The h-p version of the finite element method for problems with nonhomogeneous essential boundary condition (Q757170)

The h-p version (h: size of the elements; p: order of the shape functions) of the finite element method is a combination of the well- known standard h-version fixing the degree p of the elements and the p- version fixing the mesh. Both the p and the h-p versions can successfully be used for solving elliptic equations, especially in the whole field of computational mechanics. In the present article, the authors design and analyze, within the scope of the h-p method, how to deal with nonhomogeneous Dirichlet boundary conditions in the full generality. Proceeding from some basic properties and definitions, the model problem of the second order elliptic partial differential equation is discussed and a survey of available solutions (described in the framework of countably normed spaces) is presented. Based on these results, the h-p version of the finite element method is given including a characterization of the meshes and elements under consideration and a definition, how to handle the nonhomogeneous boundary-value problem. Furthermore, the authors prove the exponential rate of convergence. Finally, some illustrative numerical examples are given showing the theoretical results to be applicable in a wide range of practical accuracy.