3D vector finite-element electromagnetic forward modeling for large loop sources using a total-field algorithm and unstructured tetrahedral grids

Geophysics ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. E1-E16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianhui Li ◽  
Colin G. Farquharson ◽  
Xiangyun Hu
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Half Space ◽  
Complex Geometry ◽  
Forward Modeling ◽  
Coefficient Matrix ◽  
Total Field ◽  
Direct Solver ◽  
Homogeneous Half Space ◽  
Tetrahedral Grids ◽  
Vector Finite Element

Unstructured tetrahedral grids with local refinement facilitate the use of total-field solution approaches to geophysical electromagnetic (EM) forward problems. These approaches, when combined with the vector finite-element (FE) method and with refinement near transmitters and receivers, can give accurate solutions and can easily handle realistic models with complex geometry and topography. We have applied this approach to 3D forward modeling for fixed- and moving-loop configurations. MUMPS, a direct solver, was used to solve the linear system of equations generated by FE analysis. A direct solver is particularly suited to the moving-loop configuration for which the right side is different for every transmitter loop, but for which the coefficient matrix is unchanged. Therefore, the coefficient matrix need only be factorized once, and then the system can be solved efficiently for all different right sides. We compared our results with several typical scenarios from the literature: a conductive brick in a homogeneous half-space and a complex conductor at a vertical contact both for fixed-loop configurations, and a homogeneous half-space for a moving-loop configuration. We also evaluated results for the massive sulfide ore deposit of the Ovoid Zone at Voisey’s Bay, Labrador, Canada, for which we considered fixed- and moving-loop configurations. This model also provides an illustration of the complex vortex current systems that are generated by time-domain EM methods within highly conductive ore bodies in a resistive host.

3D finite-element forward modeling of electromagnetic data using vector and scalar potentials and unstructured grids

Geophysics ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. E149-E165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyedmasoud Ansari ◽  
Colin G. Farquharson
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Electric Field ◽  
Half Space ◽  
Normal Component ◽  
Forward Modeling ◽  
Computational Domain ◽  
Disk Model ◽  
Weighted Residuals ◽  
Physical Scale ◽  
Scalar Potentials

We present a finite-element solution to the 3D electromagnetic forward-modeling problem in the frequency domain. The method is based on decomposing the electric field into vector and scalar potentials in the Helmholtz equation and in the equation of conservation of charge. Edge element and nodal element basis functions were used, respectively, for the vector and scalar potentials. This decomposition was performed with the intention of satisfying the continuity of the tangential component of the electric field and the normal component of the current density across the interelement boundaries, therefore finding an efficient solution to the problem. The computational domain was subdivided into unstructured tetrahedral elements. The system of equations was discretized using the Galerkin variant of the weighted residuals method, with the approximated vector and scalar potentials as the unknowns of a sparse linear system. A generalized minimum residual solver with an incomplete LU preconditioner was used to iteratively solve the system. The solution method was validated using five examples. In the first and second examples, the fields generated by small dipoles on the surface of a homogeneous half-space were compared against their corresponding analytic solutions. The third example provided a comparison with the results from an integral equation method for a long grounded wire source on a model with a conductive block buried in a less conductive half-space. The fourth example concerned verifying the method for a large conductivity contrast where a magnetic dipole transmitter-receiver pair moves over a graphite cube immersed in brine. Solutions from the numerical approach were in good agreement with the data from physical scale modeling of this scenario. The last example verified the solution for a resistive disk model buried in marine conductive sediments. For all examples, convergence of the solution that used potentials were significantly quicker than that using the electric field.

Impact of a Rigid Sphere on an Elastic Homogeneous Half-Space

2005 ◽  
Vol 127 (2) ◽  
pp. 325-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Yang ◽  
K. Komvopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Half Space ◽  
Contact Pressure ◽  
Contact Area ◽  
Real Contact Area ◽  
Rigid Sphere ◽  
Small Surface ◽  
Real Contact ◽  
Homogeneous Half Space ◽  
The Mean

The impact of a rigid sphere moving at constant velocity on elastic homogeneous half-space was analyzed by the finite element method. Frictionless dynamic contact was modeled with special contact elements at the half-space surface. A dimensionless parameter, β, was introduced to study the effect of wave propagation on the deformation behavior. For small surface interference (β⩽1), the front of the faster propagating dilatational waves extends up to the contact edge, the real contact area is equal to the truncated area, and the contact pressure distribution is uniform. However, for large surface interference (β>1), the dilatation wave front extends beyond the contact edge, the real contact area is less than the truncated area, and the contact pressure exhibits a Hertzian-like distribution. The mean contact pressure increases abruptly at the instant of initial contact, remains constant for β⩽1, and increases gradually for β>1. Based on finite element results for the subsurface stress, strain, and velocity fields, a simple theoretical model that yields approximate closed-form relationships for the mean contact pressure and kinetic and strain energies of the half-space was derived for small surface interference (β⩽1), and its validity was confirmed by favorable comparisons with finite element results.

Impact of a Rigid Sphere on an Elastic Homogeneous Half-Space

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Yang ◽  
K. Komvopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Half Space ◽  
Contact Pressure ◽  
Contact Area ◽  
Real Contact Area ◽  
Rigid Sphere ◽  
Small Surface ◽  
Real Contact ◽  
Homogeneous Half Space ◽  
The Mean

Impact of a rigid sphere moving at constant velocity on elastic homogeneous half-space was analyzed by the finite element method. Frictionless dynamic contact was modeled with special contact elements at the half-space surface. A dimensionless parameter, β, was introduced to study the effect of wave propagation on the deformation behavior. For small surface interference (β), the front of the faster propagating dilatational waves extends up to the contact edge, the real contact area is equal to the truncated area, and the contact pressure distribution is uniform. However, for large surface interference (β ≤ 1), the dilatation wave front extends beyond the contact edge, the real contact area is less than the truncated area, and the contact pressure exhibits a Hertzian-like distribution. The mean contact pressure increases abruptly at the instant of initial contact, remains constant for β ≤ 1, and increases gradually for β > 1. Based on finite element results for the subsurface stress, strain, and velocity fields, and simple theoretical model that yields approximated closed-form relationships for the mean contact pressure and kinetic and strain energies of the half-space was derived for small surface interference (β ≤ 1), and its validity was confirmed by favor comparisons with finite element results.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document