A posteriori error estimation for acoustic wave propagation problems

Summary The main purpose of this paper is to review a posteriori error estimators for the simulation of acoustic wave propagation problems by computational methods. Residual-type (explicit and implicit) and recovery-type estimators are presented in detail in the case of the Helmholtz problem. Recent work on goal-oriented error estimation techniques with respect to so-called quantities of interest or output functionals are also accounted for. Fundamental results from a priori error estimation are presented and issues dealing with pollution error at large wave numbers are extensively discussed.     

A posteriori discontinuous finite element error estimation for two-dimensional hyperbolic problems

We analyze the discontinuous finite element errors associated with p-degree solutions for two-dimensional first-order hyperbolic problems. We show that the error on each element can be split into a dominant and less dominant component and that the leading part is O(h^p+1) and is spanned by two (p+1)-degree Radau polynomials in the x and y directions, respectively. We show that the p-degree discontinuous finite element solution is superconvergent at Radau points obtained as a tensor product of the roots of (p+1)-degree Radau polynomial. For a linear model problem, the p-degree discontinuous Galerkin solution flux exhibits a strong O(h^2p+2) local superconvergence on average at the element outflow boundary. We further establish an O(h^2p+1) global superconvergence for the solution flux at the outflow boundary of the domain. These results are used to construct simple, efficient and asymptotically correct a posteriori finite element error estimates for multi-dimensional first-order hyperbolic problems in regions where solutions are smooth.     

A posteriori error estimation for discontinuous Galerkin solutions of hyperbolic problems

We analyze the spatial discretization errors associated with solutions of one-dimensional hyperbolic conservation laws by discontinuous Galerkin methods (DGMs) in space. We show that the leading term of the spatial discretization error with piecewise polynomial approximations of degree p is proportional to a Radau polynomial of degree p+1 on each element. We also prove that the local and global discretization errors are O(Δx^2(p+1)) and O(Δx^2p+1) at the downwind point of each element. This strong superconvergence enables us to show that local and global discretization errors converge as O(Δx^p+2) at the remaining roots of Radau polynomial of degree p+1 on each element. Convergence of local and global discretization errors to the Radau polynomial of degree p+1 also holds for smooth solutions as p→∞. These results are used to construct asymptotically correct a posteriori estimates of spatial discretization errors that are effective for linear and nonlinear conservation laws in regions where solutions are smooth.     

A posteriori error analysis for a fractional differential equation

Numerical treatment for a fractional differential equation (FDE) is proposed and analysed. The solution of the FDE may be singular near certain domain boundaries, which leads to numerical difficulty. We apply the upwind finite difference method to the FDE. The stability properties and a posteriori error analysis for the discrete scheme are given. Then, a posteriori adapted mesh based on a posteriori error analysis is established by equidistributing arc-length monitor function. Numerical experiments illustrate that the upwind finite difference method on a posteriori adapted mesh is more accurate than the method on uniform mesh.     

A posteriori error estimation by postprocessor independent of method of flowfield calculation

We consider a postprocessor that is able to analyze the flow-field generated by an external (unknown) code so as to determine the error of useful functionals. The residuals engendered by the action of a high-order finite-difference stencil on a numerically computed flow-field are used for adjoint based a posteriori error estimation. The method requires information on the physical model (PDE system), flowfield parameters and corresponding grid and may be constructed without availability of detailed information on the numerical method used for the flow computation.     

A posteriori error control in radiative transfer

This note introduces a finite element approach for a radiative transfer model equation which allows for a posteriori error control and thus opens up the way for adaptive grid refinement strategies. Apart from a posteriori error estimates for the mean intensity, we demonstrate corresponding results for the intensity and compare our error estimators with a new, simple and rather promising error indicator for hyperbolic problems. We specifically emphasize that our ‘pure’ finite element technique is equivalent to the well-established discrete ordinates method favored by many users.     

A multiscale a posteriori error estimate

We introduce a hierarchic a posteriori error estimate for singularly perturbed reaction–diffusion problems. The estimator is based on a Petrov–Galerkin method in which the trial space is enriched with nonpolynomial functions or multiscale functions. We study the equivalence between the a posteriori estimate and the exact error in the energy norm. Moreover, we prove a relationship between the hierarchic estimator and an explicit residual estimator. The approach provides accurate estimates for the boundary layer regions which is confirmed by numerical experiments.     

