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Isogeometric analysis

Isogeometric analysis (IGA) is a computational method in numerical analysis that unifies the representation of geometry and the approximation of solution fields by employing the same basis functions—typically Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS)—from computer-aided design (CAD) software to solve partial differential equations (PDEs) governing physical phenomena, such as those in solid and fluid mechanics.^[1] This approach eliminates the need for geometry reconstruction or meshing in traditional finite element analysis (FEA), ensuring exact representation of complex geometries defined in CAD models.^[1] Introduced in 2005 by Thomas J.R. Hughes, John A. Cottrell, and Yuri Bazilevs, IGA addresses longstanding challenges in the integration of CAD and FEA by using NURBS not only for precise geometric discretization but also as the basis for variational formulations in analysis.^[1] The method leverages the higher-order continuity and smoothness inherent in NURBS, which provide superior approximation properties compared to standard Lagrange polynomials in classical FEA, leading to more accurate solutions with fewer degrees of freedom.^[2] Since its inception, IGA has evolved through refinements in basis functions, such as T-splines for local refinement, and extensions to multiphysics problems.^[3] Key advantages of IGA include reduced design-to-analysis turnaround time, as it bypasses error-prone data translation between CAD and analysis tools, and enhanced capability for handling higher-order methods that improve convergence rates in simulations.^[2] Applications span a wide range of fields, including structural mechanics for beam and plate analysis, fluid dynamics for flow simulations, contact mechanics, and fracture mechanics where enriched basis functions via partition-of-unity methods are incorporated.^[2] Ongoing developments focus on efficient implementation strategies, such as Bézier extraction for compatibility with existing FEA codes, and exploration of isogeometric boundary element methods. Recent advancements as of 2025 include integrations with machine learning for predictive modeling and space-time formulations for dynamic problems.^[3]^[4]^[5]

Introduction

Definition and core principles

Isogeometric analysis (IGA) is a computational approach that employs the same basis functions for both the representation of the geometry and the approximation of the solution of partial differential equations (PDEs).^[6] Introduced as a paradigm shift in numerical simulation, IGA leverages Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS), which are standard in computer-aided design (CAD) software, to ensure exact geometric fidelity without the need for intermediate meshing steps.^[6] This unification allows for higher-order continuity in both geometry and solution fields, distinguishing IGA from traditional finite element analysis (FEA) where geometry is often approximated by piecewise linear elements.^[6] At its core, IGA principles revolve around seamless integration of the design and analysis phases, thereby eliminating inconsistencies that arise in conventional workflows from converting exact CAD geometries to discrete meshes and then approximating physical fields.^[6] By using NURBS basis functions to parameterize the domain exactly as defined in CAD, IGA maintains geometric accuracy throughout refinement processes, such as knot insertion or degree elevation, without reintroducing approximation errors.^[6] This approach fosters a more robust and efficient pipeline, particularly for complex geometries where traditional meshing can introduce distortions or loss of fidelity.^[6] The basic workflow in IGA begins with a NURBS-based CAD model, which defines the parametric domain.^[6] From this, a coarse discretization into NURBS elements is constructed in the parametric space, followed by refinement to achieve desired resolution while preserving the exact geometry.^[6] PDEs governing the physical problem are then solved directly on this exact representation, with the solution approximated using the same NURBS basis.^[6] The general form of this approximation is given by

u^h(\xi) = \sum_{i=1}^{n} R_{i,p}(\xi) \, C_i,

where R_{i,p}(\xi) are the NURBS basis functions of degree p, \xi is the parametric coordinate, and C_i are the control variables.^[6] This formulation ensures that the numerical solution inherits the smoothness and exactness of the underlying geometry.^[6]

Motivation and relation to CAD and FEA

Traditional finite element analysis (FEA) relies on mesh generation from computer-aided design (CAD) geometries, which introduces approximation errors, particularly for complex shapes involving curves and surfaces. This process often requires significant manual intervention and can consume up to 80% of the overall analysis time, as meshing remains a major bottleneck in engineering workflows. Moreover, design iterations in product development necessitate repeated remeshing, exacerbating delays and potential inconsistencies between the design model and the analysis domain. Isogeometric analysis (IGA) bridges this gap by directly employing non-uniform rational B-splines (NURBS), the standard basis functions in CAD systems, for both geometric representation and numerical discretization in FEA. This integration eliminates the need for separate mesh generation from CAD data, ensuring exact geometry throughout the analysis process and avoiding discretization-induced errors. As a result, IGA maintains the precise parametric description from CAD, allowing for isoparametric elements that preserve higher fidelity in simulations without altering the underlying geometry. The approach significantly streamlines the design-analysis loop, reducing turnaround time for iterative optimizations and enabling more efficient collaboration between designers and analysts. A key advantage is IGA's ability to exactly represent conic sections, such as circles and ellipses, as well as higher-order geometries, without the faceting approximations common in traditional polygonal meshes. This exactness is inherent to NURBS, which are widely adopted in CAD for their capacity to model free-form shapes with mathematical precision.

