| Abstract: | In general Stokes problems, no boundary conditions exist for the pressure. But pressure is an L2(Ω) function and can uniquely be represented as the divergence of a precisely defined vector field. In the 2-D case, this vector field can in turn be represented as the sum of a gradient (of a pressure-potential) and the curl of a second scalar potential. The latter potential is entirely determined by the first one. A variational equation is obtained for such pressure potential class, which exists and is uniquely characterized. This variational problem is well-posed. Finite element approximations can easily be realized and ensure high convergence rates for the L2(Ω) norm of the pressure. |
