Enforcing the Discrete Maximum Principle for Linear Finite Element Solutions of Second-Order Elliptic Problems

The maximum principle is a basic qualitative property of the solution of second-order elliptic boundary value problems.The preservation of the qualitative characteristics,such as the maximum principle,in discrete model is one of the key requirements.It is well known that standard linear finite element solution does not satisfy maximum principle on general triangular meshes in 2D.In this paper we consider how to enforce discrete maximum principle for linear finite element solutions for the linear second-order self-adjoint elliptic equation.First approach is based on repair technique,which is a posteriori correction of the discrete solution.Second method is based on constrained optimization.Numerical tests that include anisotropic cases demonstrate how our method works for problems for which the standard finite element methods produce numerical solutions that violate the discrete maximum principle.

THE ANALYTICAL SOLUTIONS BASED ON THE CONCEPT OF FINITE ELEMENT METHODS

On the basis of the concept of finite element methods, the rigorous analytical solutions of structural response in terms of the design variables are researched in this paper. The spatial trusses are taken as an example for the solution of the analytical expressions of the explicit displacements which are proved mathematically; then some conclusions are reached that are useful to structural sensitivity analysis and optimization. In the third part of the paper, a generalized geometric programming method is sugguested for the optimal model with the explicit displacement. Finally, the analytical solutions of the displacements of three trusses are given as examples.

A multiscale 3D finite element analysis of fluid/solute transport in mechanically loaded bone

The transport of fluid, nutrients, and signaling molecules in the bone lacunar-canalicular system （LCS） is critical for osteocyte survival and function. We have applied the fluorescence recovery after photobleaching （FRAP） approach to quantify load-induced fluid and solute transport in the LCS in situ, but the measurements were limited to cortical regions 30-50 μm underneath the periosteum due to the constrains of laser penetration. With this work, we aimed to expand our understanding of load-induced fluid and solute transport in both trabecular and cortical bone using a multiscaled image-based finite element analysis （FEA） approach. An intact murine tibia was first re-constructed from microCT images into a three-dimensional （3D） linear elastic FEA model, and the matrix deformations at various locations were calculated under axial loading. A segment of the above 3D model was then imported to the biphasic poroelasticity analysis platform （FEBio） to predict load-induced fluid pressure fields, and interstitial solute/fluid flows through LCS in both cortical and trabecular regions. Further, secondary flow effects such as the shear stress and/or drag force acting on osteocytes, the presumed mechano-sensors in bone, were derived using the previously developed ultrastructural model of Brinkman flow in the canaliculi. The material properties assumed in the FEA models were validated against previously obtained strain and FRAP transport data measured on the cortical cortex. Our results demonstrated the feasibility of this computational approach in estimating the fluid flux in the LCS and the cellular stimulation forces （shear and drag forces） for osteocytes in any cortical and trabecular bone locations, allowing further studies of how the activation of osteocytes correlates with in vivo functional bone formation. The study provides a promising platform to reveal potential cellular mechanisms underlying the anabolic power of exercises and physical activities in treating patients with skeletal deficiencies.

Finite Element Harmonic Solution of the Coupled Rotor-bearing System

Fluid-solid interaction problems have been studied q uite extensively in the past years. Rotor-bearing system is a typical example. Fluid field is changed under the exciting of rotor vibration. On the same ti me, a net force caused by fluid pressure exerts on rotor, which will change roto r vibration. So, the fluid-solid coupled analysis method must be used. Traditionally, numerical difference method was used to solve fluid problems. The coupled fluid-solid equation could not be set up based on the method. It is no t until finite element method was used in fluid dynamics area then can the coupl ed dynamics be researched. Recently many experimental, analytical and numerical studies have been used in the area . But in these investigations, it is a ssumed that the solid vibration could not be influenced by fluid. In the other w ords, the force exerted on solid from fluid was neglected in the papers. So, the models built were some kinds of semi-coupled model only. In this paper, the Galerkin finite-element method, two-dimension vibration equ ation of rigid body and Navier-Stokes equations are used to build a full-coupl ed fluid-solid model in rotor-bearing system. Some assumptions are taken: 1) In fluid equation, the nonlinear terms are relatively small and neglected. 2) The gravity takes no effect on this system. 3) The bearing and the rotor are long. Flow and leakage along the axis is neglec ted. 4) The fluid is a kind of Newtonian incondensable viscous fluid. 5) The rotor is considered to be a rigid body. Using the model established, we calculated all the examples given by paper , results show the error are less than 7%. So the full-coupled model is built c orrectly. Examples are given in the end of the paper. After analyzing the examples, we get some conclusions: 1) In rotor-bearing system, while being taken under two conditions that whether coupled method is taken or not, difference of pressure and vibration amplitude could reach 76% and 120%. Therefore coupled method must be taken to investigate fluid-solid system. 1) Amplitude of fluid pressure can be more or less influenced by rotor unbalance , gap, eccentricity and other factors. 2) By using coupling method, results show that the amplitudes of vibration and p ressure are greater than ignoring the method. It should be paid more attention t o.

TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL DISCRETIZATION ON QUASI-3-D GROUNDWATER FINITE ELEMENT MODELLING TO AVOID SPURIOUS OSCILLATION

In this article, the fmite element solution of quasi-three-dimensional （quasi-3-D） groundwater flow was mathematically analyzed. The research shows that the spurious oscillation solution to the Finite Element Model （FEM） is the results choosing the small time step △t or the large element size L and using the non-diagonal storage matrix. The mechanism for this phenomenon is explained by the negative weighting factor of implicit part in the discretized equations. To avoid spurious oscillation solution, the criteria on the selection of △t and L for quasi-3-D groundwater flow simulations were identified. An application example of quasi-3-D groundwater flow simulation was presented to verify the criteria. The results indicate that temporal discretization scale has significant impact on the spurious oscillations in the finite-element solutions, and the spurious oscillations can be avoided in solving practical quasi-3-D groundwater flow problems if the criteria are satisfied.