A finite element convergence study for shear‐thinning flow problems

Abstract The solution of the non‐linear set of equations arising from the application of the finite element method to non‐Newtonian fluid flow problems often requires large amounts of computer time. Four iteration schemes (Picard, Newton‐Raphson, Broyden and Dominant Eigenvalue method) are compared in three different flow geometries using a shear‐thinning fluid model. Points of comparison involve the computer time necessary to converge the equations, ease of implementation, radius of convergence and rate of convergence.