IsoGeometric Suitable Coupling Methods for Partitioned Multiphysics Simulation with Application to Fluid-Structure Interaction

Abstract

This paper presents spline-based coupling methods for partitioned multiphysics simulations, specifically designed for isogeometric analysis (IGA) based solvers. Traditional vertex-based coupling approaches face significant challenges when applied to IGA solvers, including geometric accuracy issues, interpolation errors, and substantial communication overhead. The methodology draws on the IGA mathematical framework to deliver coupling solutions that preserve high-order continuity and exact geometric representation of splines. We develop two complementary strategies: (1) a spline-vertex coupling method enabling efficient interaction between IGA and conventional solvers, and (2) a fully isogeometric coupling approach maximizing accuracy for IGA-to-IGA communication. Both theoretical analysis and extensive numerical experiments demonstrate that our spline-based methods significantly reduce communication overhead compared to traditional approaches while enhancing geometric accuracy through exact boundary representation and maintaining higher-order solution continuity across coupled interfaces. We quantitatively confirm communication efficiency benefits through systematic measurements of transfer times and data volumes across various mesh refinement levels. Our benchmark studies demonstrate geometric fidelity advantages while highlighting how splines naturally preserve solution derivatives across interfaces without requiring additional computation. This work provides efficient coupling strategies tailored to IGA-based solvers and establishes a practical bridge between IGA and traditional discretization methods, enabling broader adoption of IGA in established simulation workflows.