Analysis of nonlinear problems using the Dual Mesh Control Domain Method with arbitrary meshes

Abstract

The Dual Mesh Control Domain Method (DMCDM), proposed and developed by the second author, is a recent advancement in the field of numerical methods. This method represents a blend of the Finite Element Method (FEM) and the Finite Volume Method (FVM), each having its primary domains of popularity. The DMCDM incorporates the concepts of interpolation, duality, and numerical integration from the former and the idea of satisfying the integral (global) form of the differential (or balance) equations from the latter. In this paper, we present a fresh and systematic approach to solving two-dimensional nonlinear problems, including advection–diffusion problems, with arbitrary primal meshes. We develop an approach where element-level equations are derived and assembled in a manner similar to that of the FEM, as opposed to using nodal equations, as has been the convention in all of the previous works involving the DMCDM. Additionally, we extend the previous works to include higher-order interpolation, specifically quadratic interpolation. In short, we provide formulations for four-node bilinear and nine-node biquadratic elements of quadrilateral shape, enabling the application of the DMCDM to arbitrary primal and dual meshes. Finally, we explore the Newton iteration method for linearizing the nonlinear system of equations that arises from the DMCDM discretization. We present numerical results and comparisons against available exact and numerical solutions to verify the accuracy and robustness of the DMCDM.