Modifications of the Newton–Raphson method for finite element simulations in ferroelectroelasticity

The system of equations arising in finite element simulations of components made of ferroelectroelastic materials is non-linear if the loading is sufficiently high. The Newton–Raphson method represents a widely used iterative technique to solve this system of non-linear equations. However, if the scalar potential formulation is utilised, convergence difficulties may occur. This circumstance can be primarily attributed to the specific form of the non-linear response of typical ferroelectroelastic materials being subjected to electrical loading. The present paper is devoted to modifications of the Newton–Raphson method, which are capable of improving the convergence behaviour experienced in the finite element iteration. We extend an existing modification to the fully coupled, ferroelectroelastic case. Additionally, a new modification of the Newton–Raphson method is proposed. This method applies an iteration algorithm, which is virtually equivalent to the iteration algorithm of the unmodified Newton–Raphson method combined with the vector potential formulation. An important feature of both modifications is that they are applied on the integration point level. Therefore, the global non-linear finite element iteration scheme remains unchanged. Finally, the practicability of the modifications discussed in the paper is shown in a numerical example.