Collaborative Research: Elements: EXHUME: Extraction for High-Order Unfitted Finite Element Methods

The overarching objective of this project is to construct a novel software library, EXHUME (EXtraction for High-order Unfitted finite element MEthods), to enable the use of classical finite element codes for unfitted finite element analysis. Unfitted finite element methods allow for the simulation of physical systems that are difficult if not impossible to simulate using classical finite element methods, and they also streamline the construction of design optimization technologies that optimize the geometry and material layout of an engineered system based on prescribed performance metrics. However, the computer implementation of an unfitted finite element method remains a challenging and time-consuming task even for domain experts. EXHUME overcomes this barrier by generating data structures that can be leveraged to transform classical finite element codes relying on element formation and assembly into unfitted finite element codes with little implementation effort.