A scalable parallel factorization of finite element matrices with distributed Schur complements. Issue 5 (30th June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Maurer, Daniel; Wieners, Christian
• Is Part Of: Numerical linear algebra with applications. Volume 23:Issue 5(2016:Sep.)
• Page Start: 848
• Page End: 864
• Publication Date: 2016-06-30
• Subjects: parallel factorization -- block LU decomposition -- finite element matrix -- Schur complements; Algebras, Linear -- Periodicals; 512.5
• DOI: 10.1002/nla.2057
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1070-5325

Abstract

Summary: We consider the parallel factorization of sparse finite element matrices on distributed memory machines. Our method is based on a nested dissection approach combined with a cyclic re‐distribution of the interface Schur complements. We present a detailed definition of the parallel method, and the well‐posedness and the complexity of the algorithm are analyzed. A lean and transparent functional interface to existing finite element software is defined, and the performance is demonstrated for several representative examples. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.