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In this thesis we focus on multiscale and multiphysics problems. We derive a posteriori error estimates for a one way coupled multiphysics problem, using the dual weighted residual method. Such estimates can be used to drive local mesh refinement in adaptive algorithms, in order to efficiently obtain good accuracy in a desired goal quantity, which we demonstrate numerically. Furthermore we prove existence and uniqueness of finite element solutions for a two way coupled multiphysics problem. The possibility of deriving dual weighted a posteriori error estimates for two way coupled problems is also addressed. For a two way coupled linear problem, we show numerically that unless the coupling of the equations is to strong the propagation of errors between the solvers goes to zero.

We also apply a variational multiscale method to both an elliptic and a hyperbolic problem that exhibits multiscale features. The method is based on numerical solutions of decoupled local fine scale problems on patches. For the elliptic problem we derive an a posteriori error estimate and use an adaptive algorithm to automatically tune the resolution and patch size of the local problems. For the hyperbolic problem we demonstrate the importance of how to construct the patches of the local problems, by numerically comparing the results obtained for symmetric and directed patches.

In this paper we present a finite element discretization of the Joule-heating problem. We prove existence of solution to the discrete formulation and strong convergence of the finite element solution to the weak solution, up to a sub-sequence. We also present numerical examples in three spatial dimensions. The first example demonstrates the convergence of the method in the second example we consider an engineering application.

In this paper we develop an adaptive finite element method for heat transfer in incompressible fluid flow. The adaptive method is based on an a posteriori error estimate for the coupled problem, which identifies how accurately the flow and heat transfer problems must be solved in order to achieve overall accuracy in a specified goal quantity. The a posteriori error estimate is derived using duality techniques and is of dual weighted residual type. We consider, in particular, an a posteriori error estimate for a variational approximation of the integrated heat flux through the boundary of a hot object immersed into a cooling fluid flow. We illustrate the method on some test cases involving three-dimensional time-dependent flow and transport.

Real world applications often involve several types of physics. In practice, one often solves such multiphysics problems by using already existing single physics solvers. To satisfy an overall accuracy, it is critical to understand how accurate the individual single physics solution must be. In this paper we present a framework for a posteriori error estimation of multiphysics problems and derive an algorithm for estimating the total error. We illustrate the technique by solving a coupled flow and transport problem with application in porous media flow.