Numerical Analysis Group Research Report NA-01/04

F Brezzi, T J R Hughes, E Süli

March 2001, 31 pages.

We consider the approximation of elliptic boundary value problems by conforming finite element methods. A model problem, the Poisson equation with Dirichlet boundary conditions, is used to examine the convergence behavior of flux defined on an internal boundary which splits the domain in two. A variational definition of flux, designed to satisfy local conservation laws, is shown to lead to improved rates of convergence.

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