Historical development

Origins and foundational work

Isogeometric analysis (IGA) originated in 2005 with the seminal publication by Thomas J. R. Hughes, J. Austin Cottrell, and Yuri Bazilevs, which introduced a novel framework for integrating computer-aided design (CAD) and finite element analysis (FEA) through the use of Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS).^[1] Published in Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, this work proposed employing NURBS basis functions—standard in CAD for exact geometric representation—to discretize partial differential equations (PDEs), thereby eliminating the need for geometry reconstruction in traditional FEA workflows.^[1] The paper demonstrated the approach's viability for problems in solids, structures, and fluids, emphasizing its potential to bridge the historical disconnect between CAD development in the 1970s–1980s and earlier FEA origins in the 1950s–1960s.^[1] The foundational work extended core finite element concepts, such as Galerkin methods and mesh refinement, to spline-based approximations while preserving exact geometry throughout the analysis process.^[1] Initial efforts focused on solving elliptic PDEs, including linear elasticity for solids and thin shells, as well as advection-diffusion problems, using NURBS to construct solution spaces that ensure completeness under affine transformations and optimal convergence rates.^[1] This approach introduced refinement strategies like h-, p-, and k-refinement directly on NURBS, allowing for higher-order accuracy and reduced numerical errors compared to piecewise polynomial bases in standard FEA, without altering the underlying geometry.^[1] By leveraging NURBS' ability to represent complex shapes precisely, the method addressed longstanding challenges in isoparametric finite elements, where geometry approximation introduces inconsistencies.^[1] Key contributions came from Thomas J. R. Hughes, a leading figure in computational mechanics and primary developer of IGA, based at the Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences (ICES) at the University of Texas at Austin.^[7] Early collaborations with J. Austin Cottrell and Yuri Bazilevs, also affiliated with ICES, formed the core team that established the theoretical and numerical foundations.^[1] Their joint efforts built on Hughes's prior expertise in stabilized and variational multiscale methods, adapting these to spline spaces for enhanced solution fidelity.^[8] The IGA framework marked a paradigm shift from ad-hoc applications of splines in numerical analysis to a systematic, unified methodology, with initial presentations at conferences around 2005–2006 highlighting its implications for CAD-FEA integration.^[9] For instance, a 2006 talk by Bazilevs, Cottrell, and Hughes at the 7th World Congress on Computational Mechanics emphasized geometric considerations in IGA, solidifying its emergence as a distinct field.^[9] This foundational period laid the groundwork for subsequent refinements, positioning IGA as a rigorous alternative to conventional finite element techniques.^[1]

Key milestones and evolution

Following the foundational introduction of isogeometric analysis (IGA) in 2005 by Hughes et al., which proposed using NURBS for both geometry representation and solution approximation, subsequent developments from 2007 to 2010 focused on refinement strategies and initial applications. In 2007, studies explored the effects of basis function smoothness on solution accuracy, leading to the development of h-, p-, and k-refinement techniques tailored to IGA's higher continuity, enabling adaptive mesh refinement while preserving exact geometry.^[10] Concurrently, locking-free formulations for plane linear elasticity were introduced, demonstrating superior accuracy over traditional finite elements for problems with thin structures. By 2010, theoretical estimates for h-p-k-refinement were established, quantifying approximation properties of NURBS spaces and justifying IGA's enhanced convergence rates. Integration with boundary element methods also emerged by 2011, with early implementations using NURBS for elastostatic analysis on trimmed geometries, reducing the need for meshing and improving CAD compatibility.^[11] The 2010s marked a period of broader evolution, extending IGA to complex physics and advanced refinement. Early applications to fluid dynamics included stabilized formulations for the Stokes equations in 2010, paving the way for full Navier-Stokes simulations of incompressible flows by addressing inf-sup conditions through IGA's smooth basis functions. This facilitated multiphysics couplings, such as fluid-structure interactions in 2008, and later optimizations where IGA's parametric nature enabled seamless design iterations. A pivotal advancement was the 2010 introduction of T-splines, which allowed local refinement without global propagation, overcoming NURBS limitations for complex topologies and supporting applications in optimization and multiphysics. By mid-decade, rigorous analysis of analysis-suitable T-splines confirmed their linear independence and approximation properties for arbitrary degrees, solidifying their adoption. Recent developments through 2025 have emphasized practical implementations and hybrid approaches. Commercial integration advanced with LS-DYNA's IGA support starting around 2021, enabling explicit and implicit dynamics simulations for shells and solids, including anisotropic materials via standard material models, thus bridging CAD design and crash analysis workflows.^[12] Advancements in machine learning-enhanced IGA have emerged for surrogate modeling, such as CNN-based models in 2022 that accelerate nonlocal flexoelectric simulations by predicting IGA responses from training data, reducing computational costs in parametric studies. In 2020, a special issue in Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences (CMES) highlighted IGA's progress in structural optimization. Parallel to this, open-source tools like GeoPDEs have grown since 2011, providing Matlab/Octave-compatible frameworks for IGA research and fostering community-driven extensions for multiphysics problems. As of 2025, ongoing enhancements include expanded IGA capabilities in LS-DYNA for structured and unstructured elements, presented at the IGA 2025 conference, and a special issue in the Journal of Computational and Applied Mathematics on IGA refinability methods (call deadline September 2025).^[13]^[14]

