Finite Element Approximations (finite + element_approximation)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Kinds of Finite Element Approximations

  • mixed finite element approximation


  • Selected Abstracts


    Sufficient conditions of non-uniqueness for the Coulomb friction problem

    MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN THE APPLIED SCIENCES, Issue 1 2004
    Riad Hassani
    Abstract We consider the Signorini problem with Coulomb friction in elasticity. Sufficient conditions of non-uniqueness are obtained for the continuous model. These conditions are linked to the existence of real eigenvalues of an operator in a Hilbert space. We prove that, under appropriate conditions, real eigenvalues exist for a non-local Coulomb friction model. Finite element approximation of the eigenvalue problem is considered and numerical experiments are performed. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Finite element approximation of a forward and backward anisotropic diffusion model in image denoising and form generalization

    NUMERICAL METHODS FOR PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS, Issue 2 2008
    Carsten Ebmeyer
    Abstract A new forward,backward anisotropic diffusion model is introduced. The two limit cases are the Perona-Malik equation and the Total Variation flow model. A fully discrete finite element scheme is studied using C0 -piecewise linear elements in space and the backward Euler difference scheme in time. A priori estimates are proven. Numerical results in image denoising and form generalization are presented.© 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2008 [source]


    A posteriori error estimation of approximate boundary fluxes

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 6 2008
    T. Wildey
    Abstract This paper describes the a posteriori estimation of the error in the flux of a finite element approximation on a piece of the boundary of the domain. The estimate is obtained via a generalized Green's function corresponding to the quantity of interest on the boundary. We investigate the effects of smoothing the data corresponding to the quantity of interest and explore the effective domain of dependence of the quantity. We relate this approach to previous work by M. F. Wheeler, G. F. Carey, I. Babuska et al., and M. Larson et al. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    CBS versus GLS stabilization of the incompressible Navier,Stokes equations and the role of the time step as stabilization parameter

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 2 2002
    R. Codina
    Abstract In this work we compare two apparently different stabilization procedures for the finite element approximation of the incompressible Navier,Stokes equations. The first is the characteristic-based split (CBS). It combines the characteristic Galerkin method to deal with convection dominated flows with a classical splitting technique, which in some cases allows us to use equal velocity,pressure interpolations. The second approach is the Galerkin-least-squares (GLS) method, in which a least-squares form of the element residual is added to the basic Galerkin equations. It is shown that both formulations display similar stabilization mechanisms, provided the stabilization parameter of the GLS method is identified with the time step of the CBS approach. This identification can be understood from a formal Fourier analysis of the linearized problem. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Partition of unity enrichment for bimaterial interface cracks

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING, Issue 8 2004
    N. Sukumar
    Abstract Partition of unity enrichment techniques are developed for bimaterial interface cracks. A discontinuous function and the two-dimensional near-tip asymptotic displacement functions are added to the finite element approximation using the framework of partition of unity. This enables the domain to be modelled by finite elements without explicitly meshing the crack surfaces. The crack-tip enrichment functions are chosen as those that span the asymptotic displacement fields for an interfacial crack. The concept of partition of unity facilitates the incorporation of the oscillatory nature of the singularity within a conforming finite element approximation. The mixed-mode (complex) stress intensity factors for bimaterial interfacial cracks are numerically evaluated using the domain form of the interaction integral. Good agreement between the numerical results and the reference solutions for benchmark interfacial crack problems is realized. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Classical and advanced multilayered plate elements based upon PVD and RMVT.

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING, Issue 3 2002
    Part 2: Numerical implementations
    Abstract This paper presents numerical evaluations related to the multilayered plate elements which were proposed in the companion paper (Part 1). Two-dimensional modellings with linear and higher-order (up to fourth order) expansion in the z -plate/layer thickness direction have been implemented for both displacements and transverse stresses. Layer-wise as well as equivalent single-layer modellings are considered on both frameworks of the principle of virtual displacements and Reissner mixed variational theorem. Such a variety has led to the implementation of 22 plate theories. As far as finite element approximation is concerned, three quadrilaters have been considered (four-, eight- and nine-noded plate elements). As a result, 22×3 different finite plate elements have been compared in the present analysis. The automatic procedure described in Part 1, which made extensive use of indicial notations, has herein been referred to in the considered computer implementations. An assessment has been made as far as convergence rates, numerical integrations and comparison to correspondent closed-form solutions are concerned. Extensive comparison to early and recently available results has been made for sample problems related to laminated and sandwich structures. Classical formulations, full mixed, hybrid, as well as three-dimensional solutions have been considered in such a comparison. Numerical substantiation of the importance of the fulfilment of zig-zag effects and interlaminar equilibria is given. The superiority of RMVT formulated finite elements over those related to PVD has been concluded. Two test cases are proposed as ,desk-beds' to establish the accuracy of the several theories. Results related to all the developed theories are presented for the first test case. The second test case, which is related to sandwich plates, restricts the comparison to the most significant implemented finite elements. It is proposed to refer to these test cases to establish the accuracy of existing or new higher-order, refined or improved finite elements for multilayered plate analyses. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    An objective finite element approximation of the kinematics of geometrically exact rods and its use in the formulation of an energy,momentum conserving scheme in dynamics

