On a fractional step-splitting scheme for the Cahn-Hilliard equation. Issue 7 (30th September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Aderogba, A.A.; Chapwanya, M.; Djoko, J.K.
• Is Part Of: Engineering computations. Volume 31:Issue 7(2014)
• Page Start: 1151
• Page End: 1168
• Publication Date: 2014-09-30
• Subjects: Computer-aided engineering -- Periodicals; Computer graphics -- Periodicals; 620.00285
• DOI: 10.1108/EC-09-2012-0223
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-4401

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x content-type="archive" xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Purpose</title> <p> – For a partial differential equation with a fourth-order derivative such as the Cahn-Hilliard equation, it is always a challenge to design numerical schemes that can handle the restrictive time step introduced by this higher order term. The purpose of this paper is to employ a fractional splitting method to isolate the convective, the nonlinear second-order and the fourth-order differential terms. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Design/methodology/approach</title> <p> – The full equation is then solved by consistent schemes for each differential term independently. In addition to validating the second-order accuracy, the authors will demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed method by validating the dissipation of the Ginzberg-Lindau energy and the coarsening properties of the solution. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Findings</title> <p> – The scheme is second-order accuracy, the authors will demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed method by validating the dissipation of the Ginzberg-Lindau energy and the coarsening properties of the solution. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Originality/value</title> <p> – The authors believe that this is the first time the equation is handled numerically using the fractional step method. Apart from the fact that the fractional step method substantially reduces computational time, it has the advantage of simplifying a complex process efficiently. This method permits the treatment of each segment of the original equation separately and piece them together, in a way that will be explained shortly, without destroying the properties of the equation.</p> </sec> </abstract>