Mathematical foundations

Parametric domains and knot vectors

In isogeometric analysis (IGA), the physical domain \Omega \subset \mathbb{R}^d representing the geometry of interest is mapped to a parametric domain \hat{\Omega} = [0,1]^d through non-uniform rational B-splines (NURBS). This mapping, denoted as \mathbf{x} = \mathbf{R}(\hat{\mathbf{x}}), where \mathbf{R} is the NURBS parametrization and \hat{\mathbf{x}} \in \hat{\Omega}, preserves the exact geometry from computer-aided design (CAD) models without approximation errors during analysis. The parametric domain simplifies computations by transforming the governing partial differential equations into a reference space, facilitating the construction of basis functions and numerical integration.^[6] A critical component of this setup is the knot vector, defined as a non-decreasing sequence of parameter values \Xi = \{\xi_1, \xi_2, \dots, \xi_{n+p+1}\} in the parametric space, where p is the polynomial degree of the splines, and n is the number of basis functions. Knot vectors are typically open, meaning the first and last knots are repeated p+1 times (\xi_1 = \xi_2 = \dots = \xi_{p+1} = 0 and \xi_{n+1} = \dots = \xi_{n+p+1} = 1), which ensures interpolation at the endpoints of the domain while maintaining higher continuity in the interior. This structure allows the parametric domain to be precisely controlled, aligning seamlessly with CAD representations.^[6] The knots divide the parametric domain into knot spans, or elements, such as [\xi_i, \xi_{i+1}] in one dimension, over which the basis functions are supported locally. The continuity of the spline space across these spans is determined by knot multiplicity: at a knot with multiplicity i, the functions exhibit C^{p-i} continuity, enabling smooth representations for complex geometries. For instance, uniform knot vectors with equally spaced interior knots promote evenly distributed basis functions, suitable for regular domains, whereas non-uniform knot vectors allow concentrated refinement in regions of interest, such as near boundaries or singularities, to better capture geometric variations without altering the exact CAD model. These knot vectors form the foundation for constructing B-spline and NURBS basis functions used in IGA discretizations.^[6] The pull-back mechanism leverages this parametric mapping to evaluate the weak form of the problem in \hat{\Omega}, transforming integrals via the Jacobian determinant of the mapping: \int_\Omega f(\mathbf{x}) \, d\mathbf{x} = \int_{\hat{\Omega}} f(\mathbf{R}(\hat{\mathbf{x}})) \left| \det \frac{\partial \mathbf{R}}{\partial \hat{\mathbf{x}}} \right| \, d\hat{\mathbf{x}}. This approach ensures that numerical quadrature is performed efficiently on the parametric elements defined by the knot spans, maintaining the isogeometric paradigm's fidelity to the exact geometry throughout the analysis process.^[6]

B-spline basis functions

B-spline basis functions form the non-uniform rational B-spline (NURBS) foundation in isogeometric analysis (IGA), providing piecewise polynomial approximations over parametric domains defined by knot vectors. These functions are constructed recursively using the Cox-de Boor formula, which defines the i-th B-spline basis function of degree p, denoted N_{i,p}(\xi), as follows: For p = 0,

N_{i,0}(\xi) = \begin{cases} 1 & \xi_i \leq \xi < \xi_{i+1} \\ 0 & \text{otherwise} \end{cases}

For p \geq 1,

N_{i,p}(\xi) = \frac{\xi - \xi_i}{\xi_{i+p} - \xi_i} N_{i,p-1}(\xi) + \frac{\xi_{i+p+1} - \xi}{\xi_{i+p+1} - \xi_{i+1}} N_{i+1,p-1}(\xi),

where \xi is the parametric variable and \{\xi_i\} is the knot vector.^[15] Key properties of B-spline basis functions include partition of unity, where \sum_i N_{i,p}(\xi) = 1 for all \xi in the domain; non-negativity, ensuring N_{i,p}(\xi) \geq 0; local support, with each basis function nonzero over at most p+1 knot spans; and smoothness, achieving C^{p-1} continuity between distinct knots.^[15] Additionally, B-splines exactly reproduce polynomials of degree up to p, enabling precise representation of low-order functions within their span. In IGA, univariate B-spline basis functions are extended to multivariate cases via tensor products to approximate solution fields over complex geometries, with control points serving as degrees of freedom analogous to nodal values in finite elements. This construction ensures higher-order continuity and geometric fidelity directly from computer-aided design (CAD) representations.

NURBS basis functions

Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS) extend B-spline basis functions by incorporating rational weights associated with control points, enabling the exact representation of complex geometries such as conic sections that cannot be precisely captured by polynomial B-splines alone.^[1]^[16] The NURBS basis functions are defined as

R_{i,p}(\xi) = \frac{N_{i,p}(\xi) w_i}{\sum_{j=1}^n N_{j,p}(\xi) w_j},

where N_{i,p}(\xi) are the underlying B-spline basis functions of degree p, w_i > 0 are the weights for the i-th control point, and the summation is over all n basis functions active at parameter \xi in the one-dimensional parametric domain.^[16] These weights allow NURBS to project B-spline curves from a homogeneous space, providing greater flexibility in shape control without altering the non-negativity and partition-of-unity properties inherited from B-splines when weights are positive.^[16] NURBS exhibit several key properties essential for geometric modeling and analysis. They possess affine invariance, meaning that applying an affine transformation to the control points results in the exact corresponding transformation of the NURBS curve, ensuring consistent behavior under translations, rotations, scalings, and shears.^[16] Additionally, NURBS can exactly represent circles, ellipses, and other conic sections by appropriate choice of control points and weights—for instance, a quadratic NURBS curve with specific weights can model a full circle—while also supporting freeform curves through varying weights that pull the curve toward or away from control points.^[16] Refinement invariance guarantees that knot insertion or refinement does not alter the geometry or parameterization, preserving exactness during mesh adaptation.^[17] For higher dimensions, NURBS are extended via tensor products to represent surfaces and volumes. A NURBS surface of degrees p and q is given by

