p Method of Refinement In the p method of refinement [2428], the polynomial p is

increased from perhaps quadratic to a higher-order polynomial based on the degree

of accuracy specified by the user. In the p method of refinement, the p method
adjusts
the order of the polynomial or the p level to better fit the conditions of the problem,
such as the boundary conditions, the loading, and the geometry changes. A problem
is solved at a given p level, and then the order of the polynomial is normally
increased
while the element geometry remains the same and the problem is solved again. The
results of the iterations are compared to some set of convergence criteria specified
by
the user. Higher-order polynomials normally yield better solutions. This iteration
process
is done automatically within the computer program. Therefore, the user does not
need to manually change the size of elements by creating a finer mesh, as must be
done in the h method. (The h refinement can be automated using a remeshing
algorithm
within the finite element software.) Depending on the problem, a coarse mesh
will often yield acceptable results. An extensive discussion of error indicators and
estimates
is given in the literature [19].
The p refinement may consist of adding degrees of freedom to existing nodes,
adding nodes on existing boundaries between elements, and/or adding internal
degrees
of freedom. A uniform p refinement (same refinement performed on all elements) is
shown in Figure 77d. One of the more common commercial computer programs,
Pro/MECHANICA [29], uses the p method exclusively. A typical discretized finite
element
model of a pulley using Pro/MECHANICA is shown in Figure 77e.