This paper describes two predictive load balancing schemes designed for use with parallel adaptive finite element methods. We also provide an overview of data structures suitable for distributed storage of finite element mesh data as well as software designed for mesh adaptation and load balancing. During the course of a parallel computation, processor load imbalances are introduced at adaptive enrichment steps. The predictive load balancing methods introduced here use a priori estimates of work load for adaptive refinement and subsequent computation to improve enrichment efficiency and reduce total balancing time. These components have been used to build a system for solving compressible flow problems. Computational results on an IBM SP2 computer are presented for transient solutions of the three-dimensional Euler equations of compressible flow.
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