\mathbf{r}(\xi, \eta) = \sum_{i=1}^n \sum_{j=1}^m R_{i,j,p,q}(\xi, \eta) \mathbf{P}_{i,j},

where the bivariate basis functions are

R_{i,j,p,q}(\xi, \eta) = \frac{N_{i,p}(\xi) M_{j,q}(\eta) w_{i,j}}{\sum_{i=1}^n \sum_{j=1}^m N_{i,p}(\xi) M_{j,q}(\eta) w_{i,j}},

with M_{j,q}(\eta) the B-spline basis in the \eta-direction and \mathbf{P}_{i,j} the control points in a two-dimensional control net augmented by weights w_{i,j}.^[16] This structure extends analogously to volumes using trivariate tensor products. In isogeometric analysis, the geometry is parameterized exactly as \mathbf{r}(\xi) = \sum_{i=1}^n R_{i,p}(\xi) \mathbf{P}_i (or its multivariate form), allowing the inverse mapping from the physical domain to the parametric domain for numerical integration and solution approximation.^[1]

Discretization and meshes

Mesh construction in IGA

In isogeometric analysis (IGA), meshes are generated directly from the parametric NURBS representation of the geometry, bypassing the traditional finite element meshing process that often introduces approximation errors. The element domains in the physical space are defined as the images of knot spans from the parametric domain under the NURBS mapping, where each knot span corresponds to a single element.^[1] The control mesh, consisting of the control points and associated net, serves as the foundational structure for this representation, while the physical mesh emerges from applying the NURBS map to the parametric elements, ensuring a seamless connection between design and analysis.^[1] During construction, knot vectors delineate the parametric spans, and for collocation methods within IGA, Greville points—defined for a B-spline of degree p as the average of p consecutive knots \hat{\xi}i = \frac{1}{p} \sum{k=1}^p \xi_{i+k} in the knot vector—are selected as evaluation points within these spans to enforce the governing equations. Complex geometries are accommodated by handling trimmed NURBS surfaces, where trimming curves implicitly define element boundaries without altering the underlying basis, or by assembling multi-patch domains, in which adjacent NURBS patches are coupled at interfaces to represent the full physical domain.^[18]^[19] For multi-dimensional problems, tensor-product constructions extend the one-dimensional knot spans across coordinates, yielding quadrilateral elements in 2D and hexahedral-like elements in 3D, with the parametric uniformity inherently avoiding hanging nodes that complicate adaptive finite element meshes.^[1] IGA meshes preserve exact geometry boundaries at all stages, which minimizes distortion in high-order elements and enhances accuracy over polynomial-based approximations that approximate curved boundaries with straight facets.^[1]

Integration and quadrature

In isogeometric analysis (IGA), numerical integration is performed in the parametric domain using Gauss-Legendre quadrature rules, which approximate integrals over reference elements mapped to physical space via the Jacobian determinant. Specifically, an integral \int f(\xi) \, d\xi over a parametric interval is approximated as \sum_g w_g f(\xi_g), where \xi_g and w_g are the Gauss points and weights, respectively; this is then pulled back to the physical domain through the transformation \int_\Omega g(\mathbf{x}) \, d\mathbf{x} = \int_{\hat{\Omega}} g(\mathbf{x}(\xi)) |\mathbf{J}| \, d\hat{\Omega}, with \mathbf{J} denoting the Jacobian matrix. This approach leverages the isoparametric nature of IGA, where the same NURBS basis functions define both geometry and solution fields, ensuring consistent mapping across elements defined by knot spans. Due to non-uniform knot vectors in typical NURBS representations, each element (knot span) requires its own quadrature setup, as span lengths vary and affect the local mapping, potentially leading to inaccuracies if uniform rules are applied globally. To achieve p-order accuracy in the basis functions, higher-order Gauss-Legendre rules are employed, typically with (p+1) points per direction in one dimension to exactly integrate polynomials up to degree 2p, though standard Gauss rules can be suboptimal in IGA because they do not fully exploit the higher inter-element continuity of NURBS. Solutions include element-specific adjustments and reduced quadrature schemes, such as the "half-point rule" using approximately half the points of full Gauss quadrature while maintaining stability and accuracy for smooth bases.^[20] For assembling stiffness matrices, over-integration—employing more quadrature points than minimally required, such as (p+2) or higher per direction—is often used to mitigate errors from varying Jacobians in coarse or distorted elements, ensuring better approximation of derivatives in the weak form. The key assembly for a diffusion problem, for instance, transforms the physical weak form \int_\Omega \nabla u \cdot \nabla v \, dx = \sum_e \int_{\hat{e}} \nabla_\xi u \cdot (\mathbf{J}^{-1})^T \mathbf{J}^{-1} \nabla_\xi v \, |\mathbf{J}| \, d\xi over element reference domains \hat{e}, where the summation accounts for per-element integration. In advanced applications, such as flow problems, variational multiscale (VMS) stabilization incorporates subgrid-scale residuals into the weak form, necessitating specialized quadrature to resolve fine-scale contributions accurately without excessive computational cost.^[20]

