We consider iterative methods for solving the linearised Navier-Stokes equations arising from two-phase flow problems and the efficient preconditioning of such systems when using mixed finite element methods. Our target application is simulation within the Proteus toolkit; in particular, we will give results for a dynamic dam-break problem in 2D. We focus on a preconditioner motivated by approximate commutators which has proved effective, displaying mesh-independent convergence for the constant coefficient single-phase Navier-Stokes equations. This approach is known as the "pressure convection-diffusion" (PCD) preconditioner [H. C. Elman, D. J. Silvester and A. J. Wathen, Finite Elements and Fast Iterative Solvers: with Applications in Incompressible Fluid Dynamics, second ed., Oxford University Press, 2014]. However, the original technique fails to give comparable performance in its given form when applied to variable coefficient Navier-Stokes systems such as those arising in two-phase flow models. Here we develop a generalisation of this preconditioner appropriate for two-phase flow, requiring a new form for PCD. We omit considerations of boundary conditions to focus on the key features of two-phase flow. Before considering our target application, we present numerical results within the controlled setting of a simplified problem using a variety of different mixed elements. We compare these results with those for a straightforward extension to another commutator-based method known as the "least-squares commutator" (LSC) preconditioner, a technique also discussed in the aforementioned reference. We demonstrate that favourable properties of the original PCD and LSC preconditioners (without boundary adjustments) are retained with the new preconditioners in the two-phase situation.

Solving time-harmonic wave propagation problems in the frequency domain and within heterogeneous media brings many mathematical and computational challenges, especially in the high frequency regime. We will focus here on computational challenges and try to identify the best algorithm and numerical strategy for a few well-known benchmark cases arising in applications. The aim is to cover, through numerical experimentation and consideration of the best implementation strategies, the main two-level domain decomposition methods developed in recent years for the Helmholtz equation. The theory for these methods is either out of reach with standard mathematical tools or does not cover all cases of practical interest. More precisely, we will focus on the comparison of three coarse spaces that yield two-level methods: the grid coarse space, DtN coarse space, and GenEO coarse space. We will show that they display different pros and cons, and properties depending on

Dozens of exponential integration formulas have been proposed for the high-accuracy solution of stiff PDEs such as the Allen-Cahn, Korteweg-de Vries and Ginzburg-Landau equations. We report the results of extensive comparisons in MATLAB and Chebfun of such formulas in 1D, 2D and 3D, focusing on fourth and higher order methods, and periodic semilinear stiff PDEs with constant coefficients. Our conclusion is that it is hard to do much better than one of the simplest of these formulas, the ETDRK4 scheme of Cox and Matthews.

No abstract

Dozens of exponential integration formulas have been proposed for the high-accuracy solution of stiff PDEs such as the Allen-Cahn, Korteweg-de Vries and Ginzburg-Landau equations. We report the results of extensive comparisons in MATLAB and Chebfun of such formulas in 1D, 2D and 3D, focusing on fourth and higher order methods, and periodic semilinear stiff PDEs with constant coefficients. Our conclusion is that it is hard to do much better than one of the simplest of these formulas, the ETDRK4 scheme of Cox and Matthews.