Each computer participating in the solution to the problem is then assigned one or more of these blocks. Using a solver, the relevant flow variables are solved for over each block. Figure 2 illustrates the concept of distributing each block to a different processor. The method employed here relies on the concept of graph partitioning. There are two types of elements generated.
Block elements are elements that belong only to one block.
However since some elements lie on the boundary between two or more blocks, interface elements are generated which overlap adjacent blocks. These interface elements generally have one or more of their nodes in neighboring blocks. Once the elements are partitioned, the next task to complete is generating interfaces on the boundary between two blocks. The interface is defined as the set of nodes from interface elements that are common to a block and its neighbor. These interfaces are needed for communication between blocks during the solution process.