Refinement techniques

h-refinement

In isogeometric analysis, h-refinement refers to the process of inserting additional knots into the knot vector to subdivide the parametric spans, which increases the number of basis functions n and thus the number of elements while preserving the polynomial degree p. This strategy parallels classical finite element h-refinement by locally or globally refining the mesh to improve resolution without altering the order of the approximation space. The knot vector structure, consisting of non-decreasing parameters that define the support of basis functions, enables this insertion to occur precisely within existing intervals. The primary algorithm for performing h-refinement is Boehm's knot insertion method, which facilitates local refinement by adding a single knot \tilde{\xi} within a specific span [\xi_i, \xi_{i+1}] of the original knot vector \Xi = \{\xi_1, \ldots, \xi_{n+p+1}\}.^[21] This algorithm updates the control points (or coefficients) locally, affecting only a limited number of basis functions around the insertion site, specifically $2p+1 points for a single knot.^[21] The updated knot vector becomes \tilde{\Xi} = \Xi \cup \{\tilde{\xi}\}, with knots sorted in non-decreasing order. The new control points \mathbf{B}_i are computed using the following relations for a knot inserted in the interval defined by indices k:

\begin{align*} \mathbf{B}_i &= \mathbf{B}_i, \quad 1 \leq i \leq k-p, \\ \mathbf{B}_i &= a_i \mathbf{B}_i + (1 - a_i) \mathbf{B}_{i-1}, \quad k-p+1 \leq i \leq k, \\ \mathbf{B}_i &= \mathbf{B}_{i-1}, \quad k+1 \leq i \leq n+1, \end{align*}

where a_i = \frac{\tilde{\xi} - \xi_i}{\xi_{i+p} - \xi_i}. In matrix form, this transformation is expressed as \mathbf{C}^{\text{new}} = A \mathbf{C}^{\text{old}}, where A is a banded refinement matrix that ensures the geometry remains unchanged. h-refinement exhibits key properties that enhance its utility in isogeometric analysis: it reduces element sizes in targeted regions to promote convergence toward the exact solution, as finer discretization captures higher-frequency solution components more accurately. Crucially, the process maintains exact geometric fidelity, as the inserted knots do not alter the underlying NURBS or B-spline representation of the domain. Additionally, the refinement ensures nesting of solution spaces, meaning the coarser space is a subset of the finer one, which supports adaptive and iterative solution strategies without loss of prior approximations.

p-refinement

In isogeometric analysis (IGA), p-refinement refers to the process of increasing the polynomial degree p of the basis functions, typically B-splines or NURBS, to enhance the approximation order without refining the mesh or altering the underlying geometry. This technique elevates the degree through direct elevation methods that expand the function space while preserving the exact parametric representation of the domain.^[22] Direct elevation methods compute new control points as convex combinations of the original ones, resulting in a higher-order space with one additional basis function per dimension. This process yields smoother basis functions with higher continuity, as the elevated degree allows for C^{p-1} inter-element continuity in the absence of repeated knots. A key aspect of degree elevation is the recursive expression for the elevated basis functions, which blends two lower-degree functions:

N_{i,p+1}(\xi) = \alpha_{i,p}(\xi) \, N_{i,p}(\xi) + (1 - \alpha_{i,p}(\xi)) \, N_{i-1,p}(\xi),

where the blending function is defined as

\alpha_{i,p}(\xi) = \frac{\xi - \xi_i}{\xi_{i+p+1} - \xi_i}

for \xi_i \leq \xi < \xi_{i+p+1}, assuming a non-degenerate knot vector. This formulation ensures the elevated curve coincides with the original while expanding the solution space to include it.^[22] p-refinement exhibits exponential convergence rates for sufficiently smooth solutions, outperforming low-order methods in accuracy per degree of freedom. However, it incurs higher computational cost per element due to the increased polynomial degree, which raises the complexity of evaluating basis functions and quadrature. As a complement to h-refinement, which reduces element size, p-refinement prioritizes order increase for targeted accuracy gains.

k-refinement and hierarchical approaches

k-refinement in isogeometric analysis (IGA) involves simultaneously elevating the polynomial order of the basis functions and inserting knots to refine the mesh while preserving the exact geometry representation.^[23] This strategy, introduced as an alternative to separate h- and p-refinements, allows for higher-order approximations with controlled inter-element continuity.^[23] By increasing the multiplicity of knots at element interfaces, k-refinement can reduce the continuity from the inherent high smoothness of B-splines or NURBS (typically C^{p-1}) to lower levels, such as C^0, mimicking traditional finite element analysis behavior when needed.^[24] For instance, in problems requiring discontinuous solutions or sharp gradients, elevating the order to p and inserting knots with multiplicity p at interfaces achieves C^0 continuity without altering the parametric domain.^[24] Hierarchical approaches in IGA extend refinement capabilities by constructing nested spline spaces that enable local adaptivity, addressing the limitations of tensor-product meshes where refinement propagates globally.^[25] Hierarchical B-splines, introduced as overlapping subspaces built level-by-level, allow refinement in selected regions by overlaying finer meshes on coarser ones, minimizing the increase in degrees of freedom.^[25] This structure supports efficient hpk-refinement strategies, particularly useful for capturing singularities or localized features in solutions, such as stress concentrations in structural mechanics.^[25] To ensure numerical stability and partition of unity, truncation mechanisms are applied, yielding truncated hierarchical B-splines (THB-splines) that reduce the support of basis functions and improve conditioning. These truncated bases maintain the approximation properties of hierarchical splines while enhancing computational efficiency. Locally refined B-splines (LR B-splines), a variant of hierarchical methods, facilitate refinement over arbitrary T-meshes suitable for trimmed or complex domains by selectively inserting knot lines without global tensor-product constraints.^[26] LR B-splines enable adaptivity for singularities by allowing non-overlapping supports in refined areas, promoting linear independence and optimal convergence rates in IGA applications. Introduced around 2010 to support efficient combined h-p-k refinement, these hierarchical techniques have seen advancements in the 2020s, including THB-splines integrated with reduced basis methods for parametric problems, reducing computational costs in multiphysics simulations.^[27]