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING, Issue 12 2002
    I. Romero
    Abstract We present in this paper a new finite element formulation of geometrically exact rod models in the three-dimensional dynamic elastic range. The proposed formulation leads to an objective (or frame-indifferent under superposed rigid body motions) approximation of the strain measures of the rod involving finite rotations of the director frame, in contrast with some existing formulations. This goal is accomplished through a direct finite element interpolation of the director fields defining the motion of the rod's cross-section. Furthermore, the proposed framework allows the development of time-stepping algorithms that preserve the conservation laws of the underlying continuum Hamiltonian system. The conservation laws of linear and angular momenta are inherited by construction, leading to an improved approximation of the rod's dynamics. Several numerical simulations are presented illustrating these properties. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Improving Eulerian two-phase flow finite element approximation with discontinuous gradient pressure shape functions

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN FLUIDS, Issue 12 2005
    A. H. Coppola-Owen
    Abstract In this paper we present a problem we have encountered using a stabilized finite element method on fixed grids for flows with interfaces modelled with the level set approach. We propose a solution based on enriching the pressure shape functions on the elements cut by the interface. The enrichment is used to enable the pressure gradient to be discontinuous at the interface, thus improving the ability to simulate the behaviour of fluids with different density under a gravitational force. The additional shape function used is local to each element and the corresponding degree of freedom can therefore be condensed prior to assembly, making the implementation quite simple on any existing finite element code. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Adaptive finite element approximations on nonmatching grids for second-order elliptic problems

    NUMERICAL METHODS FOR PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS, Issue 4 2010
    Hongsen Chen
    Abstract In this article we consider a finite element approximation for a model elliptic problem of second order on non-matching grids. This method combines the continuous finite element method with interior penalty discontinuous Galerkin method. As a special case, we develop a finite element method that is continuous on the matching part of the grid and is discontinuous on the nonmatching part. A residual type a posteriori error estimate is derived. Results of numerical experiments are presented. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 2010 [source]


    Finite element analysis of thermally coupled nonlinear Darcy flows

    NUMERICAL METHODS FOR PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS, Issue 1 2010
    Jiang Zhu
    Abstract We consider a coupled system describing nonlinear Darcy flows with temperature dependent viscosity and with viscous heating. We first establish existence, uniqueness, and regularity of the weak solution of the system of equations. Next, we decouple the coupled system by a fixed point algorithm and propose its finite element approximation. Finally, we present convergence analysis with an error estimate between continuous solution and its iterative finite element approximation.© 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2010 [source]


    Variational formulation for the stationary fractional advection dispersion equation,

    NUMERICAL METHODS FOR PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS, Issue 3 2006
    Vincent J. Ervin
    Abstract In this article a theoretical framework for the Galerkin finite element approximation to the steady state fractional advection dispersion equation is presented. Appropriate fractional derivative spaces are defined and shown to be equivalent to the usual fractional dimension Sobolev spaces Hs. Existence and uniqueness results are proven, and error estimates for the Galerkin approximation derived. Numerical results are included that confirm the theoretical estimates. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2005 [source]


    On the numerical approach of the enthalpy method for the Stefan problem

    NUMERICAL METHODS FOR PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS, Issue 4 2004
    Khaled Omrani
    Abstract In this article an error bound is derived for a piecewise linear finite element approximation of an enthalpy formulation of the Stefan problem; we have analyzed a semidiscrete Galerkin approximation and completely discrete scheme based on the backward Euler method and a linearized scheme is given and its convergence is also proved. A second-order error estimates are derived for the Crank-Nicolson Galerkin method. In the second part, a new class of finite difference schemes is proposed. Our approach is to introduce a new variable and transform the given equation into an equivalent system of equations. Then, we prove that the difference scheme is second order convergent. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2004 [source]


