Local projection stabilization of equal order interpolation applied to the Stokes problem

Abstract

The local projection stabilization allows us to circumvent the Babuška-Brezzi condition and to use equal order interpolation for discretizing the Stokes problem. The projection is usually done in a two-level approach by projecting the pressure gradient onto a discontinuous finite element space living on a patch of elements. We propose a new local projection stabilization method based on (possibly) enriched finite element spaces and discontinuous projection spaces defined on the same mesh. Optimal order of convergence is shown for pairs of approximation and projection spaces satisfying a certain infsup condition. Examples are enriched simplicial finite elements and standard quadrilatoral/hexahedral elements. The new approach overcomes the problem of an increasing discretization stencil and, thus, is simple to implement in existing computer codes. Numerical tests confirm the theoretical convergence results which are robust with respect to the user-chosen stabilization parameter. © 2008 American Mathematical Society.