Mixed FEM of higher-order for a frictional contact problem

This paper presents mixed finite element methods of higher-order for an idealized frictional contact problem in linear elasticity. The approach relies on a saddle point formulation where the frictional contact condition is captured by a Lagrange multiplier. The convergence of the mixed scheme is proven and some a priori estimates for the h- and p-method are derived. Furthermore, a posteriori error estimates are presented which rely on the estimation of the discretization error of an auxiliary problem and some further terms capturing the error in the friction and complementary conditions. Numerical results confirm the applicability of the a posteriori error estimates within h- and hp-adaptive schemes. (© 2011 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Quasi-norm a priori and a posteriori error estimates for the nonconforming approximation of p-Laplacian

Summary. In this paper, we derive quasi-norm a priori and a posteriori error estimates for the Crouzeix-Raviart type finite element approximation of the p-Laplacian. Sharper a priori upper error bounds are obtained. For instance, for sufficiently regular solutions we prove optimal a priori error bounds on the discretization error in an energy norm when . We also show that the new a posteriori error estimates provide improved upper and lower bounds on the discretization error. For sufficiently regular solutions, the a posteriori error estimates are further shown to be equivalent on the discretization error in a quasi-norm. Received January 25, 1999 / Revised version received June 5, 2000 Published online March 20, 2001     

Mixed Discontinuous Galerkin Time-Stepping Method for Linear Parabolic Optimal Control Problems

In this paper, we discuss the mixed discontinuous Galerkin (DG) finite element approximation to linear parabolic optimal control problems. For the state variables and the co-state variables, the discontinuous finite element method is used for the time discretization and the Raviart-Thomas mixed finite element method is used for the space discretization. We do not discretize the space of admissible control but implicitly utilize the relation between co-state and control for the discretization of the control. We derive a priori error estimates for the lowest order mixed DG finite element approximation. Moveover, for the element of arbitrary order in space and time, we derive a posteriori $L^2(0, T ;L^2(Ω))$ error estimates for the scalar functions, assuming that only the underlying mesh is static. Finally, we present an example to confirm the theoretical result on a priori error estimates.     

Approximation d'un problème de l'élasticité non linéaire par une méthode d'éléments finis mixtes

In this Note we introduce a new three field mixed formulation to approximate the solution of a nonlinear elasticity problem based on the Raviart–Thomas type elements. The existence and uniqueness of solutions of the mixed formulation and its discretization are proved and optimal error estimates are derived.     

A posteriori error estimates of mixed DG finite element methods for linear parabolic equations

In this article, we analyse a posteriori error estimates of mixed finite element discretizations for linear parabolic equations. The space discretization is done using the order λ?≥?1 Raviart–Thomas mixed finite elements, whereas the time discretization is based on discontinuous Galerkin (DG) methods (r?≥?1). Using the duality argument, we derive a posteriori l ^∞(L ²) error estimates for the scalar function, assuming that only the underlying mesh is static.     

On the a posteriori estimates for inverse operators of linear parabolic equations with applications to the numerical enclosure of solutions for nonlinear problems

We consider the guaranteed a posteriori estimates for the inverse parabolic operators with homogeneous initial-boundary conditions. Our estimation technique uses a full-discrete numerical scheme, which is based on the Galerkin method with an interpolation in time by using the fundamental solution for semidiscretization in space. In our technique, the constructive a priori error estimates for a full discretization of solutions for the heat equation play an essential role. Combining these estimates with an argument for the discretized inverse operator and a contraction property of the Newton-type formulation, we derive an a posteriori estimate of the norm for the infinite-dimensional operator. In numerical examples, we show that the proposed method should be more efficient than the existing method. Moreover, as an application, we give some prototype results for numerical verification of solutions of nonlinear parabolic problems, which confirm the actual usefulness of our technique.     

A posteriori error analysis for the normal compliance problem

In this work, a contact problem between a linear elastic material and a deformable obstacle is numerically analyzed. The contact is modeled using the well-known normal compliance contact condition. The weak formulation leads to a nonlinear variational equation which is approximated by using the finite element method. A priori error estimates are recalled. Then, we define an a posteriori error estimator of residual type to evaluate the accuracy of the finite element approximation of the problem. Upper and lower bounds of the discretization error are proved for this estimator.     