A posteriori estimation of the error in the recovered derivatives of the finite element solution

This work addresses the accuracy of the solution derivatives which are recovered by local averaging of the finite element solution. The main results of the study are: (1) The error in the locally averaged derivatives (e.g. the derivatives which are recovered by the Zienkiewicz-Zhu Superconvergent Patch Recovery (ZZ-SPR) or other similar local recoveries) can be more than the error in the derivatives computed directly from the finite element solution, especially in the case of unsmooth solutions and/or coarse meshes. (2) In order to determine which solution derivatives should be relied upon, the locally averaged ones or the ones computed directly from the finite element solution, one must be able to estimate their errors. It is shown that one can obtain indicators of the error in the derivatives recovered by the ZZ-SPR by employing an additional local averaging of the recovered derivatives (recycling of the ZZ-SPR) or by comparing the derivatives computed by the ZZ-SPR with the derivatives obtained using a different local averaging which takes into account the character of the exact solution (harmonic averaging).     

A posteriori error estimation for the heterogeneous Maxwell equations on isotropic and anisotropic meshes

We consider residual-based a posteriori error estimators for the heterogeneous Maxwell equations using isotropic as well as anisotropic meshes. The continuous problem is approximated by using conforming approximated spaces with minimal assumptions. Lower and upper bounds are obtained under standard assumptions on the meshes. The lower bound holds unconditionally, while the upper bound depends on alignment properties of the meshes with respect to the solution. In particular for isotropic meshes the upper bound also holds unconditionally. A numerical test is presented which confirms our theoretical results.     

A posteriori error analysis for a cut cell finite volume method

We study the solution of a diffusive process in a domain where the diffusion coefficient changes discontinuously across a curved interface. We consider discretizations that use regularly-shaped meshes, so that the interface “cuts” through the cells (elements or volumes) without respecting the regular geometry of the mesh. Consequently, the discontinuity in the diffusion coefficients has a strong impact on the accuracy and convergence of the numerical method. This motivates the derivation of computational error estimates that yield accurate estimates for specified quantities of interest. For this purpose, we adapt the well-known adjoint based a posteriori error analysis technique used for finite element methods. In order to employ this method, we describe a systematic approach to discretizing a cut-cell problem that handles complex geometry in the interface in a natural fashion yet reduces to the well-known Ghost Fluid Method in simple cases. We test the accuracy of the estimates in a series of examples.     

A posteriori error analysis of time-dependent Stokes problem by Chorin-Temam scheme

We present a posteriori-residual analysis for the approximate time-dependent Stokes model Chorin-Temam projection scheme (Chorin in Math. Comput. 23:341–353, 1969; Temam in Arch. Ration. Mech. Appl. 33:377–385, 1969). Based on the multi-step approach introduced in Bergam et al. (Math. Comput. 74(251):1117–1138, 2004), we derive error estimators, with respect to both time and space approximations, related to diffusive and incompressible parts of Stokes equations. Using a conforming finite element discretization, we prove the equivalence between error and estimators under specific conditions.     

Remarks on a posteriori error estimation for inaccurate finite element solutions

Usually, error estimators for adaptive refinement require exact discrete solutions. In this paper, we show how inaccurate solutions (e.g., iterative approximations) can be used, too. As a side remark we characterise iterative solution schemes that are particularly suited to producing good approximations for error estimators. This work was supported by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Project Ha 1324/9).     

A variational multiscale a posteriori error estimation method for mixed form of nearly incompressible elasticity

