A priori error estimates in the finite element method for nonself-adjoint elliptic and parabolic interface problems

Abstract We derive a priori error estimates in the finite element method for nonselfadjoint elliptic and parabolic interface problems in a two-dimensional convex polygonal domain. Optimal H ¹-norm and sub-optimal L ²-norm error estimates are obtained for elliptic interface problems. For parabolic interface problems, the continuous-time Galerkin method is analyzed and an optimal order error estimate in the L ²(0,T;H ¹)-norm is established. Further, a discrete-in-time discontinuous Galerkin method is discussed and a related optimal error estimate is obtained. Keywords: Elliptic and parabolic interface problems, finite element method, spatially discrete scheme, discontinuous Galerkin method, error estimates Mathematics Subject Classification (1991): 65N15, 65N20     

A priori error estimates of a meshless method for optimal control problems of stochastic elliptic PDEs

In this paper, we study the optimal control problems of stochastic elliptic equations with random field in its coefficients. The main contributions of this work are two aspects. Firstly, a meshless method coupled with the stochastic Galerkin method is investigated to approximate the control problems, which is competitive for high-dimensional random inputs. Secondly, a priori error estimates are derived for the solutions to the control problems. Some numerical tests are carried out to confirm the theoretical results and to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed method.     

A priori and a posteriori error estimates for the method of lumped masses for parabolic optimal control problems

In this paper, we examine the method of lumped masses for the approximation of convex optimal control problems governed by linear parabolic equations, where the lumped mass method is used for the discretization of the state equation. We derive some a priori and a posteriori error estimates for both the state and control approximations with control constraints of obstacle type. Numerical experiments are given to show the efficiency and reliability of the lumped mass method.     

Optimal control in non-convex domains: a priori discretization error estimates

Abstract An optimal control problem for a two-dimensional elliptic equation with pointwise control constraints is investigated. The domain is assumed to be polygonal but non-convex. The corner singularities are treated by a priori mesh grading. Approximations of the optimal solution of the continuous optimal control problem are constructed by a projection of the discrete adjoint state. It is proved that these approximations have convergence order h². Keywords Linear-quadratic optimal control problems, error estimates, elliptic equations, non-convex domains, corner singularities, control constraints, superconvergence. Mathematics Subject Classification (2000): 49K20, 49M25, 65N30, 65N50     

A priori error estimates for explicit finite element for linear elasto-dynamics by Galerkin method and central difference method

The explicit finite element method for transient dynamics of linear elasticity is formulated by using Galerkin method for space and the central difference method for time. An a priori error estimate is derived and the optimal rate of convergence for displacement similar to the linear elliptic problem is found. The error estimation is extended to velocity, internal (strain) energy and kinetic energy for engineering applications. The approximation error of initial data is analyzed. The error estimate is refined for a class of engineering applications with zero initial deformation and initial force. Examples of a 1-D rod axial vibration and a 2-D plate in-plane vibration are solved using linear elements as verification.     

A posteriori error estimates of two-grid finite volume element methods for nonlinear elliptic problems

In this paper, we study the a posteriori error estimates of two-grid finite volume element method for second-order nonlinear elliptic equations. We derive the residual-based a posteriori error estimator and prove the computable upper and lower bounds on the error in $H^1$-norm. The a posteriori error estimator can be used to assess the accuracy of the two-grid finite volume element solutions in practical applications. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate the performance of the proposed estimator.     

A posteriori error estimates for space-time finite element approximation of quasistatic hereditary linear viscoelasticity problems

We give a space-time Galerkin finite element discretisation of the quasistatic compressible linear viscoelasticity problem as described by an elliptic partial differential equation with a fading memory Volterra integral. The numerical scheme consists of a continuous Galerkin approximation in space based on piecewise polynomials of degree p>0 (cG(p)), with a discontinuous Galerkin piecewise constant (dG(0)) or linear (dG(1)) approximation in time. A posteriori Galerkin-error estimates are derived by exploiting the Galerkin framework and optimal stability estimates for a related dual backward problem. The a posteriori error estimates are quite flexible: strong L_p-energy norms of the errors are estimated using time derivatives of the residual terms when the data are smooth, while weak-energy norms are used when the data are non-smooth (in time).We also give upper bounds on the dG(0)cG(1) a posteriori error estimates which indicate optimality. However, a complete analysis is not given.     

A posteriori error estimates for discontinuous Galerkin approximation of non-stationary convection-diffusion optimal control problems

In this paper, we investigate a discontinuous Galerkin finite element approximation of non-stationary convection dominated diffusion optimal control problems with control constraints. The state variable is approximated by piecewise linear polynomial space and the control variable is discretized by variational discretization concept. Backward Euler method is used for time discretization. With the help of elliptic reconstruction technique residual type a posteriori error estimates are derived for state variable and adjoint state variable, which can be used to guide the mesh refinement in the adaptive algorithm. Numerical experiment is presented, which indicates the good behaviour of the a posteriori error estimators.     

