Iterative methods for p-version finite elements: preconditioning thin solids Original Research Article

We present new preconditioning strategy for thin 3D p-version elements used to model plate and shell structures as well as the microstructure of composite materials. The strategy is incorporated in an adaptive preconditioner suitable for large real-world problems. The method is shown to perform well for several large real world problems, including a model of the skin of an aircraft with over 1.6 million degrees of freedom, and a highly accurate model of a 28 ply laminated fiber plate.