On a space-time implementation of the wave equation using virtual elements

Abstract The virtual element method (VEM) was developed not too long ago, starting with the paper (Beirão-da-Veiga et al. in SIAM J Numer Anal 51:794–812, 2013) related to elasticity in solid mechanics. The virtual element method allows to revisit the construction of different elements, however has so far not applied to space-time formulations for one-dimensional structural elements like strings, trusses and beams. Here we study several VEM elements suitable for space-time formulations that are build upon the Hamilton’s principle. It will be shown that these elements can be easily incorporated in classical finite element codes since they have the same number of unknowns. Furthermore, we show that the property of VEM to deal with non-conforming meshes is of special interest for holistic space time formulation: VEM formulations allow locally varying time discretizations (time increments) in a natural and efficient way.