Partitioned versus global Krylov subspace iterative methods for FE solution of 3-D Biot's problem

Finite element analysis of 3-D Biot's consolidation problem needs fast solution of discretized large 2 x 2 block symmetric indefinite linear systems. In this paper, partitioned iterative methods and global Krylov subspace iterative methods are investigated and compared. The partitioned iterative methods considered include stationary partitioned iteration and non-stationary Prevost's PCG procedure. The global Krylov subspace methods considered include MINRES and Symmetric QMR (SQMR). Two efficient preconditioners are proposed for global methods. Numerical experiments based on a pile-group problem and simple footing problems with varied soil profiles are carried out. Numerical results show that when used in conjunction with suitable preconditioners, global Krylov subspace iterative methods are more promising for large-scale computations, and further improvement could be possible if significant differences in the solid material properties are addressed in these preconditioned iterative methods. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.