A finite element method for level sets

Abstract

Level set methods have recently gained much popularity to capture discontinuities, including their possible propagation. In this contribution we present a finite element approach for solving the governing equations of level set methods. After a review of the governing equations, the initialisation of the level sets, the discretisation on a finite domain and the stabilisation of the resulting finite element method will be discussed. Special attention will be given to the proper treatment of the internal boundary condition, which is achieved by exploiting the partition-of-unity property of finite element shape functions.