Galerkin and Runge–Kutta methods: unified formulation,a posteriori error estimates and nodal superconvergence

We unify the formulation and analysis of Galerkin and Runge–Kutta methods for the time discretization of parabolic equations. This, together with the concept of reconstruction of the approximate solutions, allows us to establish a posteriori superconvergence estimates for the error at the nodes for all methods.     

Discontinuous Galerkin finite element method for a nonlinear boundary value problem

In this paper, we investigate the a priori and a posteriori error estimates for the discontinuous Galerkin finite element approximation to a regularization version of the variational inequality of the second kind. We show the optimal error estimates in the DG-norm （stronger than the H1 norm） and the L2 norm, respectively. Furthermore, some residual-based a posteriori error estimators are established which provide global upper bounds and local lower bounds on the discretization error. These a posteriori analysis results can be applied to develop the adaptive DG methods.     

High-order adaptive finite element-singly implicit Runge-Kutta methods for parabolic differential equations

We describe an adaptive mesh refinement finite element method-of-lines procedure for solving one-dimensional parabolic partial differential equations. Solutions are calculated using Galerkin's method with a piecewise hierarchical polynomial basis in space and singly implicit Runge-Kutta (SIRK) methods in time. A modified SIRK formulation eliminates a linear systems solution that is required by the traditional SIRK formulation and leads to a new reduced-order interpolation formula. Stability and temporal error estimation techniques allow acceptance of approximate solutions at intermediate stages, yielding increased efficiency when solving partial differential equations. A priori energy estimates of the local discretization error are obtained for a nonlinear scalar problem. A posteriori estimates of local spatial discretization errors, obtained by order variation, are used with the a priori error estimates to control the adaptive mesh refinement strategy. Computational results suggest convergence of the a posteriori error estimate to the exact discretization error and verify the utility of the adaptive technique.This research was partially supported by the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Air Force Systems Command, USAF, under Grant Number AFOSR-90-0194; the U.S. Army Research Office under Contract Number DAAL 03-91-G-0215; by the National Science Foundation under Grant Number CDA-8805910; and by a grant from the Committee on Research, Tulane University.     

Superconvergence of mixed finite element semi-discretizations of two time-dependent problems

We will show that some of the superconvergence properties for the mixed finite element method for elliptic problems are preserved in the mixed semi-discretizations for a diffusion equation and for a Maxwell equation in two space dimensions. With the help of mixed elliptic projection we will present estimates global and pointwise in time. The results for the Maxwell equations form an extension of existing results. For both problems, our results imply that post-processing and a posteriori error estimation for the error in the space discretization can be performed in the same way as for the underlying elliptic problem.     

A posteriori error estimates for a finite element discretization of interior point methods for an elliptic optimization problem with state constraints

In this paper we are concerned with a posteriori error estimates for the solution of some state constraint optimization problem subject to an elliptic PDE. The solution is obtained using an interior point method combined with a finite element method for the discretization of the problem. We will derive separate estimates for the error in the cost functional introduced by the interior point parameter and by the discretization of the problem. Finally we show numerical examples to illustrate the findings for pointwise state constraints and pointwise constraints on the gradient of the state.     

Numerical analysis of the primal problem of elastoplasticity with hardening

Summary. The finite element method is a reasonable and frequently utilised tool for the spatial discretization within one time-step in an elastoplastic evolution problem. In this paper, we analyse the finite element discretization and prove a priori and a posteriori error estimates for variational inequalities corresponding to the primal formulation of (Hencky) plasticity. The finite element method of lowest order consists in minimising a convex function on a subspace of continuous piecewise linear resp. piecewise constant trial functions. An a priori error estimate is established for the fully-discrete method which shows linear convergence as the mesh-size tends to zero, provided the exact displacement field u is smooth. Near the boundary of the plastic domain, which is unknown a priori, it is most likely that u is non-smooth. In this situation, automatic mesh-refinement strategies are believed to improve the quality of the finite element approximation. We suggest such an adaptive algorithm on the basis of a computable a posteriori error estimate. This estimate is reliable and efficient in the sense that the quotient of the error by the estimate and its inverse are bounded from above. The constants depend on the hardening involved and become larger for decreasing hardening. Received May 7, 1997 / Revised version received August 31, 1998     

