Finite-element methods for singularly perturbed high-order elliptic two-point boundary value problems. I: reaction-diffusion-type problems

We consider singularly perturbed high-order elliptic two-pointboundary value problems of reaction-diffusion type. It is shownthat, on an equidistant mesh, polynomial schemes cannot achievea high order of convergence that is uniform in the perturbationparameter. Piecewise polynomial Galerkin finite-element methodsare then constructed on a Shishkin mesh. Almost optimal convergenceresults, which are uniform in the perturbation parameter, areobtained in various norms. Numerical results are presented fora fourth-order problem. e-mail address: stynes{at}bureau.ucc.ie.