A generalized particle search-locate algorithm for arbitrary grids

A generalized iterative algorithm for searching and locating particles in arbitrary meshes is presented. The algorithm uses Newton method to invert a bijective map of the mesh elements onto a reference element, together with a criterion to move from element to element in the mesh. The generality of the method is shown by explicit formulations for linear and quadratic triangular and quadrilateral elements. Numerical examples demonstrate the performance of the method as well as its higher accuracy and versatility. (C) 1997 Academic Press.