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We consider elliptic problems in multipatch isogeometric analysis (IGA) where the patch parameterizations may be singular. Specifically, we address cases where certain dimensions of the parametric geometry diminish as the singularity is approached — for example, a curve collapsing into a point (in 2D), or a surface collapsing into a point or a curve (in 3D). To deal with this issue, we develop a robust weak formulation for the second-order Laplace equation that allows trimmed (cut) elements, enforces interface and Dirichlet conditions weakly, and does not depend on specially constructed approximation spaces. Our technique for dealing with the singular maps is based on the regularization of the Riemannian metric tensor, and we detail how to implement this robustly. We investigate the method's behavior when applied to a square-to-cusp parameterization that allows us to vary the singular behavior's aggressiveness in how quickly the measure tends to zero when the singularity is approached. We propose a scaling of the regularization parameter to obtain optimal order approximation. Our numerical experiments indicate that the method is robust also for quite aggressive singular parameterizations.

We develop a method for solving elliptic partial differential equations on surfaces described by CAD patches that may have gaps/overlaps. The method is based on hybridization using a three-dimensional mesh that covers the gap/overlap between patches. Thus, the hybrid variable is defined on a three-dimensional mesh, and we need to add appropriate normal stabilization to obtain an accurate solution, which we show can be done by adding a suitable term to the weak form. In practical applications, the hybrid mesh may be conveniently constructed using an octree to efficiently compute the necessary geometric information. We prove error estimates and present several numerical examples illustrating the application of the method to different problems, including a realistic CAD model.

Partial differential equations (PDE) on surfaces appear in a variety of applications, such as image processing, modeling of lubrication, fluid flows, diffusion, and transport of surfactants.  In some applications, surfaces are drawn and modeled by using CAD software, giving a very precise patchwise parametric description of the surface. This thesis deals with the development of methods for finding numerical solutions to PDE posed on such parametrically described multipatch surfaces. The thesis consists of an introduction and five papers.

In the first paper, we develop a general framework for the Laplace-Beltrami operator on a patchwise parametric surface. Each patch map induces a Riemannian metric, which we utilize to compute quantities in the simpler reference domain. We use the cut finite element method together with Nitsche’s method to enforce continuity over the interfaces between patches.

In the second paper, we extend the framework to be able to handle geometries that consist of an arrangement of surfaces, i.e., more than two per interface. By using a Kirchhoff's condition this method avoids defining any co-normal to each surface and can deal with sharp edges. This approach is shown to be equivalent to standard Nitsche interface method for flat geometries.

In the third paper, we developed a cut finite element method for elliptic problems with corner singularities. The main idea is to use an appropriate radial map that grades the finite element mesh towards the corner that counter-acts the solution's singularity.

In the fourth paper, we present a new robust isogeometric method for surfaces described by CAD patches with gaps or overlaps. The main approach here is to cover all interfaces with a three-dimensional mesh and then use a hybrid variable in a Nitsche-type formulation to transfer data over the gaps. Using this hybridized approach leads to a convenient and easy to implement method with no restriction on the number of coupled patches per interface.

In the fifth paper, we present a routine to the multipatch isogeometric framework for dealing with singular maps. To exemplify this, we consider a specific type of singular parametrization which essentially maps a square onto a triangle. One part of the boundary of the square will be transformed into a single point and the metric tensor becomes singular as we approach this boundary. In this work we propose a regularization procedure which is based on eigenvalue decomposition of the metric tensor.

We develop a parametric cut finite element method for elliptic boundary value problems with corner singularities where we have weighted control of higher order derivatives of the solution to a neighborhood of a point at the boundary. Our approach is based on identification of a suitable mapping that grades the mesh towards the singularity. In particular, this mapping may be chosen without identifying the opening angle at the corner. We employ cut finite elements together with Nitsche boundary conditions and stabilization in the vicinity of the boundary. We prove that the method is stable and convergent of optimal order in the energy norm and L² norm. This is achieved by mapping to the reference domain where we employ a structured mesh.

We develop a finite element method for elliptic partial differential equations on so called composite surfaces that are built up out of a finite number of surfaces with boundaries that fit together nicely in the sense that the intersection between any two surfaces in the composite surface is either empty, a point, or a curve segment, called an interface curve. Note that several surfaces can intersect along the same interface curve. On the composite surface we consider a broken finite element space which consists of a continuous finite element space at each subsurface without continuity requirements across the interface curves. We derive a Nitsche type formulation in this general setting and by assuming only that a certain inverse inequality and an approximation property hold we can derive stability and error estimates in the case when the geometry is exactly represented. We discuss several different realizations, including so called cut meshes, of the method. Finally, we present numerical examples.

We develop a finite element method for the Laplace–Beltrami operator on a surface described by a set of patchwise parametrizations. The patches provide a partition of the surface and each patch is the image by a diffeomorphism of a subdomain of the unit square which is bounded by a number of smooth trim curves. A patchwise tensor product mesh is constructed by using a structured mesh in the reference domain. Since the patches are trimmed we obtain cut elements in the vicinity of the interfaces. We discretize the Laplace–Beltrami operator using a cut finite element method that utilizes Nitsche’s method to enforce continuity at the interfaces and a consistent stabilization term to handle the cut elements. Several quantities in the method are conveniently computed in the reference domain where the mappings impose a Riemannian metric. We derive a priori estimates in the energy and L2 norm and also present several numerical examples confirming our theoretical results.