arXiv subjects

Susanne Claus

Publications and source records attributed to Susanne Claus.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

A predictor-corrector scheme for approximating signed distances using finite element methods

In this article, we introduce a finite element method designed for the robust computation of approximate signed distance functions to arbitrary boundaries in two and three dimensions. Our method employs a novel prediction-correction approach, involving first the solution of a linear diffusion-based prediction problem, followed by a nonlinear minimization-based correction problem associated with the Eikonal equation. The prediction step efficiently generates a suitable initial guess, significantly facilitating convergence of the nonlinear correction step. A key strength of our approach is its ability to handle complex interfaces and initial level set functions with arbitrary steep or flat regions, a notable challenge for existing techniques. Through several representative examples, including classical geometries and more complex shapes such as star domains and three-dimensional tori, we demonstrate the accuracy, efficiency, and robustness of the method, validating its broad applicability for reinitializing diverse level set functions.

cs.CE↗

arXiv2023

Local uncovering of unresolved physics in structural mechanics: seamless choice of modelling resolution using a CutFEM level-set approach

In this paper, we present a robust and efficient unfitted concurrent multiscale method for continuum-continuum coupling, based on the Cut Finite Element Method (CutFEM). The computational domain is defined using approximate signed distance functions over a fixed background mesh and is decomposed into microscale and macroscale regions using a novel zooming technique. The zoom interface is represented by a signed distance function intersecting the computational mesh arbitrarily. The mesh inside the zoomed region is hierarchically refined to resolve the microstructure. In the examples considered, the microstructure may contain voids and hard inclusions, and its geometry is defined implicitly by a signed distance function interpolated over the refined mesh. Our zooming technique allows the zoom interface to intersect the microstructure interface in an arbitrary fashion, enabling greater flexibility and accuracy in the modelling of complex geometries. The micro and macro regions are coupled using Nitsche's method, ensuring stability and accuracy in the solution. Ghost penalty terms are utilised to ensure the stability of cut elements along the zoom interface and the microstructure interface. To demonstrate the effectiveness of our framework, we apply it for modelling several heterogeneous structures with both linear elasticity and plasticity constitutive behaviours. The results show that our framework is robust and efficient, producing accurate and reliable solutions for such problems. Our proposed method provides a highly versatile and effective approach to multiscale modeling of structures with complex microstructures, and has the potential to be extended to problems requiring seamless moving of zooming region(s) during the simulation, such as damage growth and fracture propagation.

cs.CE↗

arXiv2022

Concurrent multiscale analysis without meshing: Microscale representation with CutFEM and micro/macro model blending

In this paper, we develop a novel unfitted multiscale framework that combines two separate scales represented by only one single computational mesh. Our framework relies on a mixed zooming technique where we zoom at regions of interest to capture microscale properties and then mix the micro and macroscale properties in a transition region. Furthermore, we use homogenization techniques to derive macro model material properties. The microscale features are discretized using CutFEM. The transition region between the micro and macroscale is represented by a smooth blending function. To address the issues with ill-conditioning of the multiscale system matrix due to the arbitrary intersections in cut elements and the transition region, we add stabilization terms acting on the jumps of the normal gradient (ghost-penalty stabilization). We show that our multiscale framework is stable and is capable to reproduce mechanical responses for heterogeneous structures in a mesh-independent manner. The efficiency of our methodology is exemplified by 2D and 3D numerical simulations of linear elasticity problems.

cs.CE↗

arXiv2018

A CutFEM method for two-phase flow problems

In this article, we present a cut finite element method for two-phase Navier-Stokes flows. The main feature of the method is the formulation of a unified continuous interior penalty stabilisation approach for, on the one hand, stabilising advection and the pressure-velocity coupling and, on the other hand, stabilising the cut region. The accuracy of the algorithm is enhanced by the development of extended fictitious domains to guarantee a well defined velocity from previous time steps in the current geometry. Finally, the robustness of the moving-interface algorithm is further improved by the introduction of a curvature smoothing technique that reduces spurious velocities. The algorithm is shown to perform remarkably well for low capillary number flows, and is a first step towards flexible and robust CutFEM algorithms for the simulation of microfluidic devices.

math.NA↗

arXiv2018

A CutFEM method for Stefan-Signorini problems with application in pulsed laser ablation