    Approximation of time-dependent, viscoelastic fluid flow: Crank-Nicolson, finite element approximation,

    NUMERICAL METHODS FOR PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS, Issue 2 2004
    Vincent J. Ervin
    Abstract In this article we analyze a fully discrete approximation to the time dependent viscoelasticity equations with an Oldroyd B constitutive equation in ,, = 2, 3. We use a Crank-Nicolson discretization for the time derivatives. At each time level a linear system of equations is solved. To resolve the nonlinearities we use a three-step extrapolation for the prediction of the velocity and stress at the new time level. The approximation is stabilized by using a discontinuous Galerkin approximation for the constitutive equation. For the mesh parameter, h, and the temporal step size, ,t, sufficiently small and satisfying ,t , Ch, existence of the approximate solution is proven. A priori error estimates for the approximation in terms of ,t and h are also derived. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 20: 248,283, 2004 [source]


    Lagrange interpolation and finite element superconvergence,

    NUMERICAL METHODS FOR PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS, Issue 1 2004
    Bo Li
    Abstract We consider the finite element approximation of the Laplacian operator with the homogeneous Dirichlet boundary condition, and study the corresponding Lagrange interpolation in the context of finite element superconvergence. For d -dimensional Qk -type elements with d , 1 and k , 1, we prove that the interpolation points must be the Lobatto points if the Lagrange interpolation and the finite element solution are superclose in H1 norm. For d -dimensional Pk -type elements, we consider the standard Lagrange interpolation,the Lagrange interpolation with interpolation points being the principle lattice points of simplicial elements. We prove for d , 2 and k , d + 1 that such interpolation and the finite element solution are not superclose in both H1 and L2 norms and that not all such interpolation points are superconvergence points for the finite element approximation. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 20: 33,59, 2004. [source]


    Ritz finite elements for curvilinear particles

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 5 2006
    Paul R. Heyliger
    Abstract A general finite element is presented for the representation of fields in curvilinear particles in two and three dimensions. The formulation of this element shares many similarities with usual finite element approximations, but differs in that nodal points are defined in part by contact points with other particles. Power series in the geometric coordinates are used as the starting basis functions, but are recast in terms of the field variables within the particle interior and the points of contact with other elements. There is no discretization error and the elements of the finite element matrices can all be evaluated in closed form. This approach is applicable to shapes in two and three dimensions, including discs, ellipses, spheres, spheroids, and potatoes. Examples are included for two-dimensional applications of steady-state heat transfer and elastostatics. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Stability of a trilinear,trilinear approximation for the Stokes equations

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 5 2003
    Kamel Nafa
    Abstract The choice of mixed finite element approximations for fluid flow problems is a compromise between accuracy and computational efficiency. Although a number of finite elements are found in the literature only few low-order approximations are stable. This is particularly true for three-dimensional flow problems. These elements are attractive because of their simplicity and efficiency, but can suffer though poor rate of convergence. In this paper the stability of a continuous trilinear,trilinear approximation is being analysed for general geometries. Using the macroelement technique, we prove the stability of the approximation. As a result, optimal rates of convergence are obtained for both the velocity and pressure approximations. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Numerical stability and error analysis for the incompressible Navier,Stokes equations

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 11 2002
    S. Prudhomme
    Abstract This paper describes a strategy to control errors in finite element approximations of the time-dependent incompressible Navier,Stokes equations. The approach involves estimating the errors due to the discretization in space, using information from the residuals in the momentum and continuity equations. Following a numerical stability analysis of channel flows past a cylinder, it is concluded that the errors due to the residual in the continuity equation should be carefully controlled since it appears to be the source of unphysical perturbations artificially created by the spatial discretization. The performance of the adaptive strategy is then tested for lid-driven oblique cavity flows. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Guaranteed computable error bounds for conforming and nonconforming finite element analyses in planar elasticity

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING, Issue 9 2010
    Mark Ainsworth
    Abstract We obtain fully computable a posteriori error estimators for the energy norm of the error in second-order conforming and nonconforming finite element approximations in planar elasticity. These estimators are completely free of unknown constants and give a guaranteed numerical upper bound on the norm of the error. The estimators are shown to also provide local lower bounds, up to a constant and higher-order data oscillation terms. Numerical examples are presented illustrating the theory and confirming the effectiveness of the estimator. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Hybrid domain decomposition algorithms for compressible and almost incompressible elasticity

