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A physical interpretation of conservative and non‐conservative finite element formulations of convection‐type problems
Author(s) -
Giudice S. Del,
Comini G.,
ino C.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
international journal for numerical methods in engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.421
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1097-0207
pISSN - 0029-5981
DOI - 10.1002/nme.1620350406
Subject(s) - finite element method , discretization , mathematics , galerkin method , interpretation (philosophy) , calculus (dental) , mathematical analysis , computer science , physics , thermodynamics , medicine , dentistry , programming language
In this paper, finite element formulations of convection‐type problems are derived by means of an essentially physical approach. No new expressions are obtained for global matrices and vectors, but clear physical interpretations are provided for all the essential steps of conventional procedures based on the Galerkin method. The final systems of discretized equations are obtained from energy balances which yield conservative numerical models if reference is made to the conservative forms of the differential equations, or non‐conservative numerical models if, instead, the non‐conservative forms of the differential equations are considered.