A posteriori error estimates¶for nonconforming finite element schemes

We derive a posteriori error estimates for nonconforming discretizations of Poisson's and Stokes' equations. The estimates are residual based and make use of weight factors obtained by a duality argument. Crouzeix-Raviart elements on triangles and rotated bilinear elements are considered. The quadrilateral case involves the introduction of additional local trial functions. We show that their influence is of higher order and that they can be neglected. The validity of the estimate is demonstrated by computations for the Laplacian and for Stokes' equations. Received: November 1998 / Accepted: January 1999     

A posteriori error estimates for finite element discretizations of the heat equation

We consider discretizations of the heat equation by A-stable -schemes in time and conforming finite elements in space. For these discretizations we derive residual a posteriori error indicators. The indicators yield upper bounds on the error which are global in space and time and yield lower bounds that are global in space and local in time. The ratio between upper and lower bounds is uniformly bounded in time and does not depend on any step-size in space or time. Moreover, there is no restriction on the relation between the step-sizes in space and time.     

On a posteriori error estimates for the linear triangular finite element

Based on equilibration of side fluxes, an a posteriori error estimator is obtained for the linear triangular element for the Poisson equation, which can be computed locally. We present a procedure for constructing the estimator in which we use the Lagrange multiplier similar to the usual equilibrated residual method introduced by Ainsworth and Oden. The estimator is shown to provide guaranteed upper bound, and local lower bounds on the error up to a multiplicative constant depending only on the geometry. Based on this, we give another error estimator which can be directly constructed without solving local Neumann problems and also provide the two-sided bounds on the error. Finally, numerical tests show our error estimators are very efficient.     

Adaptive error control for multigrid finite element

We consider the problem of adaptive error control in the finite element method including the error resulting from, inexact solution of the discrete equations. We prove a posteriori error estimates for a prototype elliptic model problem discretized by the finite element with a canomical multigrid algorithm. The proofs are based on a combination of so-called strong stability and, the orthogonality inherent in both the finite element method can the multigrid algorithm.     

A review of some a posteriori error estimates for adaptive finite element methods

Recently, the adaptive finite element methods have gained a very important position among numerical procedures for solving ordinary as well as partial differential equations arising from various technical applications. While the classical a posteriori error estimates are oriented to the use in h-methods the contemporary higher order hp-methods usually require new approaches in a posteriori error estimation.     

A priori and a posteriori error analysis for a large-scale ocean circulation finite element model

We consider the finite element solution of the stream function–vorticity formulation for a large-scale ocean circulation model. First, we study existence and uniqueness of solution for the continuous and discrete problems. Under appropriate regularity assumptions we prove that the stream function can be computed with an error of order h in H¹-seminorm. Second, we introduce and analyze an h-adaptive mesh refinement strategy to reduce the spurious oscillations and poor resolution which arise when convective terms are dominant. We propose an a posteriori anisotropic error indicator based on the recovery of the Hessian from the finite element solution, which allows us to obtain well adapted meshes. The numerical experiments show an optimal order of convergence of the adaptive scheme. Furthermore, this strategy is efficient to eliminate the oscillations around the boundary layer.     

A posteriori discontinuous finite element error estimation for two-dimensional hyperbolic problems

We analyze the discontinuous finite element errors associated with p-degree solutions for two-dimensional first-order hyperbolic problems. We show that the error on each element can be split into a dominant and less dominant component and that the leading part is O(h^p+1) and is spanned by two (p+1)-degree Radau polynomials in the x and y directions, respectively. We show that the p-degree discontinuous finite element solution is superconvergent at Radau points obtained as a tensor product of the roots of (p+1)-degree Radau polynomial. For a linear model problem, the p-degree discontinuous Galerkin solution flux exhibits a strong O(h^2p+2) local superconvergence on average at the element outflow boundary. We further establish an O(h^2p+1) global superconvergence for the solution flux at the outflow boundary of the domain. These results are used to construct simple, efficient and asymptotically correct a posteriori finite element error estimates for multi-dimensional first-order hyperbolic problems in regions where solutions are smooth.     

An efficient NFEM for optimal control problems governed by a bilinear state equation

In this paper, a nonconforming finite element method (NFEM) is proposed for the constrained optimal control problems (OCPs) governed by a bilinear state equation. The state and adjoint state are approximated by the nonconforming $E{Q}_1^{rot}$ element, and the control is approximated by the orthogonal projection through the state and adjoint state. Some superclose and superconvergence properties are obtained by full use of the distinguish characters of this $E{Q}_1^{rot}$ element, such as the interpolation operator equals the Ritz projection, and the consistency error is one order higher than its interpolation error in the broken energy norm. Finally, some numerical results are provided to verify the theoretical analysis.     

Convergence of optimal control problems governed by second kind parabolic variational inequalities

We consider a family of optimal control problems where the control variable is given by a boundary condition of Neumann type. This family is governed by parabolic variational inequalities of the second kind. We prove the strong convergence of the optimal control and state systems associated to this family to a similar optimal control problem. This work solves the open problem left by the authors in IFIP TC7 CSMO2011.     

Characteristic mixed finite element approximation of transient convection diffusion optimal control problems

In this paper, we investigate a characteristic mixed finite element approximation of transient convection diffusion optimal control problems. The state and the adjoint state are approximated by characteristic mixed finite element method, while the control is discretized by standard finite element method. We derive the continuous and discrete first-order optimality conditions and prove a priori error estimates for the state, the adjoint state and the control. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the theoretical findings.