OpenMp solvers for parallel finite element and meshless analyses

Abstract

Purpose

This paper develops C++ and Fortran-90 solvers to establish parallel solution procedures in a finite element or meshless analysis program using shared memory computers. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The stiffness matrix can be symmetrical or unsymmetrical, and the solution schemes include sky-line Cholesky and parallel preconditioned conjugate gradient-like methods.

Findings

By using the features of C++ or Fortran-90, the stiffness matrix and its auxiliary arrays can be encapsulated into a class or module as private arrays. This class or module will handle how to allocate, renumber, assemble, parallelize and solve these complicated arrays automatically.

Practical implications

The source codes can be obtained online at http//myweb.ncku.edu.tw/∼juju. The major advantage of the scheme is that it is simple and systematic, so an efficient parallel finite element or meshless program can be established easily.

Originality/value

With the minimum requirement of computer memory, an object-oriented C++ class and a Fortran-90 module were established to allocate, renumber, assemble, parallel, and solve the global stiffness matrix, so that the programmer does not need to handle them directly.

Citation

Ju, S.H. (2014), "OpenMp solvers for parallel finite element and meshless analyses", Engineering Computations, Vol. 31 No. 1, pp. 2-17. https://doi.org/10.1108/EC-02-2012-0032