Implicit-explicit multistep formulations for finite element discretisations using continuous interior penalty

We consider a finite element method with symmetric stabilisation for the discretisation of the transient convection--diffusion equation. For the time-discretisation we consider either the second order backwards differentiation formula or the Crank-Nicolson method. Both the convection term and the associated stabilisation are treated explicitly using an extrapolated approximate solution. We prove stability of the method and the $\tau^2 + h^{p+{\frac12}}$ error estimates for the $L^2$-norm under either the standard hyperbolic CFL condition, when piecewise affine ($p=1$) approximation is used, or in the case of finite element approximation of order $p \ge 1$, a stronger, so-called $4/3$-CFL, i.e. $\tau \leq C h^{4/3}$. The theory is illustrated with some numerical examples.

The Stefan problem in a thermomechanical context with fracture and fluid flow

The classical Stefan problem, concerning mere heat-transfer during solid-liquid phase transition, is here enhanced towards mechanical effects. The Eulerian description at large displacements is used with convective and Zaremba-Jaumann corotational time derivatives, linearized by exploiting the additive Green-Naghdi’s decomposition in (objective) rates. In particular, the liquid phase is a viscoelastic fluid while creep and rupture of the solid phase is considered in the Jeffreys viscoelastic rheology exploiting the phase-field model, exploiting a concept of slightly (so-called “semi”) compressible materials. The $L^1$-theory for the heat equation is adopted for the Stefan problem relaxed by allowing for kinetic superheating/supercooling effects during the solid-liquid phase transition. A rigorous proof of existence of week solutions is provided for an incomplete melting, exploiting a time-discretisation approximation.

Construction and convergence analysis of conservative second order local time discretisation for linear wave equations

In this work we present and analyse a time discretisation strategy for linear wave equations that aims at using locally in space the most adapted time discretisation among a family of implicit or explicit centered second order schemes. The proposed family of schemes is adapted to domain decomposition methods such as the mortar element method. They correspond in that case to local implicit schemes and to local time stepping. We show that, if some regularity properties of the solution are satisfied and if the time step verifies a stability condition, then the family of proposed time discretisations provides, in a strong norm, second order space-time convergence. Finally, we provide 1D and 2D numerical illustrations that confirm the obtained theoretical results and we compare our approach on 1D test cases to other existing local time stepping strategies for wave equations.

Staggered explicit-implicit time-discretisation for elastodynamics with dissipative internal variables

An extension of the two-step staggered time discretization of linear elastodynamics in stress-velocity form to systems involving internal variables subjected to a possibly non-linear dissipative evolution is proposed. The original scheme is thus enhanced by another step for the internal variables which, in general, is implicit, although even this step might be explicit if no spatial gradients of the internal variables are involved. Using an abstract Banach-space formulation, a-priori estimates and convergence are proved under a CFL condition. The developed three-step scheme finds applications in various problems of continuum mechanics at small strain. Here, we consider in particular plasticity, viscoelasticity (creep), diffusion in poroelastic media, and damage.

Nonlinear Evolution Equations with Exponentially Decaying Memory: Existence via Time Discretisation, Uniqueness, and Stability

The initial value problem for an evolution equation of type {v^{\prime}+Av+BKv=f} is studied, where {A:V_{A}\to V_{A}^{\prime}} is a monotone, coercive operator and where {B:V_{B}\to V_{B}^{\prime}} induces an inner product. The Banach space {V_{A}} is not required to be embedded in {V_{B}} or vice versa. The operator K incorporates a Volterra integral operator in time of convolution type with an exponentially decaying kernel. Existence of a global-in-time solution is shown by proving convergence of a suitable time discretisation. Moreover, uniqueness as well as stability results are proved. Appropriate integration-by-parts formulae are a key ingredient for the analysis.

Comparing various influences on adhesive contact with friction

A general computational model covering many types of frictional contact interfaces between visco-elastic bodies is considered for some cases physically relevant in numerical analysis of contact in civil engineering structures. The relations between mechanical quantities and internal parameters of the model are illustrated in a couple of simplified examples including cohesive contact combined with Coulomb friction and/or interface plasticity. The computations are implemented a semi-implicit time discretisation, quadratic programming algorithms, and the boundary-element method.

From Bore–Soliton–Splash to a New Wave-to-Wire Wave-Energy Model

We explore extreme nonlinear water-wave amplification in a contraction or, analogously, wave amplification in crossing seas. The latter case can lead to extreme or rogue-wave formation at sea. First, amplification of a solitary-water-wave compound running into a contraction is disseminated experimentally in a wave tank. Maximum amplification in our bore–soliton–splash observed is circa tenfold. Subsequently, we summarise some nonlinear and numerical modelling approaches, validated for amplifying, contracting waves. These amplification phenomena observed have led us to develop a novel wave-energy device with wave amplification in a contraction used to enhance wave-activated buoy motion and magnetically induced energy generation. An experimental proof-of-principle shows that our wave-energy device works. Most importantly, we develop a novel wave-to-wire mathematical model of the combined wave hydrodynamics, wave-activated buoy motion and electric power generation by magnetic induction, from first principles, satisfying one grand variational principle in its conservative limit. Wave and buoy dynamics are coupled via a Lagrange multiplier, which boundary value at the waterline is in a subtle way solved explicitly by imposing incompressibility in a weak sense. Dissipative features, such as electrical wire resistance and nonlinear LED loads, are added a posteriori. New is also the intricate and compatible finite-element space–time discretisation of the linearised dynamics, guaranteeing numerical stability and the correct energy transfer between the three subsystems. Preliminary simulations of our simplified and linearised wave-energy model are encouraging and involve a first study of the resonant behaviour and parameter dependence of the device.

Convergence analysis of time-discretisation schemes for rate-independent systems

It is well known that rate-independent systems involving nonconvex energy functionals in general do not allow for time-continuous solutions even if the given data are smooth. In the last years, several solution concepts were proposed that include discontinuities in the notion of solution, among them the class of global energetic solutions and the class of BV-solutions. In general, these solution concepts are not equivalent and numerical schemes are needed that reliably approximate that type of solutions one is interested in. In this paper, we analyse the convergence of solutions of three time-discretisation schemes, namely an approach based on local minimisation, a relaxed version of it and an alternate minimisation scheme. For all three cases, we show that under suitable conditions on the discretisation parameters discrete solutions converge to limit functions that belong to the class of BV-solutions. The proofs rely on a reparametrisation argument. We illustrate the different schemes with a toy example.