Abstract

In this paper we consider the application of hierarchical functions to base approximations which are a partition of unity. The particular hierarchical functions used are added to base finite element interpolations which, for Co approximations, are a particular case of the partition of unity. We also show how the functions may be constructed to preserve the interpolation property of the base finite element functions. An application to linear elasticity is used to illustrate the properties and stability of the approximation. 

Abstract

Calculations on general point-set surfaces are attractive because of their flexibility and simplicity in the preprocessing but present important challenges. The absence of a mesh makes it nontrivial to decide if two neighboring points in the three-dimensional embedding are nearby or rather far apart on the manifold. Furthermore, the topology of surfaces is generally not that of an open two-dimensional set, ruling out global parametrizations. We propose a general and simple numerical method analogous to the mathematical theory of manifolds, in which the point-set surface is described by a set of overlapping charts forming a complete atlas. We proceed in four steps: (1) partitioning of the node set into subregions of trivial topology; (2) automatic detection of the geometric structure of the surface patches by nonlinear dimensionality reduction methods; (3) parametrization of the surface using smooth meshfree (here maximum-entropy ) approximants; and (4) gluing together the patch representations by means of a partition of unity. Each patch may be viewed as a meshfree macro-element. We exemplify the generality, flexibility, and accuracy of the proposed approach by numerically approximating the geometrically nonlinear Kirchhoff–Love theory of thin-shells. We analyze standard benchmark tests as well as point-set surfaces of complex geometry and topology.

Abstract

The treatment of (near-)incompressibility is a major concern for the simulation of rubber-like parts, or forming processes. The use of mixed finite element methods is known to prevent the locking of the F.E. approximation in the incompressible limit. However, the stability of these formulations is conditionned by the fullfilment of the inf-sup condition. Recently, finite elements method has evolved with the introduction of the partition of unity. The X-FEM uses it to remove the need to mesh (and remesh) physical surfaces. In this paper, a strategy is proposed for the treatment of holes within X-FEM in the incompressible setting. Numerical examples show that F.E. convergence rate is preserved and that the inf-sup condition is passed.

Abstract

It is well known that model order reduction techniques that project the solution of the problem at hand onto alow-dimensional subspace present difficulties when this solution lies on a non-linear manifold. To overcomethese difficulties—notably, an undesirable augment in the number of requiredmodesin the solution—severalsolutions have been suggested. Among them we can cite the use of non-linear dimensionality reductiontechniques or, alternatively, the employ of local linear reduced order approaches. These last approachesusually present the difficulty of ensuring continuity between these local models. Here, a new method ispresented that ensures this continuity by resorting to the paradigm of the partition of unity, while employing Proper Generalized Decompositions at each local patch.

Abstract

Solutions of partial differential equations could exhibit a multiscale behavior. Standard discretization techniques are constraints to mesh up to the finest scale to predict accurately the response of the system. The proposed methodology is based on the standard proper generalized decomposition rationale; thus, the PDE is transformed into a nonlinear system that iterates between microscale and macroscale states, where the time coordinate could be viewed as a 2D time, representing the microtime and macrotime scales. The macroscale effects are taken into account because of an FEM-based macrodiscretization, whereas the microscale effects are handled with unidimensional parent spaces that are replicated throughout the domain. The proposed methodology can be seen as an alternative route to circumvent prohibitive meshes arising from the necessity of capturing fine-scale behaviors.