Bayesian multiscale finite element methods. Modeling missing subgrid information probabilistically

In this paper, we develop a Bayesian multiscale approach based on a multiscale finite element method. Because of scale disparity in many multiscale applications, computational models cannot resolve all scales. Various subgrid models are proposed to represent unresolved scales. Here, we consider a probabilistic approach for modeling unresolved scales using the multiscale finite element method [cf., Chkrebtii et al., Bayesian Anal., vol. 11, no. 4, pp. 1239–1267, 2016; Mallick et al., Bayesian Anal., vol. 11, no. 4, p. 1279, 2016]. By representing dominant modes using the generalized multiscale finite element, we propose a Bayesian framework, which provides multiple inexpensive (computable) solutions for a deterministic problem. These approximate probabilistic solutions may not be very close to the exact solutions and, thus, many realizations are needed. In this way, we obtain a rigorous probabilistic description of approximate solutions. In the paper, we consider parabolic and wave equations in heterogeneous media. In each time interval, the domain is divided into subregions. Using residual information, we design appropriate prior and posterior distributions. The likelihood consists of the residual minimization. To sample from the resulting posterior distribution, we consider several sampling strategies. The sampling involves identifying important regions and important degrees of freedom beyond permanent basis functions, which are used in residual computation. Numerical results are presented. We consider two sampling algorithms. The first algorithm uses sequential sampling and is inexpensive. In the second algorithm, we perform full sampling using the Gibbs sampling algorithm, which is more accurate compared to the sequential sampling. The main novel ingredients of our approach consist of: defining appropriate permanent basis functions and the corresponding residual; setting up a proper posterior distribution; and sampling the posteriors.