[petsc-users] -snes_fd for problems with residuals with non-continuous first derivative?

[Maximilian Hartig]

Hello,

I’m trying to implement plasticity and have problems getting the Petsc SNES to converge. To check if my residual formulation is correct I tried running with -snes_fd for an easy example as the Petsc FAQ suggest. I cannot seem to get the solver to converge at any cost.
I already tried to impose bounds on the solution and moved to vinewtonrsls as a nonlinear solver. I checked and rechecked my residuals but I do not find an error there. I now have the suspicion that the -snes_fd option is not made for handling residuals who’s first derivatives are not continuous (e.g. have an “if” condition in them for the plasticity/ flow-condition). Can you confirm my suspicion? And is there another way to test my residual formulation separate from my hand-coded jacobian?


Thanks,
Max