A Time-Parallel Framework for Coupling Finite Element and Lattice Boltzmann Methods

In this work we propose a new numerical procedure for the simulation of time-dependent problems based on the coupling between the finite element method and the lattice Boltzmann method. The procedure is based on the Parareal paradigm and allows to couple efficiently the two numerical methods, each one working with its own grid size and time-step size. The motivations behind this approach are manifold. Among others, we have that one technique may be more efficient, or physically more appropriate or less memory consuming than the other depending on the target of the simulation and/or on the sub-region of the computational domain. Furthermore, the coupling with finite element method may circumvent some difficulties inherent to lattice Boltzmann discretization, for some domains with complex boundaries, or for some boundary conditions. The theoretical and numerical framework is presented for parabolic equations, in order to describe and validate numerically the methodology in a simple situation.