Advantages over traditional methods

Enhanced geometric fidelity

Isogeometric analysis (IGA) leverages Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS) to represent the geometry of domains exactly, including conic sections and other rational curves, in contrast to traditional finite element analysis (FEA), which approximates curved boundaries using linear or low-order facets. This approximation in FEA introduces geometric pollution errors, where the discretized model deviates from the true geometry, leading to inaccuracies that persist even as the mesh is refined, particularly in problems involving curved domains. In IGA, the exact geometric representation eliminates such pollution, ensuring that the computational domain matches the physical one at all refinement levels, thereby enhancing overall simulation fidelity. The precise geometric description in IGA has significant impacts on numerical analysis, notably reducing phenomena like shear and membrane locking in thin or curved structures, where FEA often overestimates stiffness due to inexact boundary representations. Additionally, IGA facilitates superior enforcement of boundary conditions, as the exact geometry allows for precise application of Dirichlet conditions without interpolation errors inherent in FEA's faceted approximations. These advantages stem from the seamless integration of CAD geometry into the analysis framework, avoiding the need for geometry-to-mesh translation steps that can compound errors in conventional workflows. Studies demonstrate that IGA achieves faster convergence in simulations of curved domains compared to FEA; for instance, in benchmarks involving pressurized cylindrical shells, FEA exhibits over-stiffening and slower error reduction due to geometric inaccuracies, while IGA maintains accurate stress concentrations and boundary layers from coarse meshes. A key metric highlighting this is the relative error in strain energy, which in IGA decreases more rapidly with refinement—often at optimal rates of order p+1 for polynomial degree p—owing to the absence of geometric approximation, as opposed to FEA where geometric errors create a convergence bottleneck.

Higher-order continuity and accuracy

In isogeometric analysis (IGA), Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS) basis functions of degree p provide C^{p-1} inter-element continuity, a significant advancement over the C^0 continuity inherent in traditional Lagrange-based finite element analysis (FEA). This higher smoothness across element interfaces stems from the knot vector structure of NURBS, where continuity is determined by the multiplicity of knots; single knots yield C^{p-1} continuity, enabling seamless representation of higher-order derivatives without discontinuities. In contrast, C^0 FEA requires specialized elements or post-processing to approximate higher derivatives, often leading to reduced accuracy in problems involving smooth fields. The elevated continuity in IGA facilitates reduced quadrature schemes, such as the "half-point rule," which employs roughly half the Gaussian quadrature points per direction compared to C^0 methods, while maintaining exact integration for polynomial terms up to degree $2p-1. This efficiency minimizes computational cost and avoids variational crimes—errors arising from inexact geometry or integration—that plague under-integrated C^0 FEA, particularly for higher-order approximations. For instance, numerical studies demonstrate that IGA with reduced quadrature preserves stability and optimality without the oscillations or instability observed in equivalent FEA discretizations. Higher-order continuity also enhances solution accuracy, yielding spectral convergence rates for sufficiently smooth problems, where errors decay exponentially with respect to the polynomial degree p under k-refinement. This allows IGA to achieve target precision with substantially fewer degrees of freedom (DOFs) than C^0 FEA; for example, in structural vibration analyses, k-refined NURBS bases capture full modal spectra more compactly and accurately than p-refined Lagrange elements. A specific benefit arises in Kirchhoff plate theory, where cubic (p=3) NURBS deliver C^2 continuity, satisfying the C^1 requirements for direct displacement-based formulations without mixed methods or shear-locking corrections needed in many FEA approaches. Regarding convergence, h-refinement in IGA achieves optimal error bounds of O(h^{p+1}) in the L^2-norm for second-order elliptic problems, assuming sufficient solution regularity. This rate surpasses the suboptimal O(h^{p+1/2}) convergence typical in C^0 FEA for Kirchhoff-like problems using non-conforming elements, as the inherent smoothness in IGA eliminates the need for ad-hoc stabilizations that degrade rates in traditional methods.

