Some mixed finite element methods for biharmonic equation (Q5928284)

For the numerical solution of the biharmonic equation some perturbed mixed finite element methods related to the reduced integration technique are considered. For the rectangular mesh the similar schemes was proposed by \textit{D. S. Malkus} and \textit{T. J. R. Hughes} [Computer Methods Appl. Mech. Engin. 15, 63-81 (1978; Zbl 0381.73075)] and the convergence of this method was analysed by \textit{C. Johnson} and \textit{J. Pitkäranta} [Math. Comput. 38, 375-400 (1982; Zbl 0482.65058)]. In the paper under review the modification of the scheme of Malkus and Hughes is presented and optimal order error estimates are proved without extra assumptions on the smoothness of the solution used by Johnson and Pitkäranta. For the triangular mesh, an analogous scheme is studied, and an order estimate is derived. Some numerical results are given to demonstrate the convergence behaviour of the numerical solution.