A posteriori error estimates for mixed finite element approximations of parabolic problems

We derive residual based a posteriori error estimates for parabolic problems on mixed form solved using Raviart–Thomas–Nedelec finite elements in space and backward Euler in time. The error norm considered is the flux part of the energy, i.e. weighted L ²(Ω) norm integrated over time. In order to get an optimal order bound, an elementwise computable post-processed approximation of the scalar variable needs to be used. This is a common technique used for elliptic problems. The final bound consists of terms, capturing the spatial discretization error and the time discretization error and can be used to drive an adaptive algorithm.     

A posteriori FE error control for p-Laplacian by gradient recovery in quasi-norm

A posteriori error estimators based on quasi-norm gradient recovery are established for the finite element approximation of the p-Laplacian on unstructured meshes. The new a posteriori error estimators provide both upper and lower bounds in the quasi-norm for the discretization error. The main tools for the proofs of reliability are approximation error estimates for a local approximation operator in the quasi-norm.

     

Fully Discrete Error Estimation by the Method of Lines for a Nonlinear Parabolic Problem

A posteriori error estimates for a nonlinear parabolic problem are introduced. A fully discrete scheme is studied. The space discretization is based on a concept of hierarchical finite element basis functions. The time discretization is done using singly implicit Runge-Kutta method (SIRK). The convergence of the effectivity index is proven.     

An augmented mixed finite element method with Lagrange multipliers: A priori and a posteriori error analyses

In this paper, we provide a priori and a posteriori error analyses of an augmented mixed finite element method with Lagrange multipliers applied to elliptic equations in divergence form with mixed boundary conditions. The augmented scheme is obtained by including the Galerkin least-squares terms arising from the constitutive and equilibrium equations. We use the classical Babuška–Brezzi theory to show that the resulting dual-mixed variational formulation and its Galerkin scheme defined with Raviart–Thomas spaces are well posed, and also to derive the corresponding a priori error estimates and rates of convergence. Then, we develop a reliable and efficient residual-based a posteriori error estimate and a reliable and quasi-efficient Ritz projection-based one, as well. Finally, several numerical results illustrating the performance of the augmented scheme and the associated adaptive algorithms are reported.     

Recovery Type a Posteriori Error Estimates of Fully Discrete Finite Element Methods for General Convex Parabolic Optimal Control Problems

This paper is concerned with recovery type a posteriori error estimates of fully discrete finite element approximation for general convex parabolic optimal control problems with pointwise control constraints. The time discretization is based on the backward Euler method. The state and the adjoint state are approximated by piecewise linear functions and the control is approximated by piecewise constant functions. We derive the superconvergence properties of finite element solutions. By using the superconvergence results, we obtain recovery type a posteriori error estimates. Some numerical examples are presented to verify the theoretical results.     

Elliptic Reconstruction and a Posteriori Error Estimates for Fully Discrete Semilinear Parabolic Optimal Control Problems

This article studies a posteriori error analysis of fully discrete finite element approximations for semilinear parabolic optimal control problems. Based on elliptic reconstruction approach introduced earlier by Makridakis and Nochetto [25], a residual based a posteriori error estimators for the state, co-state and control variables are derived. The space discretization of the state and co-state variables is done by using the piecewise linear and continuous finite elements, whereas the piecewise constant functions are employed for the control variable. The temporal discretization is based on the backward Euler method. We derive a posteriori error estimates for the state, co-state and control variables in the $L^\infty(0,T;L^2(\Omega))$-norm. Finally, a numerical experiment is performed to illustrate the performance of the derived estimators.     

A posteriori error analysis for solving the Navier‐Stokes problem and convection‐diffusion equation

In this article, we consider the finite element discretization of the Navier‐Stokes problem coupled with convection‐diffusion equations where both the viscosity and the diffusion coefficients depend on the temperature. Existence and uniqueness of a solution are established. We prove a posteriori error estimates.