On the verification of model reduction methods based on the proper generalized decomposition

In this work, we introduce a consistent error estimator for numerical simulations performed by means of the proper generalized decomposition (PGD) approximation. This estimator, which is based on the constitutive relation error, enables to capture all error sources (i.e. those coming from space and time numerical discretizations, from the truncation of the PGD decomposition, etc.) and leads to guaranteed bounds on the exact error. The specificity of the associated method is a double approach, i.e. a kinematic approach and a unusual static approach, for solving the parameterized problem by means of PGD. This last approach makes straightforward the computation of a statically admissible solution, which is necessary for robust error estimation. An attractive feature of the error estimator we set up is that it is obtained by means of classical procedures available in finite element codes: it thus represents a practical and relevant tool for driving algorithms carried out in PGD, being possibly used as a stopping criterion or as an adaptation indicator. Numerical experiments on transient thermal problems illustrate the performances of the proposed method for global error estimation. (c) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.