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING, Issue 2 2010
    Clark R. Dohrmann
    Abstract Overlapping Schwarz methods are considered for mixed finite element approximations of linear elasticity, with discontinuous pressure spaces, as well as for compressible elasticity approximated by standard conforming finite elements. The coarse components of the preconditioners are based on spaces, with a number of degrees of freedom per subdomain which are uniformly bounded, which are similar to those previously developed for scalar elliptic problems and domain decomposition methods of iterative substructuring type, i.e. methods based on nonoverlapping decompositions of the domain. The local components of the new preconditioners are based on solvers on a set of overlapping subdomains. In the current study, the dimension of the coarse spaces is smaller than in recently developed algorithms; in the compressible case all independent face degrees of freedom have been eliminated while in the almost incompressible case five out of six are not needed. In many cases, this will result in a reduction of the dimension of the coarse space by about one half compared with that of the algorithm previously considered. In addition, in spite of using overlapping subdomains to define the local components of the preconditioner, values of the residual and the approximate solution need only to be retained on the interface between the subdomains in the iteration of the new hybrid Schwarz algorithm. The use of discontinuous pressures makes it possible to work exclusively with symmetric, positive-definite problems and the standard preconditioned conjugate gradient method. Bounds are established for the condition number of the preconditioned operators. The bound for the almost incompressible case grows in proportion to the square of the logarithm of the number of degrees of freedom of individual subdomains and the third power of the relative overlap between the overlapping subdomains, and it is independent of the Poisson ratio as well as jumps in the Lamé parameters across the interface between the subdomains. Numerical results illustrate the findings. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Robust and efficient domain decomposition preconditioners for adaptive hp finite element approximations of linear elasticity with and without discontinuous coefficients

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING, Issue 3 2004
    Andrew C. Bauer
    Abstract Adaptive finite element methods (FEM) generate linear equation systems that require dynamic and irregular patterns of storage, access, and computation, making their parallelization difficult. Additional difficulties are generated for problems in which the coefficients of the governing partial differential equations have large discontinuities. We describe in this paper the development of a set of iterative substructuring based solvers and domain decomposition preconditioners with an algebraic coarse-grid component that address these difficulties for adaptive hp approximations of linear elasticity with both homogeneous and inhomogeneous material properties. Our solvers are robust and efficient and place no restrictions on the mesh or partitioning. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Hierarchic finite element bases on unstructured tetrahedral meshes

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING, Issue 14 2003
    Mark Ainsworth
    Abstract The problem of constructing hierarchic bases for finite element discretization of the spaces H1, H(curl), H(div) and L2 on tetrahedral elements is addressed. A simple and efficient approach to ensuring conformity of the approximations across element interfaces is described. Hierarchic bases of arbitrary polynomial order are presented. It is shown how these may be used to construct finite element approximations of arbitrary, non-uniform, local order approximation on unstructured meshes of curvilinear tetrahedral elements. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Numerical inclusion methods of solutions for variational inequalities

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING, Issue 11 2002
    C. S. Ryoo
    Abstract We consider a numerical method that enables us to verify the existence of solutions for variational inequalities. This method is based on the infinite dimensional fixed point theorems and explicit error estimates for finite element approximations. Using the finite element approximations and explicit a priori error estimates, we present an effective verification procedure that through numerical computation generates a set which includes the exact solution. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    On pressure separation algorithms (PSepA) for improving the accuracy of incompressible flow simulations

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN FLUIDS, Issue 4 2009
    S. Turek
    Abstract We investigate a special technique called ,pressure separation algorithm' (PSepA) (see Applied Mathematics and Computation 2005; 165:275,290 for an introduction) that is able to significantly improve the accuracy of incompressible flow simulations for problems with large pressure gradients. In our numerical studies with the computational fluid dynamics package FEATFLOW (www.featflow.de), we mainly focus on low-order Stokes elements with nonconforming finite element approximations for the velocity and piecewise constant pressure functions. However, preliminary numerical tests show that this advantageous behavior can also be obtained for higher-order discretizations, for instance, with Q2/P1 finite elements. We analyze the application of this simple, but very efficient, algorithm to several stationary and nonstationary benchmark configurations in 2D and 3D (driven cavity and flow around obstacles), and we also demonstrate its effect to spurious velocities in multiphase flow simulations (,static bubble' configuration) if combined with edge-oriented, resp., interior penalty finite element method stabilization techniques. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Steady filtration problems with seawater intrusion: macro-hybrid penalized finite element approximations

