On finite element approximation in the \(L^{\infty}\)-norm of variational inequalities (Q1063393)

Using a discrete maximum principle and the properties of the so called ''M-functions'' it is proved that the solution \(u_ h\) of the discrete variational inequality: \(a_ h(u_ h,v_ h-u_ h)\geq (f,v_ h-u_ h),\) \(u_ h\leq r_ h\psi\), \(v_ h\leq r_ h\psi\), \(\forall v_ h\in V_ h\) approximates the solution u of the continuous problem: \(a(u,v- u)\geq (f,v-u),\) \(u\leq \psi\), \(v\leq \psi\), \(\forall v\in V\) in the \(L^{\infty}\)-norm as follows: \(\| u-u_ h\|_{\infty}\leq Ch^{\nu}| \log h|^{\mu}\) where \(0\leq \mu,\nu \leq 2\). It is proved also that the hypotheses of the main theorem are satisfied by linear and quasilinear operators, by the pseudo-Laplacian and other nonlinear operators. A numerical example is provided.