A frontal code for the solution of sparse positive-definite symmetric systems arising from finite-element applications

We describe the design, implementation, and performance of a frontal code f or the solution of large sparse symmetric systems of linear finite-element equations. The code is intended primarily for positive-definite systems, si nce numerical pivoting is not performed. The resulting software package, MA 62, will be included in the Harwell Subroutine Library. We illustrate the p erformance of our new code on a range of problems arising from real enginee ring and industrial applications. The performance of the code is compared w ith that of the Harwell Subroutine Library general frontal solver MA42 and with other positive-definite codes from the Harwell Subroutine Library.