Least Squares Finite Element Methods For Electromagnetic Applications

This is the first monograph on the subject, providing a comprehensive introduction to the LSFEM method for numerical solution of PDEs. LSFEM is simple, efficient and robust, and can solve a wide range of problems in fluid dynamics and electromagnetics.

The least-squares finite element method (LSFEM) is applied to electromagnetic scattering and radar cross section (RCS) calculations. In contrast to most existing numerical approaches, in which divergence-free constraints are omitted, the LSFF-M directly incorporates two divergence equations in the discretization process. The importance of including the divergence equations is demonstrated by showing that otherwise spurious solutions with large divergence occur near the scatterers. The LSFEM is based on unstructured grids and possesses full flexibility in handling complex geometry and local refinement Moreover, the LSFEM does not require any special handling, such as upwinding, staggered grids, artificial dissipation, flux-differencing, etc. Implicit time discretization is used and the scheme is unconditionally stable. By using a matrix-free iterative method, the computational cost and memory requirement for the present scheme is competitive with other approaches. The accuracy of the LSFEM is verified by several benchmark test problems. Wu, Jie and Jiang, Bo-nan Glenn Research Center NCC3-483; RTOP 505-90-5K...

Since their emergence, finite element methods have taken a place as one of the most versatile and powerful methodologies for the approximate numerical solution of Partial Differential Equations. These methods are used in incompressible fluid flow, heat, transfer, and other problems. This book provides researchers and practitioners with a concise guide to the theory and practice of least-square finite element methods, their strengths and weaknesses, established successes, and open problems.

This series lecture is an introduction to the finite element method with applications in electromagnetics. The finite element method is a numerical method that is used to solve boundary-value problems characterized by a partial differential equation and a set of boundary conditions. The geometrical domain of a boundary-value problem is discretized using sub-domain elements, called the finite elements, and the differential equation is applied to a single element after it is brought to a “weak” integro-differential form. A set of shape functions is used to represent the primary unknown variable in the element domain. A set of linear equations is obtained for each element in the discretized domain. A global matrix system is formed after the assembly of all elements. This lecture is divided into two chapters. Chapter 1 describes one-dimensional boundary-value problems with applications to electrostatic problems described by the Poisson's equation. The accuracy of the finite element method is evaluated for linear and higher order elements by computing the numerical error based on two different definitions. Chapter 2 describes two-dimensional boundary-value problems in the areas of electrostatics and electrodynamics (time-harmonic problems). For the second category, an absorbing boundary condition was imposed at the exterior boundary to simulate undisturbed wave propagation toward infinity. Computations of the numerical error were performed in order to evaluate the accuracy and effectiveness of the method in solving electromagnetic problems. Both chapters are accompanied by a number of Matlab codes which can be used by the reader to solve one- and two-dimensional boundary-value problems. These codes can be downloaded from the publisher's URL: www.morganclaypool.com/page/polycarpou This lecture is written primarily for the nonexpert engineer or the undergraduate or graduate student who wants to learn, for the first time, the finite element method with applications to electromagnetics. It is also targeted for research engineers who have knowledge of other numerical techniques and want to familiarize themselves with the finite element method. The lecture begins with the basics of the method, including formulating a boundary-value problem using a weighted-residual method and the Galerkin approach, and continues with imposing all three types of boundary conditions including absorbing boundary conditions. Another important topic of emphasis is the development of shape functions including those of higher order. In simple words, this series lecture provides the reader with all information necessary for someone to apply successfully the finite element method to one- and two-dimensional boundary-value problems in electromagnetics. It is suitable for newcomers in the field of finite elements in electromagnetics.

Written by specialists of modeling in electromagnetism, this book provides a comprehensive review of the finite element method for low frequency applications. Fundamentals of the method as well as new advances in the field are described in detail. Chapters 1 to 4 present general 2D and 3D static and dynamic formulations by the use of scalar and vector unknowns and adapted interpolations for the fields (nodal, edge, face or volume). Chapter 5 is dedicated to the presentation of different macroscopic behavior laws of materials and their implementation in a finite element context: anisotropy and hysteretic properties for magnetic sheets, iron losses, non-linear permanent magnets and superconductors. More specific formulations are then proposed: the modeling of thin regions when finite elements become misfit (Chapter 6), infinite domains by using geometrical transformations (Chapter 7), the coupling of 2D and 3D formulations with circuit equations (Chapter 8), taking into account the movement, particularly in the presence of Eddy currents (Chapter 9) and an original approach for the treatment of geometrical symmetries when the sources are not symmetric (Chapter 10). Chapters 11 to 13 are devoted to coupled problems: magneto-thermal coupling for induction heating, magneto-mechanical coupling by introducing the notion of strong and weak coupling and magneto-hydrodynamical coupling focusing on electromagnetic instabilities in fluid conductors. Chapter 14 presents different meshing methods in the context of electromagnetism (presence of air) and introduces self-adaptive mesh refinement procedures. Optimization techniques are then covered in Chapter 15, with the adaptation of deterministic and probabilistic methods to the numerical finite element environment. Chapter 16 presents a variational approach of electromagnetism, showing how Maxwell equations are derived from thermodynamic principles.

A new edition of the leading textbook on the finite element method, incorporating major advancements and further applications in the field of electromagnetics The finite element method (FEM) is a powerful simulation technique used to solve boundary-value problems in a variety of engineering circumstances. It has been widely used for analysis of electromagnetic fields in antennas, radar scattering, RF and microwave engineering, high-speed/high-frequency circuits, wireless communication, electromagnetic compatibility, photonics, remote sensing, biomedical engineering, and space exploration. The Finite Element Method in Electromagnetics, Third Edition explains the method’s processes and techniques in careful, meticulous prose and covers not only essential finite element method theory, but also its latest developments and applications—giving engineers a methodical way to quickly master this very powerful numerical technique for solving practical, often complicated, electromagnetic problems. Featuring over thirty percent new material, the third edition of this essential and comprehensive text now includes: A wider range of applications, including antennas, phased arrays, electric machines, high-frequency circuits, and crystal photonics The finite element analysis of wave propagation, scattering, and radiation in periodic structures The time-domain finite element method for analysis of wideband antennas and transient electromagnetic phenomena Novel domain decomposition techniques for parallel computation and efficient simulation of large-scale problems, such as phased-array antennas and photonic crystals Along with a great many examples, The Finite Element Method in Electromagnetics is an ideal book for engineering students as well as for professionals in the field.