Cut finite element modeling of linear membranes

Abstract

We construct a cut finite element method for the membrane elasticity problem on an embedded mesh using tangential differential calculus, i.e., with the equilibrium equations pointwise projected onto the tangent plane of the surface to create a pointwise planar problem in the tangential direction. Both free membranes and membranes coupled to 3D elasticity are considered. The discretization of the membrane comes from a Galerkin method using the restriction of 3D basis functions (linear or trilinear) to the surface representing the membrane. In the case of coupling to 3D elasticity, we view the membrane as giving additional stiffness contributions to the standard stiffness matrix resulting from the discretization of the three-dimensional continuum.