An algorithm for adaptive mesh refinement inn dimensions (original) (raw)

Abstract

The author describes a fast algorithm for local adaptive mesh refinement in_n_ dimensions based on simplex bisection. A ready-to-use implementation of the algorithm in C++ pseudocode is given. It is proven that the scheme satisfies all conditions one usually places on grid refinement in the context of finite-element calculations. Bisection refinement also offers an interesting additional feature over the usual, regular, refinement scheme: all linear finite-element basis functions of one generation are of disjoint support. In the way the scheme is presented here, all generated simplex meshes satisfy a ‘structural condition’ which is exploited to simplify bookkeeping of the neighbour graph. However, bisection refinement places certain restrictions on the initial, coarsest grid. For a simply connected domain, a precise and useful criterion for the applicability of the described refinement scheme is formulated and proven.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Theoretische Physik, Universität Gießen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 16, D-35392, Gießen, Federal Republic of Germany
    C. T. Traxler

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Traxler, C.T. An algorithm for adaptive mesh refinement in_n_ dimensions.Computing 59, 115–137 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02684475

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