Application of the Galerkin and Least-Squares Finite Element Methods in the solution of 3D Poisson and Helmholtz equations

Abstract

This paper presents the numerical solution, by the Galerkin and Least Squares Finite Element Methods, of the three-dimensional Poisson and Helmholtz equations, representing heat diffusion in solids. For the two applications proposed, the analytical solutions found in the literature review were used to compare with the numerical solutions. The analysis of results was made from the L 2 norm (average error throughout the domain) and L ∞ norm (maximum error in the entire domain). The results of the two applications (Poisson and Helmholtz equations) are presented and discussed for testing of the efficiency of the methods.