On Discrete-Kirchhoff Plate Finite Elements: Implementation and discretization error

Abstract

We present neat and efficient computer code implementation of two types of Discrete-Kirchhoff plate finite elements—the Discrete-Kirchhoff triangle and the Discrete-Kirchhoff quadrilateral—which can be used to model numerous thin plate problems in mechanics and biology. We also present an implicit a posteriori discretization error indicator computation, based on the superconvergent patch recovery technique, for the Discrete-Kirchhoff plate finite elements. This error indicator can drive an adaptivemeshing algorithm providing themost suitable finite element mesh. For an illustration, some numerical results are given.