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Fix, G. J.

Publications and source records attributed to Fix, G. J..

Least squares finite element simulation of transonic flows

Finite difference approximation of transonic flow problems is a well-developed and largely successful approach. Nevertheless, there is still a real need to develop finite element methods for applications arising from fluid-structure interactions and problems with complicated boundaries. In this paper a least squares based finite element scheme is introduced. It is shown that, if suitably formulated, such an approach can lead to physically meaningful results. Bottlenecks that arise from such schemes are also discussed.

Chen, T. F.↗

On the accuracy of least squares methods in the presence of corner singularities

Elliptic problems with corner singularities are discussed. Finite element approximations based on variational principles of the least squares type tend to display poor convergence properties in such contexts. Moreover, mesh refinement or the use of special singular elements do not appreciably improve matters. It is shown that if the least squares formulation is done in appropriately weighted space, then optimal convergence results in unweighted spaces like L(2).

Cox, C. L.↗

A least squares finite element scheme for transonic flow around harmonically oscillating airfoils

The present investigation shows that a finite element scheme with a weighted least squares variational principle is applicable to the problem of transonic flow around a harmonically oscillating airfoil. For the flat plate case, numerical results compare favorably with the exact solution. The obtained numerical results for the transonic problem, for which an exact solution is not known, have the characteristics of known experimental results. It is demonstrated that the performance of the employed numerical method is independent of equation type (elliptic or hyperbolic) and frequency. The weighted least squares principle allows the appropriate modeling of singularities, which such a modeling of singularities is not possible with normal least squares.

Cox, C. L.↗

Finite element analysis of periodic transonic flow problems

Flow about an oscillating thin airfoil in a transonic stream was considered. It was assumed that the flow field can be decomposed into a mean flow plus a periodic perturbation. On the surface of the airfoil the usual Neumman conditions are imposed. Two computer programs were written, both using linear basis functions over triangles for the finite element space. The first program uses a banded Gaussian elimination solver to solve the matrix problem, while the second uses an iterative technique, namely SOR. The only results obtained are for an oscillating flat plate.

Fix, G. J.↗

On least squares approximations to indefinite problems of the mixed type

A least squares method is presented for computing approximate solutions of indefinite partial differential equations of the mixed type such as those that arise in connection with transonic flutter analysis. The method retains the advantages of finite difference schemes namely simplicity and sparsity of the resulting matrix system. However, it offers some great advantages over finite difference schemes. First, the method is insensitive to the value of the forcing frequency, i.e., the resulting matrix system is always symmetric and positive definite. As a result, iterative methods may be successfully employed to solve the matrix system, thus taking full advantage of the sparsity. Furthermore, the method is insensitive to the type of the partial differential equation, i.e., the computational algorithm is the same in elliptic and hyperbolic regions. In this work the method is formulated and numerical results for model problems are presented. Some theoretical aspects of least squares approximations are also discussed.

Fix, G. J.↗