A conservative stabilized finite element method for the magneto-hydrodynamic equations

This work presents a finite element solution of the 3D magneto-hydrodynamic s equations. The formulation takes explicitly into account the local conser vation of the magnetic field, giving rise to a conservative formulation and introducing a new scalar variable. A stabilization technique is used in or der to allow equal linear interpolation on tetrahedral elements of all the variables. Numerical tests are performed in order to assess the stability a nd the accuracy of the resulting methods. The convergence rates are calcula ted for different stabilization parameters. Well-known MHD benchmark tests are calculated. Results show good agreement with analytical solutions. Copy right (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.