Applications

Structural and solid mechanics

Isogeometric analysis (IGA) has been extensively applied to linear elasticity problems in structural mechanics, particularly for beams, plates, and shells, leveraging Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS) for precise geometric representation.^[28] In beam analysis, NURBS-based IGA formulations using high-order shear deformation theory enable accurate static responses without the need for post-processing from lower-order approximations, maintaining higher continuity across elements.^[29] For plates and shells, Kirchhoff-Love elements formulated within IGA provide robust solutions for thin structures, inherently supporting exact geometry and reducing discretization errors compared to traditional finite element methods.^[28] A key advantage in these applications is the avoidance of shear locking, achieved through techniques such as isogeometric collocation methods for Timoshenko beams, which ensure optimal convergence even in thick configurations without additional stabilization.^[30] In nonlinear structural mechanics and dynamics, IGA extends to large deformation problems, contact interactions, and explicit simulations, offering seamless integration with CAD models.^[31] Formulations for geometrically nonlinear shells handle finite strains and rotations using rotation-free approaches, enabling efficient analysis of buckling and post-buckling behaviors.^[32] Contact modeling in IGA benefits from the smooth basis functions of NURBS, which facilitate accurate frictionless or frictional interactions without mesh distortion issues common in finite elements.^[33] Implementations in software like LS-DYNA support explicit dynamics for crash simulations, where trimmed NURBS surfaces directly from CAD are used for vehicle components, reducing preprocessing time while maintaining simulation fidelity.^[34] A prominent application of IGA in structural mechanics involves the analysis of composite structures, where NURBS enable exact representation of curvilinear fiber paths, enhancing the modeling of anisotropic materials.^[35] For instance, in variable-stiffness composites, IGA frameworks simulate curvilinear anisotropy by parameterizing fiber trajectories directly in the design space, improving stiffness and failure predictions over straight-fiber approximations.^[36] Advancements in the 2020s have focused on integrating these methods with topology optimization for fiber-reinforced shells, allowing precise control of material orientation to optimize load-bearing capacity in aerospace and automotive parts.^[37] These developments leverage IGA's higher-order continuity for superior accuracy in anisotropic elasticity, as demonstrated in benchmarks for laminated plates under bending.^[35] Compared to traditional finite element analysis (FEA), IGA in shell problems often requires fewer degrees of freedom to achieve equivalent accuracy, due to the higher-order approximation capabilities of NURBS that exploit enhanced geometric fidelity and inter-element continuity.^[38]

Fluid dynamics and multiphysics problems

Isogeometric analysis (IGA) has been extensively applied to fluid dynamics, particularly for solving the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations, where NURBS basis functions provide high-order continuity and accurate geometric representation. To address the challenges of advection-dominated flows and enforce incompressibility, IGA formulations often incorporate variational multiscale (VMS) stabilization, which models subgrid-scale effects to suppress numerical oscillations without excessive dissipation. This approach enables robust simulations of laminar and turbulent flows, achieving higher accuracy per degree of freedom compared to traditional finite element methods. In computational aerodynamics, IGA facilitates the modeling of complex geometries such as aircraft wings and wind turbine blades, leveraging exact CAD representations to minimize geometric errors that can propagate into flow predictions. For instance, simulations of flow around offshore wind turbines demonstrate reduced drag prediction errors and improved resolution of boundary layers due to the smooth basis functions. Similarly, in cardiovascular applications, IGA accurately captures pulsatile blood flow in patient-specific arterial geometries derived from medical imaging, yielding pressure and velocity fields that align closely with experimental data. These capabilities stem from the method's ability to maintain higher-order accuracy even on coarse meshes, with convergence rates approaching optimal for smooth solutions. For multiphysics problems, IGA's unified framework is particularly advantageous in fluid-structure interaction (FSI), where the same basis functions discretize both fluid and solid domains, simplifying interface coupling and data transfer. In arterial blood flow modeling, IGA couples incompressible Navier-Stokes equations in an arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) framework with nonlinear elasticity for vessel walls, enabling simulations of large deformations with minimal remeshing. This results in tip deflections and wall stresses that closely match benchmarks, outperforming low-order finite elements in capturing wave propagation and vortex shedding. Extensions to non-matching meshes using T-splines for structures and NURBS for fluids further enhance flexibility for industrial applications like wind turbine rotors, where FSI reveals dynamic instabilities not evident in uncoupled analyses. Beyond FSI, IGA supports multiphysics simulations involving fluids coupled with electromagnetics, such as magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) flows in fusion reactors, where divergence-free bases ensure solenoidality of magnetic fields alongside incompressibility. In these cases, the method's high continuity reduces interface artifacts, achieving stable solutions for high Reynolds and Hartmann numbers with fewer elements than conventional discretizations. Overall, IGA's integration of geometry and physics promotes efficient, high-fidelity multiphysics modeling in engineering contexts requiring precise flow-structure interactions.

