Finite Volume Method and Large deformations

The finite volume method is similar to the finite differece method. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finite_volume_method. They are often used for computational fluid dynamics. For large deformations, traditional FEM may have element distortion issue. Meshfree method, such as SPH, and Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) method may be a good alternative.  

Wei

(a bit off-topic but...) A very robust method to deal with very large (and even unphysical) deformation is the method developped by Fedkiw and al. for computer graphics.

http://naml.us/~irving/movies/invertible/buddha_gear.avi

However its formulation is physically correct for moderate deformations, so it might be an easy and straightforward manner to deal with Large deformations.

Regards, 

Tom

My blog on research on Hybrid Solvers: http://mechenjoy.blogspot.com/

I use high order godunov type finite volme for large deformation in Eular mesh.

Euler-Cochi eq. with Jauman derivatives to take into account the rotation

inthe Hook's laws.

The test results are similar to   Autodyn or LS Dyna.

In this case (if you use FV for CFD and CSD) there is no problem with 

FSI (coupling fluids and structures). It is the exact Riemann's solver

between gas(fluid) with tate EOS and solids with Hook's law.