Finite Difference Schemes for the Cauchy–Navier Equations of Elasticity with Variable Coefficients

Abstract

We solve the variable coefficient Cauchy–Navier equations of elasticity in the unit square, for Dirichlet and Dirichlet-Neumann boundary conditions, using second order finite difference schemes. The resulting linear systems are solved by the preconditioned conjugate gradient (PCG) method with preconditioners corresponding to to the Laplace operator. The multiplication of a vector by the matrices of the resulting systems and the solution of systems with the preconditioners are performed at optimal and nearly optimal costs, respectively. For the case of Dirichlet boundary conditions, we prove the second order accuracy of the scheme in the discrete $H^1$ norm, symmetry of the resulting matrix and its spectral equivalence to the preconditioner. For the case of Dirichlet–Neumann boundary conditions, we prove symmetry of the resulting matrix. Numerical tests demonstrating the convergence properties of the schemes and PCG are presented.