Matrix-free multigrid solvers for phase-field fracture problems

authored by: D. Jodlbauer, U. Langer, T. Wick
Abstract: In this work, we present a framework for the matrix-free solution to a monolithic quasi-static phase-field fracture model with geometric multigrid methods. Using a standard matrix-based approach within the Finite Element Method requires lots of memory, which eventually becomes a serious bottleneck. A matrix-free approach overcomes this problem and greatly reduces the amount of required memory, allowing to solve larger problems on available hardware. One key challenge is concerned with the crack irreversibility for which a primal–dual active set method is employed. Here, the active set values of fine meshes must be available on coarser levels of the multigrid algorithm. The developed multigrid method provides a preconditioner for a generalized minimal residual (GMRES) solver. This method is used for solving the linear equations inside Newton's method for treating the overall nonlinear-monolithic discrete displacement/phase-field formulation. Several numerical examples demonstrate the performance and robustness of our solution technology. Mesh refinement studies, variations in the phase-field regularization parameter, iterations numbers of the linear and nonlinear solvers, and some parallel performances are conducted to substantiate the efficiency of the proposed solver for single fractures, multiple pressurized fractures, and a L-shaped panel test in three dimensions.
Organisation(s): Institute of Applied Mathematics
PhoenixD: Photonics, Optics, and Engineering - Innovation Across Disciplines
External Organisation(s): Austrian Academy of Sciences
Type: Article
Journal: Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering
Volume: 372
ISSN: 0045-7825
Publication date: 01.12.2020
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Computational Mechanics, Mechanics of Materials, Mechanical Engineering, General Physics and Astronomy, Computer Science Applications
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.1902.08112 (Access: Open)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cma.2020.113431 (Access: Closed)