Finite Element Methods and Iterative Refinement Techniques for Partial Differential Equations Involving Interfaces

Abstract

A second order finite difference method has been developed for elliptic interface problems that involve discontinuous coefficients, singular source terms, non-smooth or even discontinuous coefficients across an arbitrary interface. The method is based on Cartesian grids and coupled with a multigrid solver. The new method will preserve the discrete maximum principle. The convergence of the new method has been proved. Two different finite element spaces and corresponding Galerkin methods for elliptic interface problems using Cartesian grids have been developed. Some theoretical results about these finite element methods are also obtained. We believe that we are the first to develop these new finite element spaces over Cartesian grids. Some public subroutines of fast solvers for Helmholtz and Poisson equations on irregular domains either exterior or interior with various boundary conditions have been developed and made public In collaboration with J. K. Hunter of UC Davis and H. K. Zhao of UC Irvine, we formulate a model for the spreading on a surface of a drop that deposits an autophobic monolayer of surfactant We present numerical solutions of the model equations using an immersed interface method and a level set method.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 30, 2003
Accession Number
ADA413105

Entities

People

  • Kazufumi Ito
  • Zhilin Li

Organizations

  • North Carolina State University

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Algorithms
  • Boundaries
  • Convergence
  • Differential Equations
  • Equations
  • Finite Element Analysis
  • Geometry
  • Grids
  • Helmholtz Equations
  • Materials
  • Mathematics
  • Monomolecular Films
  • Navier Stokes Equations
  • Partial Differential Equations
  • Physical Properties
  • Poisson Equation
  • Three Dimensional

Fields of Study

  • Mathematics

Readers

  • Finite Element Method (FEM) for solving Partial Differential Equations (PDEs)

Technology Areas

  • Space