An iterative solver for \(p\)-version finite elements in three dimensions (Q1892458)

The author proposes an additive Schwarz preconditioner for \(p\)-version finite element (f.e.) stiffness matrices \(A\) approximating linear elasticity problems in 3D. The additive Schwarz preconditioner \(C\) is constructed from the decomposition of the f.e. space \(V = V_ 0 + V_ 1 + \dots V_ m\) into \((m+1)\) subspaces, where the subspace \(V_ 0\) is spanned by all linear basis functions, one subspace \(V_ i\) is spanned by all interior basis functions (if any), and the other subspaces \(V_ j\) belong to the faces, edges and vertices of the elements and are built by a special technique of partial orthogonalization each to another \((m = \)1 + 1 + \#Faces + \#Edges + \#Vertices taking into account the boundary conditions). The author shows that the spectral condition number \(\chi(C^{-1} A)\) of the preconditioned matrix \(C^{-1} A\) can be estimated by a constant \(c = c(p\), elasticity constants, domain, triangulation). In particular, \(\chi(C^{-1} A)\) is independent of the number of elements. The author presents numerical results obtained from real 3D elasticity problems in aeroplane computations. The results show the excellent performance of the corresponding iterative solver in comparison with direct solvers.