This paper presents an error estimation framework for a mixed displacement–pressure finite element method for nearly incompressible elasticity. The proposed method is based on Variational Multiscale (VMS) concepts, wherein the displacement field is decomposed into coarse scales that can be resolved by a given finite element mesh and fine scales that are beyond the resolution capacity of the mesh. Variational projection of fine scales onto the coarse-scale space via variational embedding of the fine-scale solution into the coarse-scale formulation leads to the stabilized method with two major attributes: first, it is free of volumetric locking and, second, it accommodates arbitrary combinations of interpolation functions for the displacement and pressure fields. This VMS-based stabilized method is equipped with naturally derived error estimators and offers various options for numerical computation of the error. Specifically, two error estimators are explored. The first method employs an element-based strategy and a representation of error via a fine-scale error equation defined over element interiors which is evaluated by a direct post-solution evaluation. This quantity when combined with the global pollution error results in a simple explicit error estimator. The second method involves solving the fine-scale error equation through localization to overlapping patches spread across the domain, thereby leading to an implicit calculation of the local error. This implicit calculation when combined with the global pollution error results in an implicit error estimator. The performance of the stabilized method and the error estimators is investigated through numerical convergence tests conducted for two model problems on uniform and distorted meshes. The sharpness and robustness of the estimators is shown to be consistent across the test cases employed.     

On a posteriori pointwise error estimation using adjoint temperature and Lagrange remainder

The pointwise estimation of heat conduction solution as a function of truncation error of a finite difference scheme is addressed. The truncation error is estimated using a Taylor series with the remainder in the Lagrange form. The contribution of the local error to the total pointwise error is estimated via an adjoint temperature. It is demonstrated that the results of numerical calculation of the temperature at an observation point may thus be refined via adjoint error correction and that an asymptotic error bound may be found.     

A posteriori error analysis of nonconforming finite-element discretization for the Stokes equations

In this paper, we extend the unifying theory for a posteriori error analysis of the nonconforming finite-element methods to the Stokes problems. We present explicit residual-based computable error indicators, we prove its reliability and efficiency based on two assumptions concerning both the weak continuity and the weak orthogonality of the nonconforming finite-element spaces, respectively, and we apply the unified framework to various nonconforming finite elements from the literature.     

A feedback finite element method with a posteriori error estimation: Part I. The finite element method and some basic properties of the a posteriori error estimator

This paper is the first in a series of two in which we discuss some theoretical and practical aspects of a feedback finite element method for solving systems of linear second-order elliptic partial differential equations (with particular interest in classical linear elasticity). In this first part we introduce some nonstandard finite element spaces, which, though based on the usual square bilinear elements, permit local mesh refinement. The algebraic structure of these spaces and their approximation properties are analyzed. An “equivalent estimator” for the H¹ finite element error is developed. In the second paper we shall discuss the asymptotic properties of the estimator and computational experience.     

A posteriori error estimates for one-dimensional convection-diffussion problems

This paper is concerned with the upwind finite-difference discretization of a quasilinear singularly perturbed boundary value problem without turning points. Kopteva's a posteriori error estimate [1] is generalized and improved.     

A posteriori error analysis of component mode synthesis for the elliptic eigenvalue problem

We develop a posteriori error estimates for the error associated with model reduction of elliptic eigenvalue problems using component mode synthesis (CMS). The estimates reflect to what degree each CMS subspace influence the overall error in the reduced solution. This allows for automatic error control through adaptive algorithms that determine suitable dimensions of each CMS subspace.     

A posteriori minimax estimation with likelihood constraints

Consideration was given to the problem of guaranteed estimation of the parameters of an uncertain stochastic regression. The loss function is the conditional mean squared error relative to the available observations. The uncertainty set is a subset of the probabilistic distributions lumped on a certain compact with additional linear constraints generated by the likelihood function. Solution of this estimation problem comes to determining the saddle point defining both the minimax estimator and the set of the corresponding worst distributions. The saddle point is the solution of a simpler finite-dimensional dual optimization problem. A numerical algorithm to solve this problem was presented, and its precision was determined. Model examples demonstrated the impact of the additional likelihood constraints on the estimation performance.     

Application of a posteriori error estimation to finite element simulation of incompressible Navier-Stokes flow

The main goal of this paper is to study adaptive mesh techniques, using a posteriori error estimates, for the finite element solution of the Navier-Stokes equations modeling steady and unsteady flows of an incompressible viscous fluid. Among existing operator splitting techniques, the θ-scheme is used for time integration of the Navier-Stokes equations. Then, a posteriori error estimates, based on the solution of a local system for each triangular element, are presented in the framework of the generalized incompressible Stokes problem, followed by its practical application to the case of incompressible Navier-Stokes problem. Hierarchical mesh adaptive techniques are developed in response to the a posteriori error estimation. Numerical simulations of viscous flows associated with selected geometries are performed and discussed to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of our methodology.