On condition numbers in \(hp\)-FEM with Gauss-Lobatto-based shape functions (Q5957967)

The aim of this paper is to study the condition number in the \(hp\)-version of the finite element method (FEM) with Gauss-Lobatto-based shape functions. Here the sharp bounds on the condition number of the stiffness matrices arising in \(h/p\) spectral discretizations for two-dimensional elliptic problems are given. Two types of shape functions that are based on Lagrange interpolation polynomials in the Gauss-Lobatto points are considered. These shape functions result in condition numbers \(O(p)\) and \(O(p\ln p)\) for the condensed stiffness matrices, where \(p\) is the polynomial degree employed. Locally refined meshes are analyzed: Main result: For the discretization of Dirichlet problems on meshes that are refined geometrically toward singularities, the conditioning of the stiffness matrix is shown to be independent of the number of layers of geometric refinement. The bounds for the condition number on quadrilateral elements are given. Finally, the proof of several technical results is proposed.