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN FLUIDS, Issue 9 2005
    Gonzalo Alduncin
    Abstract Macro-hybrid penalized finite element approximations are studied for steady filtration problems with seawater intrusion. On the basis of nonoverlapping domain decompositions with vertical interfaces, sections of coastal aquifers are decomposed into subsystems with simpler geometries and small scales, interconnected via transmission conditions of pressure and flux continuity. Corresponding local penalized formulations are derived from the global penalized variational formulation of the two-free boundary flow problem, with continuity transmission conditions modelled variationally in a dual sense. Then, macro-hybrid finite element approximations are derived for the system, defined on independent subdomain grids. Parallel relaxation penalty-duality algorithms are proposed from fixed-point problem characterizations. Numerical experiments exemplify the macro-hybrid penalized theory, showing a good agreement with previous primal conforming penalized finite element approximations (Comput. Methods Appl. Mech. Engng. 2000; 190:609,624). Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Krylov model order reduction of finite element approximations of electromagnetic devices with frequency-dependent material properties

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NUMERICAL MODELLING: ELECTRONIC NETWORKS, DEVICES AND FIELDS, Issue 5 2007
    Hong Wu
    Abstract A methodology is presented for the Krylov subspace-based model order reduction of finite element models of electromagnetic structures with material properties and impedance boundary conditions exhibiting arbitrary frequency dependence. The proposed methodology is a generalization of an equation-preserving Krylov model order reduction scheme for methodology for second-order, linear dynamical systems. The emphasis of this paper is on the application of this method to the broadband model order reduction of planar circuits including lossy strips of arbitrary thickness and lossy reference planes. In particular, it is shown that the proposed model order reduction methodology provides for the accurately modelling of the impact of the frequency dependence of the internal impedance per unit length of the thick lossy strip on the electromagnetic response of the stripline structure over a very broad, multi-GHz frequency band, extending all the way down to frequencies in the DC neighbourhood. In addition, the application of the proposed methodology to the broadband modelling of electromagnetic coupling between strips on either side of a lossy ground plane is demonstrated. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Error estimates for mixed finite element approximations of the viscoelasticity wave equation

    MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN THE APPLIED SCIENCES, Issue 17 2004
    Liping Gao
    Abstract This paper studies mixed finite element approximations to the solution of the viscoelasticity wave equation. Two new transformations are introduced and a corresponding system of first-order differential-integral equations is derived. The semi-discrete and full-discrete mixed finite element methods are then proposed for the problem based on the Raviart,Thomas,Nedelec spaces. The optimal error estimates in L2 -norm are obtained for the semi-discrete and full-discrete mixed approximations of the general viscoelasticity wave equation. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Adaptive finite element approximations on nonmatching grids for second-order elliptic problems

    NUMERICAL METHODS FOR PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS, Issue 4 2010
    Hongsen Chen
    Abstract In this article we consider a finite element approximation for a model elliptic problem of second order on non-matching grids. This method combines the continuous finite element method with interior penalty discontinuous Galerkin method. As a special case, we develop a finite element method that is continuous on the matching part of the grid and is discontinuous on the nonmatching part. A residual type a posteriori error estimate is derived. Results of numerical experiments are presented. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 2010 [source]


    Error analysis of the L2 least-squares finite element method for incompressible inviscid rotational flows,

    NUMERICAL METHODS FOR PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS, Issue 6 2004
    Chiung-Chiou Tsai
    Abstract In this article we analyze the L2 least-squares finite element approximations to the incompressible inviscid rotational flow problem, which is recast into the velocity-vorticity-pressure formulation. The least-squares functional is defined in terms of the sum of the squared L2 norms of the residual equations over a suitable product function space. We first derive a coercivity type a priori estimate for the first-order system problem that will play the crucial role in the error analysis. We then show that the method exhibits an optimal rate of convergence in the H1 norm for velocity and pressure and a suboptimal rate of convergence in the L2 norm for vorticity. A numerical example in two dimensions is presented, which confirms the theoretical error estimates. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2004 [source]