In this article, we develop a cut finite element method for one-phase Stefan problems, with applications in laser manufacturing. The geometry of the workpiece is represented implicitly via a level set function. Material above the melting/vaporisation temperature is represented by a fictitious gas phase. The moving interface between the workpiece and the fictitious gas phase may cut arbitrarily through the elements of the finite element mesh, which remains fixed throughout the simulation, thereby circumventing the need for cumbersome re-meshing operations. The primal/dual formulation of the linear one-phase Stefan problem is recast into a primal non-linear formulation using a Nitsche-type approach, which avoids the difficulty of constructing inf-sup stable primal/dual pairs. Through the careful derivation of stabilisation terms, we show that the proposed Stefan-Signorini-Nitsche CutFEM method remains stable independently of the cut location. In addition, we obtain optimal convergence with respect to space and time refinement. Several 2D and 3D examples are proposed, highlighting the robustness and flexibility of the algorithm, together with its relevance to the field of micro-manufacturing.

math.NA↗

arXiv2017

A stable and optimally convergent LaTIn-Cut Finite Element Method for multiple unilateral contact problems

In this paper, we propose a novel unfitted finite element method for the simulation of multiple body contact. The computational mesh is generated independently of the geometry of the interacting solids, which can be arbitrarily complex. The key novelty of the approach is the combination of elements of the CutFEM technology, namely the enrichment of the solution field via the definition of overlapping fictitious domains with a dedicated penalty-type regularisation of discrete operators, and the LaTIn hybrid-mixed formulation of complex interface conditions. Furthermore, the novel P1-P1 discretisation scheme that we propose for the unfitted LaTIn solver is shown to be stable, robust and optimally convergent with mesh refinement. Finally, the paper introduces a high-performance 3D level-set/CutFEM framework for the versatile and robust solution of contact problems involving multiple bodies of complex geometries, with more than two bodies interacting at a single point.

math.NA↗

arXiv2016

Fictitious domain method with boundary value correction using penalty-free Nitsche method

In this paper, we consider a fictitious domain approach based on a Nitsche type method without penalty. To allow for high order approximation using piecewise affine approximation of the geometry we use a boundary value correction technique based on Taylor expansion from the approximate to the physical boundary. To ensure stability of the method a ghost penalty stabilization is considered in the boundary zone. We prove optimal error estimates in the $H^1$-norm and estimates suboptimal by $\mathcal{O}(h^{\frac12})$ in the $L^2$-norm. The suboptimality is due to the lack of adjoint consistency of our formulation. Numerical results are provided to corroborate the theoretical study.

math.NA↗

arXiv2014

A Stabilized Cut Finite Element Method for the Three Field Stokes Problem

We propose a Nitsche-based fictitious domain method for the three field Stokes problem in which the boundary of the domain is allowed to cross through the elements of a fixed background mesh. The dependent variables of velocity, pressure and extra-stress tensor are discretised on the background mesh using linear finite elements. This equal order approximation is stabilized using a continuous interior penalty (CIP) method. On the unfitted domain boundary, Dirichlet boundary conditions are weakly enforced using Nitsche's method. We add CIP-like ghost penalties in the boundary region and prove that our scheme is inf-sup stable and that it has optimal convergence properties independent of how the domain boundary intersects the mesh. Additionally, we demonstrate that the condition number of the system matrix is bounded independently of the boundary location. We corroborate our theoretical findings with numerical examples.

math.NA↗

arXiv2014

Spectral/hp element methods for plane Newtonian extrudate swell

Spectral/hp element methods and an arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) moving-boundary technique are used to investigate planar Newtonian extrudate swell. Newtonian extrudate swell arises when viscous liquids exit long die slits. The problem is characterised by a stress singularity at the end of the slit which is inherently difficult to capture and strongly influences the predicted swelling of the fluid. The impact of inertia (0 <Re < 100) and slip along the die wall on the free surface profile and the velocity and pressure values in the domain and around the singularity are investigated. The high order method is shown to provide high resolution of the steep pressure profile at the singularity. The swelling ratio and exit pressure loss are compared with existing results in the literature and the ability of high-order methods to capture these values using significantly fewer degrees of freedom is demonstrated.

math.NA↗

arXiv2013

Nitsche's method method for mixed dimensional analysis: conforming and non-conforming continuum-beam and continuum-plate coupling

A Nitche's method is presented to couple different mechanical models. They include coupling of a solid and a beam and of a solid and a plate. Both conforming and non-conforming formulations are presented. In a non-conforming for- mulation, the structure domain is overlapped by a refined solid model. Applications can be found in multi-dimensional analyses in which parts of a structure are modeled with solid elements and others are modeled using a coarser model with beam and/or plate elements. Discretisations are performed using both standard Lagrange elements and high order NURBS (Non Uniform Rational Bsplines) based isogeometric elements. We present various examples to demonstrate the performance of the method.

math.NA↗