An operator-customized wavelet-finite element approach for the adaptive solution of second-order partial differential equations on unstructured meshes
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60654119-MIT.pdf
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Author(s)
D'Heedene, Stefan F., 1977-
Advisor(s)
Kevin Amaratunga.
Date Issued
2005
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
The Finite Element Method (FEM) is a widely popular method for the numerical solution of Partial Differential Equations (PDE), on multi-dimensional unstructured meshes. Lagrangian finite elements, which preserve C⁰ continuity with interpolating piecewise-polynomial shape functions, are a common choice for second-order PDEs. Conventional single-scale methods often have difficulty in efficiently capturing fine-scale behavior (e.g. singularities or transients), without resorting to a prohibitively large number of variables. This can be done more effectively with a multi-scale method, such as the Hierarchical Basis (HB) method. However, the HB FEM generally yields a multi-resolution stiffness matrix that is coupled across scales. We propose a powerful generalization of the Hierarchical Basis: a second-generation wavelet basis, spanning a Lagrangian finite element space of any given polynomial order.
Description
Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2005.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 139-142).Unlike first-generation wavelets, second-generation wavelets can be constructed on any multi-dimensional unstructured mesh. Instead of limiting ourselves to the choice of primitive wavelets, effectively HB detail functions, we can tailor the wavelets to gain additional qualities. In particular, we propose to customize our wavelets to the problem's operator. For any given linear elliptic second-order PDE, and within a Lagrangian FE space of any given order, we can construct a basis of compactly supported wavelets that are orthogonal to the coarser basis functions with respect to the weak form of the PDE. We expose the connection between the wavelet's vanishing moment properties and the requirements for operator-orthogonality in multiple dimensions. We give examples in which we successfully eliminate all scale-coupling in the problem's multi-resolution stiffness matrix. Consequently, details can be added locally to a coarser solution without having to re-compute the coarser solution.
Subjects
Civil and Environmental Engineering.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
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