An Annotated Reference Guide to the Finite-Element Interface Specification Version 1.0
The Finite-Element Interface (FEI) specification provides a layered abstraction that permits finite-element analysis codes to utilize various linear-algebra solution packages with minimal concern for the internal details of the solver modules. Alternatively, this interface can be viewed as a way for solver developers to provide solution services to finite-element clients without having to embed finite-element abstractions within their solver libraries. The purpose of this document is to provide some level of documentation between the bare interface specification itself, which consists only of C/C++ header files, and the full documentation suite that supports the interface definition by providing considerable detail as to its design and implementation. This document primarily provides the ''how'' of calling the interface member functions, so that programmers can readily learn how to utilize the interface implementation without having to consider all the details contained in the interface's definition, design, and motivation. The interface specification is presented three times in this document, each time with an increasing level of detail. The first presentation provides a general overview of the calling sequence, in order to acquaint the programmer with a basic introduction to how the interface is used to ''train'' the underlying solver software on the particular finite-element problem that is to be solved. The second pass through the interface definition provides considerable detail on each method, including specific considerations as to the structure of the underlying data, and an exposition of potential pitfalls that may occur as a byproduct of either the finite-element modeling process, or of the use of the associated interface implementation. Finally, a third description of the interface is given implicitly via the discussion of sample problems that provide concrete examples of the use of the finite-element interface.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States); Sandia National Lab. (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Department of Energy (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- OSTI ID:
- 8236
- Report Number(s):
- SAND99-8229; TRN: AH200117%%57
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 1 Apr 1999
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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