A Block-Coupled Finite Volume Methodology for Linear Elasticity and Unstructured Meshes

The current article presents a new implicit cell-centred Finite Volume solution methodology for linear elasticity and unstructured meshes. Details are given of the implicit discretisation, including use of a Finite Area method for face tangential gradients and implicit non-orthogonal correction. A number of 2-D and 3-D linear-elastic benchmark test cases are examined using hexahedral, tetrahedral and general polyhedral meshes; solution accuracy and efficiency are compared with that of a segregated procedure and a commercial Finite Element software, where the new method is shown to be faster in all cases.Irish Centre for Composites Research (IComp