Finite element method completely implemented for graphic processor units using parallel algorithm libraries

Abstract

A finite element code is developed in which all of the computationally expensive steps are performed on a graphics processing unit via the THRUST and the PARALUTION libraries. The code focuses on the simulation of transient problems where the repeated computations per time-step create the computational cost. It is used to solve partial and ordinary differential equations as they arise in thermal-runaway simulations of automotive batteries. The speed-up obtained by utilizing the graphics processing unit for every critical step is compared against the single core and the multi-threading solutions which are also supported by the chosen libraries. This way a high total speed-up on the graphics processing unit is achieved without the need for programming a single classical Compute Unified Device Architecture kernel.