Efficient Hybrid Finite Element Method for Solving Multiscale Elliptic Problems with High-Contrast Coefficients

Core Concepts

A hybrid finite element method is proposed that can efficiently solve elliptic problems with heterogeneous and high-contrast coefficients. The method decomposes the solution space into coarse and fine components, and employs a localized spectral decomposition to handle high-contrast coefficients, leading to an accurate and robust numerical scheme.

Abstract

The paper presents a hybrid finite element method for solving elliptic equations with heterogeneous and high-contrast coefficients. The key aspects are: Primal hybrid formulation: The problem is recast in a weak formulation that depends on a polyhedral mesh, introducing hybrid variables on the element faces. Space decomposition: The solution space is decomposed into coarse (piecewise constant) and fine components, leading to a system of coupled elliptic problems. Localized Spectral Decomposition (LSD): To handle high-contrast coefficients, a spectral decomposition of the fine space is performed locally on the element faces. This introduces "slow-decaying modes" that are treated separately, enabling exponential decay of the multiscale basis functions. Efficient implementation: The method is designed to be computationally efficient, with only local computations required in the pre-processing step. The final system is of size independent of the coefficients. Theoretical analysis: The well-posedness of the discrete problem is established, and a priori error estimates are derived that mitigate the effect of high-contrast coefficients. The proposed LSD method is dimensional independent and can be extended to other elliptic problems like elasticity. The key is the use of local eigenvalue problems to enrich the solution space, which makes the method robust with respect to high-contrast coefficients.

Stats

amin|v|^2 ≤ a-(x)|v|^2 ≤ A(x)v·v ≤ a+(x)|v|^2 ≤ amax|v|^2 for all v ∈ R^d |u - u_h|_H1_A(T_H) ≤ H ‖g‖_L2(Ω)

Quotes

"To make the method robust with respect to high-contrast coefficients, we enrich the space solution via local eigenvalue problems, obtaining optimal a priori error estimate that mitigates the effect of having coefficients with different magnitudes." "The technique developed is dimensional independent and easy to extend to other elliptic problems such as elasticity."

Key Insights Distilled From

Hybrid Localized Spectral Decomposition for multiscale problems

by Alexandre L.... at arxiv.org 04-29-2024

https://arxiv.org/pdf/1706.08941.pdf

Deeper Inquiries

How can the proposed LSD method be extended to other types of partial differential equations beyond elliptic problems

The proposed LSD method can be extended to other types of partial differential equations beyond elliptic problems by adapting the concept of localized spectral decomposition to suit the specific characteristics of the new equations. For example, for parabolic or hyperbolic equations, the time-dependent nature of the problem would need to be incorporated into the decomposition of the solution space. This could involve considering localized eigenvalue problems not only in space but also in time, leading to a spatio-temporal decomposition approach. Additionally, for systems of equations or nonlinear problems, the method may need to be modified to handle the additional complexities introduced by these scenarios. By carefully analyzing the underlying structure and properties of the new equations, the LSD method can be tailored to provide efficient and accurate solutions for a wider range of partial differential equations.

What are the limitations of the exponential decay assumption for the multiscale basis functions, and how can the method be further improved to handle more general coefficient fields

The limitations of the exponential decay assumption for the multiscale basis functions primarily arise when dealing with coefficient fields that exhibit highly oscillatory behavior or lack regularity. In such cases, the decay rate of the basis functions may not be sufficient to accurately capture the variations in the coefficients, leading to reduced effectiveness of the method. To address this limitation and improve the method's performance, several strategies can be employed. One approach is to refine the decomposition of the solution space further, incorporating more localized basis functions to adapt to the rapid changes in the coefficients. Additionally, considering adaptive strategies that adjust the basis functions based on the local behavior of the coefficients can enhance the method's robustness. Furthermore, exploring alternative basis functions or numerical techniques that are better suited for handling irregular coefficient fields can also help overcome the limitations of the exponential decay assumption and improve the method's applicability to a broader range of coefficient distributions.

Can the local eigenvalue problems be solved in parallel to further improve the computational efficiency of the method

Yes, the local eigenvalue problems can be solved in parallel to enhance the computational efficiency of the LSD method. By leveraging parallel computing techniques, such as distributed computing or GPU acceleration, the solution of the eigenvalue problems can be distributed across multiple processing units, reducing the overall computational time. This parallelization can be particularly beneficial when dealing with large-scale problems or when solving multiple eigenvalue problems simultaneously. Implementing parallel algorithms for solving the local eigenvalue problems can significantly speed up the pre-processing step of the LSD method, making it more scalable and suitable for high-performance computing environments.