A piecewise parabolic C approximation technique for curved boundaries

The parabola, in parametric form, is discussed as a suitable approximation to curved boundaries. The four degrees of freedom are specified locally by Hermite interpolation. This piecewise curve approximation can then be thought of as a locally defined C′ spline. A geometric norm, i.e. one which is invariant under the axes change is constructed and the approximation technique is analysed in this norm. A selection of graphical studies of piecewise approximations to a variety of curves, using this method, is given.