mascfem

mascfem is a term used in computational science to describe a family of finite element approaches designed for multiscale and multiphysics simulations. While there is no single standard definition, mascfem typically denotes methods that couple fine- and coarse-scale models within a unified finite element framework and employ adaptive strategies to resolve important features while controlling computational cost.

Key ideas in mascfem include multiscale coupling, adaptive mesh refinement, subgrid modeling, and mass- and energy-conserving discretizations. The methods often rely on domain decomposition and parallel solvers to tackle large problems, with time integration schemes that aim to preserve stability for nonlinear systems. The approach is designed to handle problems where phenomena occur at markedly different spatial or temporal scales and where direct uniform fine discretization would be prohibitive.

Implementation commonly takes the form of modular extensions to existing FEM codes or standalone libraries. Features frequently include error estimation, hp- or p-adaptive refinement, compatibility with mesh generators, and interfaces to linear and nonlinear solvers. In practice, mascfem is applied to problems in solid mechanics, porous media flow, geophysics, and fluid-structure interaction, among others.

Current status: mascfem is an active area of research rather than a single widely adopted package. Variants emphasize different physics, numerical stabilization techniques, or parallel scalability considerations. The terminology and available implementations vary by research group, but the overarching goal is accurate, scalable simulation of coupled multiscale phenomena.

Related topics include finite element method, multiscale modeling, adaptive mesh refinement, and domain decomposition.