Estimates from above and from below for the homogenized coefficients (Q1078995)

The computation of the homogenized coefficients involves the solution of a minimum problem for a quadratic functional. The use of conforming finite elements provides estimates from above. In this paper we prove that, under realistic assumptions, the use of linear non-conforming finite elements provides estimates from below. Hence, a-posteriori error estimates for the homogenized coefficients can be obtained.