
  • 593
5 votes
2 answers
2k views

Do I need to impose boundary conditions in the Jacobian matrix?

In the framework of Finite Element Method, when the Newton method is used, we solve $J(x^k) \delta x = -f(x^k)$, and the increment $\delta x$ would not change some entries from $x^k$ related to ...
Frederico Teixeira's user avatar
5 votes
5 answers
1k views

Introductions to hp-FEM

do you know good introductions into or surveys $hp$-adaptive finite elements? In particular I do not know how the heuristics for choosing spatial refinement or increased polynomial degree are ...
shuhalo's user avatar
  • 3,660
5 votes
1 answer
220 views

trilinear hex elements

Do the faces of tri-linear hex elements have to be planar? Three nodes define a plane. If the fourth node does not lie on the plane, then the nodes are not planar and the face is not plane. In general,...
NNN's user avatar
  • 742
4 votes
1 answer
1k views

$L^2$-error in FEM: how to compute integral over reference element?

I have the following problem. The domain is $(0,1)$ and we consider a uniform triangulation on $\hat{\Omega}$ with elements $K_i = [i/N,(i+1)/N]$ and $X_h^1$ the linear finite element space. I wrote ...
wrong_path's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
2k views

Inverse isoparametric mappings for quadrilateral finite elements

I have an isoparametric mapping $F_{E}: \hat{E} \to E$ where $\hat{E}$ is a reference quadrilateral (square) and $E$ is some quadrilateral in the domain $\Omega$. If $E$ is a parallelogram, then the ...
Justin Dong's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
709 views

Finite Difference and Finite Volume as special cases of Finite Element

I have heard this many times that "FD is a special case of FE" and separately, that "FV is a special case of FE". However I have never come across a brief document that substantiates that claim, ...
Fi Zixer's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
360 views

computing higher order derivatives with linear elements

Consider the following equation on $(0,1)$, with Dirichlet boundary conditions on both ends. $$ \frac{d}{dx}\left(k(x)\frac{du}{dx}\right) = 0 $$ Let us solve this using simple linear finite elements. ...
NNN's user avatar
  • 742
4 votes
0 answers
92 views

Extrapolation after successive finite element refinement

I wish to compute a certain function $\lambda$ (in my case an eigenvalue of the Laplacian) to a certain accuracy, which I wish to guarantee, if possible. I started with a finite element method. I know ...
Beni Bogosel's user avatar
  • 1,037
4 votes
1 answer
4k views

Meaning of CFL condition on parabolic problems

I've been studying this FEM theory and for the parabolic problems, there's the analysis of stability of the $\theta$-method. I followed the analysis and they get this CFL (Courant-Friedrich-Lewy) ...
BRabbit27's user avatar
  • 1,029
4 votes
2 answers
3k views

Efficently invert tiny matrix in Fortran

I have a piece of code in Fortran90 in which I have to solve both a non-linear (with the Newton-Raphson method, for which I have to invert the Jacobian matrix) and a linear system of equations. When I ...
user2078621's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
448 views

1D FEM for nonlinear diffusion coefficient

I want to solve with linear finite elements the equation $$\partial_t u = \partial_{x}(a(u)\partial_xu)$$ in the domain $t \in [0,1]$ and $x \in [-L,L]$. Here $a(u)$ is just a function of $u$. ...
Vefhug's user avatar
  • 309
4 votes
4 answers
1k views

FEM shape functions on triangular elements: transition from 2D to 3D

I'm writing a code for solving PDEs through the finite element method. In particular, I'm facing with 3D problems, in which I don't know how to calculate shape functions derivatives on the boundaries (...
Federico Giai Pron's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
2k views

Using Gmsh to create a mesh with zero thickness (quad) interface elements

I acknowledge the following post where a similar question is posed and a very nice answer has been provided: Is there a mesh generator that will generate zero thickness elements for interfaces? ...
Steyn W.'s user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
604 views

Finite element error for second order ODE at nodes equal to zero

I coded a finite element method with linear basis elements for the problem $$-u'' = f(x), x\in[0,1], u(0) = u(1) = 0$$ The nodes are uniformly spaced and I will denote them as $x_i$. I initially ...
Kurt's user avatar
  • 513
3 votes
1 answer
311 views

Bubnov-Galerkin method in 1D: how to handle convective-type nonlinearity?

Consider the BVP: find $u = u(x)$, for $x \in (0,1)$ that satisfies \begin{align} u'' + u u' = f, \\ u'(0) = g_n, u(1) = g_d. \end{align} To derive the weak form for this BVP, we multiply the first ...
A. B. Marnie's user avatar
3 votes
0 answers
109 views

numerical instabilities in Fluid Dynamics, Finite Element Method

I'm looking for references to understand where the numerical instabilities come from in hydrodynamics in general, and notably when the Péclet number: $Pe>1$. I'm using the finite element method. ...
J.A's user avatar
  • 171
3 votes
3 answers
599 views

$H^1$-convergence rate of finite element method for Poisson equation, depending on element order

I wanted to verify my FEM-program by applying the method of manufactured solutions, while solving the Poisson equation in two dimensions using the continuous Galerkin method $$-\nabla^2u=f$$ with $$u=...
arc_lupus's user avatar
  • 543
3 votes
3 answers
386 views

What numerical methods are used to model deformations in elastic physics?

What numerical methods are used to model deformations in elastic physics? For example, here's an example of a hyperelastic deformation in Ansys: Perhaps more simply than hyperelasticity, for linear ...
wyer33's user avatar
  • 767
3 votes
2 answers
262 views

Does length unit in FEM affect numerical condition?

I try to solve a system of coupled PDEs using FEM. Unfortunately, the originating matrix has very poor condition. After days of double checking and thinking, I suspect the following reason: Given a ...
Michael's user avatar
  • 1,463
3 votes
1 answer
778 views

Jump condition for elliptic equation in standard finite element method

Consider the elliptic PDE $ -\mathrm{div}(k(x)\nabla u) = f(x) \in \Omega$ and $u = 0$ on $\partial \Omega$ If $k(x)$ is piecewise constant across an interface $\Gamma$ in the domain, then we ...
me10240's user avatar
  • 435