International Journal of Mathematics and Mathematical Sciences
Volume 9 (1986), Issue 3, Pages 577-582
doi:10.1155/S0161171286000728
Simulation of continuously deforming parabolic problems by Galerkin finite-elements method
Department of Computer Science, Jordan University, Amman, Jordan
Received 6 August 1985
Copyright © 1986 Yahia S. Halabi. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Abstract
A general numerical finite element scheme is described for parabolic problems with phase change wherein the elements of the domain are allowed to deform continuously. The scheme is based on the Galerkin approximation in space, and finite difference approximation for the time derivatives. The numerical scheme is applied to the two-phase Stefan problems associated with the melting and solidification of a substance. Basic functions based on Hermite polynomials are used to allow exact specification of flux-latent heat balance conditions at the phase boundary. Numerical results obtained by this scheme indicates that the method is stable and produces an accurate solutions for the heat conduction problems with phase change; even when large time steps used. The method is quite general and applicable for a variety of problems involving transition zones and deforming regions, and can be applied for one multidimensional problems.