Computational Mathematics and Scientific Computing Seminar

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Mesh-free finite difference methods for fully nonlinear elliptic equations

Speaker: Brittany Froese, NJIT

Location: Warren Weaver Hall 1302

Date: Sept. 23, 2016, 10 a.m.

Synopsis:

The relatively recent introduction of viscosity solutions and the Barles-Souganidis convergence framework have allowed for considerable progress in the numerical solution of fully nonlinear elliptic equations.  Convergent, wide-stencil finite difference methods now exist for a variety of problems.  However, these schemes are defined only on uniform Cartesian meshes over a rectangular domain.  We describe a framework for constructing convergent meshfree finite difference approximations for a class of nonlinear elliptic operators.  These approximations are defined on unstructured point clouds, which allows for computation on non-uniform meshes and complicated geometries.  Because the schemes are monotone, they fit within the Barles-Souganidis convergence framework and can serve as a foundation for higher-order filtered methods.  We present computational results for several examples including problems posed on random point clouds, computation of convex envelopes, obstacle problems, non-continuous surfaces of prescribed Gaussian curvature, and Monge-Ampere equations arising in optimal transportation.