Two-way coupling of thin shell finite element magnetic models via an iterative subproblem method

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to deal with the correction of the inaccuracies near edges and corners arising from thin shell models by means of an iterative finite element subproblem method. Classical thin shell approximations of conducting and/or magnetic regions replace the thin regions with impedance-type transmission conditions across surfaces, which introduce errors in the computation of the field distribution and Joule losses near edges and corners. Design/methodology/approach In the proposed approach local corrections around edges and corners are coupled to the thin shell models in an iterative procedure (each subproblem being influenced by the others), allowing to combine the efficiency of the thin shell approach with the accuracy of the full modelling of edge and corner effects. Findings The method is based on a thin shell solution in a complete problem, where conductive thin regions have been extracted and replaced by surfaces but strongly neglect errors on computation of the field distribution and Joule losses near edges and corners. Research limitations/implications This model is only limited to thin shell models by means of an iterative finite element subproblem method. Originality/value The developed method is considered to couple subproblems in two-way coupling correction, where each solution is influenced by all the others. This means that an iterative procedure between the subproblems must be required to obtain an accurate (convergence) solution that defines as a series of corrections.