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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Advection-dominated flows, with emphasis on the consequences of mass lumping. [Galerkin finite-element method]

Conference ·
OSTI ID:7361309

By obtaining the approximate solution to the advection-diffusion equation in both one- and two-dimensions, for both purely advective (hyperbolic) and advection-dominated flows, and by comparison to finite difference results, one demonstrates, contrary to the admonition put forth by Strang and Fix (1973), that the Galerkin finite element method can produce highly accurate results provided that the consistent mass formulation is used. The reasons for the superiority of these results to those using mass lumping are presented. Finally, it is shown that a recommended mass lumping procedure for parabolic isoparametric elements generates completely spurious results for advection-diffusion.

Research Organization:
California Univ., Livermore (USA). Lawrence Livermore Lab.
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48
OSTI ID:
7361309
Report Number(s):
UCRL-77026; CONF-760607-2
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English