Quasi-Norm interpolation error estimates for the piecewise linear finite element approximation of p-Laplacian problems

Summary. In this work, new interpolation error estimates have been derived for some well-known interpolators in the quasi-norms. The estimates are found to be essential to obtain the optimal a priori error bounds under the weakened regularity conditions for the piecewise linear finite element approximation of a class of degenerate equations. In particular, by using these estimates, we can close the existing gap between the regularity required for deriving the optimal error bounds and the regularity achievable for the smooth data for the 2-d and 3-d p-Laplacian.Mathematics Subject Classification (1991): 65N30     

Die Integralkurven einer gewöhnlichen Differentialgleichung erster Ordnung in der Umgebung rationaler Unbestimmtheitsstellen

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

H-Splittings and two-stage iterative methods

Summary Convergence of two-stage iterative methods for the solution of linear systems is studied. Convergence of the non-stationary method is shown if the number of inner iterations becomes sufficiently large. TheR ₁-factor of the two-stage method is related to the spectral radius of the iteration matrix of the outer splitting. Convergence is further studied for splittings ofH-matrices. These matrices are not necessarily monotone. Conditions on the splittings are given so that the two-stage method is convergent for any number of inner iterations.This work was supported in part by a Temple University Summer Research Fellowship.     

The Effect of Solvation in Conducting Polymers

The incorporation of solvent molecules into solid-state organic conductors affects both electrical and mechanical properties of the conducting complexes. Evidence for this has been appearing from the numerous laboratories currently involved in conducting polymer research. On compiling these examples, common rationale for the observed effects can be formulated based largely on the behavior of smaller molecules as found in the organic literature. Nonetheless, the examples must be considered on a case-to-case basis. In assigning the source of solvent effects, the determination of whether solvation is occurring on the charged polymer backbone or on the (oppositely charged) dopant counterion is critical. Among the proposed causes of solvent effects are solvent-separated ion pairing, charge depinning, and plasticization.     

The diffraction of sound by an impedance sphere in the vicinity of a ground surface

The problem of sound diffraction by an absorbing sphere due to a monopole point source was investigated. The theoretical models were extended to consider the case of sound diffraction by an absorbing sphere with a locally reacting boundary or an extended reaction boundary placed above an outdoor ground surface of finite impedance. The separation of variables techniques and appropriate wave field expansions were used to derive the analytical solutions. By adopting an image method, the solutions could be formulated to account for the multiple scattering of sound between the sphere and its image near a flat acoustically hard or an impedance ground. The effect of ground on the reflected sound fields was incorporated in the theoretical model by employing an approximate analytical solution known as the Weyl-van der Pol formula. An approximation solution was suggested to determine the scattering coefficients from a set of linearly coupled complex equations for an absorbing sphere not too close to the ground. The approximate method substantially reduced the computational time for calculating the sound field. Preliminary measurements were conducted to characterize the acoustical properties of an absorbing sphere made of open cell polyurethane foam. Subsequent experiments were carried out to demonstrate the validity of the proposed theoretical models for various source/receiver configurations around the sphere above an acoustically hard ground and an impedance ground. Satisfactory comparative results were obtained between the theoretical predictions and experimental data. It was found that the theoretical predictions derived from the approximate solution agreed well with the results obtained by using the exact solutions.     

Algebraic theory of multiplicative Schwarz methods

The convergence of multiplicative Schwarz-type methods for solving linear systems when the coefficient matrix is either a nonsingular M-matrix or a symmetric positive definite matrix is studied using classical and new results from the theory of splittings. The effect on convergence of algorithmic parameters such as the number of subdomains, the amount of overlap, the result of inexact local solves and of “coarse grid” corrections (global coarse solves) is analyzed in an algebraic setting. Results on algebraic additive Schwarz are also included.     

Asynchronous Richardson iterations: theory and practice

Numerical Algorithms - We consider asynchronous versions of the first- and second-order Richardson methods for solving linear systems of equations. These methods depend on parameters whose values...