Element-oriented and edge-oriented local error estimators for nonconforming finite element methods

Abstract

We consider easily computable and reliable error estimators for the approximation of linear elliptic boundary value problems by nonconforming finite element methods. In particular, we develop both element-oriented and edge-oriented estimators providing lower and upper bounds for the global discretization error. The local contributions of these estimators may serve as indicators for local refinement within an adaptive framework.