Numerical model of seepage flows by reformulating finite element method based on new spherical Hankel shape functions

The water penetration in soil is investigated numerically using the finite element method (FEM) in a novel way. In the suggested method, new spherical Hankel shape functions are used and the finite element method is reformulated based on them. These new functions are obtained from the first and second kind of Bessel functions. The properties of Hankel shape functions lead to having more accuracy and robustness for the proposed method with low number of elements. To validate the suggested approach, at first, a boundary value problem is solved and the results are compared with the available analytical solution. Then, in order to prove the efficiency and applicability of the present model in the seepage problems, five examples including saturated and unsaturated flow in porous media are studied and the hydraulic head is calculated. Afterward, the results obtained from the classical and new method are compared together. The comparisons indicate that the suggested method with the low number of elements is more precise than the classic FEM with the same mesh.

Automated summary

In this study, the finite element method is employed to investigate water penetration in soil. By using new spherical Hankel shape functions, the method's accuracy and robustness are improved. The comparisons indicate that this method is more precise in handling seepage problems.