Element-based preconditioners for elasto-plastic problems

Iterative solvers are widely regarded as the most efficient way to solve the very large linear systems arising from finite element models. Their memory requirements are small compared to those for direct solvers. Consequently, there is a major interest in iterative methods and particularly the preconditioning necessary to achieve rapid convergence. In this paper we present new element-based preconditioners specifically designed for linear elasticity and elasto-plastic problems. The study presented here is restricted to simple associated plasticity but should find wide application in other plasticity models used in geotechnics.