A Framework for Parallel Adaptive Finite Element Computations with Dynamic Load Balancing

This paper describes parallel adaptive framework with dynamic load balancing developed in the frame of the open source finite element method code OOFEM. The parallelization strategy is based on domain decomposition and message passing paradigms. The dynamic load balancing engine is designed to operate on distributed nondedicated parallel computing environments. The paper also briefly comments on other important components of a complete adaptive strategy, namely the error estimator/indicator, projection operator and remeshing. The performance of the proposed strategy is illustrated on the nonlinear fracture analysis of concrete specimen, using damage based material model with nonlocal integral formulation.