Advanced FEM

2
Decomposition of
Poisson Problems

AFEM Ch 2 – Slide 1
 Advanced FEM

Tonti Decomposition

What it is:

Graphical representation of Strong Form (SF) using

two auxiliary variables
intermediate variable
flux variable
in addition to the primary variable

Advantages:

Visualization of WF and VF derivations

Clarification of BCs

AFEM Ch 2 – Slide 2
 Advanced FEM

The Poisson's Equation

General form for an isotropic medium

∇ · (k∇u) = s

If k is constant (homogeneous medium)

k∇ 2 u = s

If source s = 0, reduces to Laplace's equation

∇ 2u = 0

AFEM Ch 2 – Slide 3
 Advanced FEM

The Poisson's Equation (Cont'd)

Written in full (in 1D, 2D, 3D):  

∂ ∂u
k =s
∂ x1 ∂ x1
   
∂ ∂u ∂ ∂u
k + k =s
∂ x1 ∂ x1 ∂ x2 ∂ x2
     
∂ ∂u ∂ ∂u ∂ ∂u
k + k + k =s
∂ x1 ∂ x1 ∂ x2 ∂ x2 ∂ x3 ∂ x3

For uniform k:
   
∂ 2u ∂ 2u ∂ 2u ∂ 2u ∂ 2u ∂ 2u
k 2 = s, k + 2 = s, k + 2 + 2 =s
∂ x1 ∂ x12 ∂ x2 ∂ x12 ∂ x2 ∂ x3

AFEM Ch 2 – Slide 4
 Advanced FEM
Poisson's Equation Models Many
Inportant Steady-State Problems
in Engineering & Physics

Linear (Fourier Law) Heat Conduction (Notes, S2.3)

Potential Flow (Notes, S2.4)
Electrostatics (Notes, S2.5)
Magnetostatics (Notes, S2.6, vector form of eq)
Bar & Cables (Exercise 2.2, 1D form)
St. Venant's Torsion (Exercise 2.4, 2D form)
Laterally loaded membranes (2D form)
Flow in Porous Media

AFEM Ch 2 – Slide 5
 Advanced FEM

The Heat Conduction Problem

n
x3 Sq : q^n = q

x1 x2 Volume V

^ Heat source production in V :

ST : T = T
h specified per unit of volume

AFEM Ch 2 – Slide 6
 Advanced FEM
Heat Conduction: Field Equations
Kinematic equation (KE): defines temperature gradient
   
g1 ∂ T /∂ x1
 g2  =  ∂ T /∂ x2 
g3 ∂ T /∂ x3

Constitutive equation (CE): Fourier's law of heat conduction

   
q1 g1
 q2  = −k  g2 
q3 g3

Balance equation (BE): heat flux equilibrium

∂q1 ∂q2 ∂q2

+ + +h =0
∂ x1 ∂ x2 ∂ x3

AFEM Ch 2 – Slide 7
 Advanced FEM

Heat Conduction: Boundary Conditions

Primary Boundary Condition (PBC): specified boundary temperature

T = T̂ on ST

Flux Boundary Condition (FBC): specified boundary heat flux

q1 n 1 + q2 n 2 + q3 n 3 = q̂n on Sq

These are the classical BCs for Heat Conduction. Radiation and
Convection BCs (which are generally nonlinear) are not considered here

AFEM Ch 2 – Slide 8
 Advanced FEM
Heat Conduction: Summary
of Governing Equations

KE: grad T = g in V,
CE: − kg = q in V,
grad/div
BE: div q + h = 0 in V,
notation
PBC: T = T̂ on ST ,
FBC: q.n = qn = q̂n , on Sq .

KE: T,i = gi in V,
indicial CE: − kgi = qi in V,
(component) BE: qi,i + h = 0 in V,
notation PBC: T = T̂ on ST ,
FBC: qi n i = qn = q̂n , on Sq .

AFEM Ch 2 – Slide 9
 Advanced FEM

The Tonti Diagram for the Field

Equations of Heat Conduction

T h

g = grad T in V div q + h = 0 in V

g q
q = − k g in V

AFEM Ch 2 – Slide 10
 Advanced FEM

The Extended Tonti Diagram for the

Governing Equations of Heat Conduction

^
T^ T=T T h
on S T

g = grad T in V div q + h = 0 in V

q = − k g in V q n = q.n = q^
g q q^
on Sq

Unknown field Data field Strong connection

AFEM Ch 2 – Slide 11
 Advanced FEM

The Components of the Extended

Tonti Diagram for a Strong Form

Primary
boundary
Specified conditions
primary Primary Source
variable variable FIELD function
EQUATIONS

Kinematic Balance or
equations equilibrium
equations
Flux
Constitutive boundary
Interme- equations Flux Specified
conditions flux
diate variable
variable variable

AFEM Ch 2 – Slide 12