Self-adaptive hierarchic finite element solution of the one-dimensional unsaturated flow equation

Abstract

The advantages associated with the use of self-adaptive methods for the solution of problems which require the prediction of a frontal position in time are well known. In this paper a self-adaptive finite element solution for the non-linear unsaturated flow equation is developed using hierarchic p -version enrichment of the interpolating space. Additional computational advantages are demonstrated for an iteration scheme in which iterations after enrichment are performed only over a subdomain. Numerical solutions are presented for a one-dimensional infiltration scenario.