Abstract:
Based on a method that is related to the mortar finite element method, a domain subdivision method was developed which can be used towards the goal of a real-time simulation of the vocal tract. Previous work [R. Wilhelms-Tricarico, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 97, 3085--3098 (1995)] on simulation of soft tissue for speech production research has resulted in rather slow algorithms that are not very suitable for implementation in parallel multiprocessor machines. A new formulation uses finite elements with quadratic interpolation of the displacement and velocity fields as well as four pressure variables per element, to approximate tissue incompressibility. This formulation is combined with a domain subdivision method that is designed to implement the simulation algorithm on a multi-processor computer such as CM5. The interaction between the various connected domains is achieved by an augmented Lagrangian method. [Work supported by NIH.]