Complementary error bounds for foolproof finite element mesh generation

The use of complementary variational principles in finite element analysis is examined. It is shown that complementary finite element solutions provide an element by element measure of the accuracy of the solution. By solving a problem repeatedly, beginning with a coarse mesh and refining those elements having the largest errors, an automatic, foolproof finite element mesh generation procedure is developed. Finite element solutions obtained by the new procedure have the property that the finest elements are concentrated in regions of greatest need while large elements are found in less important regions. A computer program which implements the new algorithm is described and examples of finite element solutions generated by the program are presented.