References

[1]
Isogeometric analysis: CAD, finite elements, NURBS, exact ...
In this paper we introduce a new method for the analysis of problems governed by partial differential equations such as, for example, solids, structures and ...
[2]
https://arxiv.org/pdf/1205.2129.pdf
[3]
Isogeometric analysis: An overview and computer implementation ...
Isogeometric analysis (IGA) represents a recently developed technology in computational mechanics that offers the possibility of integrating methods for ...
[4]
None
Summary of each segment:
[5]
Thomas J.R. Hughes - University of Texas at Austin
Jul 14, 2021 · Isogeometric analysis provides a unique geometric foundation to product development, from design through analysis. In the few years since its ...
[6]
‪Thomas JR Hughes‬ - ‪Google Scholar‬
Isogeometric analysis: CAD, finite elements, NURBS, exact geometry and mesh refinement. TJR Hughes, JA Cottrell, Y Bazilevs. Computer methods in applied ...
[7]
Presentation given by Yongjie (Jessica) Zhang - andrew.cmu.ed
September 17-20, 2006. Talk; Y. Bazilevs, V. M. Calo, A. J. Cottrell, T. J.R. Hughes, Y. Zhang. Isogeometric Analysis: Geometry Considerations in Analysis.<|control11|><|separator|>
[8]
[PDF] Studies of Refinement and Continuity in Isogeometric Structural ...
Jan 26, 2007 · We investigate the effects of smoothness of basis functions on solution accuracy within the isogeometric analysis framework.Missing: 2007-2010 | Show results with:2007-2010
[9]
[PDF] Isogeometric Analysis in LS-DYNA R13 - Dynalook
This paper presents an overview about the analysis possibilities using IGA elements in LS-DYNA.
[10]
https://www.oden.utexas.edu/media/reports/2007/0705.pdf
[11]
[PDF] On NURBS: a survey - IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications
It is easy to show that NURBS are invariant under affine transformations: plane. The corresponding projective “point” R is represented by a direction and is ...Missing: covariance refinement exact
[12]
[PDF] Isogeometric Analysis of Structural Vibrations - Oden Institute
Jul 21, 2005 · • The continuity and supports of NURBS basis functions are the same as for B- splines. • NURBS possess the property of affine covariance. • ...
[13]
Isogeometric analysis of trimmed NURBS geometries - ScienceDirect
A methodology is presented which enables isogeometric analysis on trimmed NURBS surfaces. The general limitations of NURBS-based isogeometric analysis are ...
[14]
Overlapping multi-patch structures in isogeometric analysis
In isogeometric analysis (IGA) the domain of interest is usually represented by B-spline or NURBS patches, as they are present in standard CAD models.
[15]
Efficient quadrature for NURBS-based isogeometric analysis
Hughes et al. Isogeometric analysis: CAD, finite elements, NURBS, exact geometry, and mesh refinement. Comput. Methods Appl. Mech. Engrg. (2005). T.J.R. ...
[16]
CAD, finite elements, NURBS, exact geometry and mesh refinement
In this paper we introduce a new method for the analysis of problems governed by partial differential equations such as, for example, solids, structures and ...
[17]
Studies of refinement and continuity in isogeometric structural analysis
We investigate the effects of smoothness of basis functions on solution accuracy within the isogeometric analysis framework.Missing: elevation seminal
[18]
A hierarchical approach to adaptive local refinement in isogeometric ...
A hierarchical approach to adaptive local refinement in isogeometric analysis. Author links open overlay panel. A.-V. Vuong a , C. Giannelli b , B. Jüttler b
[19]
[PDF] Locally refined splines - SINTEF
NonUniform rational B-splines can represent elementary curves and surfaces exactly. (Circle, ellipse, cylinder, cone )… ▫ Efficient and stable methods exist ...
[20]
Mathematical Foundations of Adaptive Isogeometric Analysis
Sep 30, 2022 · This paper reviews the state of the art and discusses recent developments in the field of adaptive isogeometric analysis, with special focus ...
[21]
Isogeometric shell analysis with Kirchhoff–Love elements
Isogeometric shell analysis with Kirchhoff–Love elements. Author links open overlay panelJ. Kiendl , K.-U. Bletzinger , J. Linhard , ...
[22]
NURBS‐Based Isogeometric Analysis of Beams and Plates Using ...
Oct 7, 2013 · Isogeometric analysis (IGA) based on nonuniform rational B-splines (NURBS) is developed for static analysis of beams and plates using the ...
[23]
Avoiding shear locking for the Timoshenko beam problem via ...
In this work we study isogeometric collocation methods for the Timoshenko beam problem, considering both mixed and displacement-based formulations.
[24]
[PDF] Explicit Isogeometric B-Rep Analysis for Nonlinear Dynamic Crash ...
Dec 1, 2020 · Isogeometric Analysis (IGA) aims at integrating these fields by using a unified geometry description, in particular the CAD description based on ...
[25]
A large deformation, rotation-free, isogeometric shell - ScienceDirect
A Ck-continuous, k ⩾ 1, NURBS-based isogeometric shell for large deformations formulated without rotational degrees of freedom is presented here. ... isogeometric ...
[26]
Explicit dynamic isogeometric B-Rep analysis of penalty-coupled ...
Isogeometric Analysis (IGA), established by Hughes et al. [1], has the potential to overcome these issues and to achieve a full integration of design and ...<|separator|>
[27]
[PDF] Current Status of LS-DYNA Iso-geometric Analysis in Crash Simulation
Abstract. This paper reports a current implementation of Iso-geometric Analysis (IGA) in crash simulation. Several crash critical enhancements of IGA had ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[28]
An isogeometric framework for the modeling of curvilinear ...
Jun 15, 2021 · In this study, we explored a new NURBS-based Isogeometric Analysis (IGA) framework for the simulation of curvilinear fiber composites.
[29]
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2013/159027
[30]
Isogeometric topology optimization (ITO) of fiber reinforced ...
... isogeometric analysis approach is employed to quantify the uncertainties of structural performance. To enhance the efficiency of RDO process, the ...
[31]
[PDF] Advances in IGA for Sheet Metal Forming Applications | LS-DYNA
50% of the degrees of freedom, which makes this shell formulation in particular attractive for implicit analysis. The third shell formulation is a mixture ...