Mesh design for the p-version of the finite element method (Q1072774)

When properly designed meshes are used then the performance of the p- extension is very close to the best performance attainable by the finite element method. Proper mesh design depends on the exact solution, however. Because the exact solution is not known a priori, initial mesh design is generally based on certain assumptions concerning the exact solution which must be tested in the post-solution phase to ensure reliability and accuracy of data computed from the finite element solution. In this paper general guidelines are presented for prior design of meshes, and procedures for post-solution testing are described and illustrated by examples.