Convergence of mixed finite element approximation for the shallow arch problem (Q1093420)

The stability and convergence of mixed finite element methods are investigated, for an equilibrium problem for thin shallow elastic arches. The Mindlin hypotheses are assumed and the problem in its standard form contains two terms, corresponding to the contributions from the shear and axial strains, with a small parameter. Lagrange multipliers corresponding to shear and axial force are introduced, to formulate the problem in an alternative mixed form. Questions of existence and uniqueness of solutions to the standard and mixed problems are addressed, after which finite element approximations of these problems are formulated. We are particularly interested here in the conditions under which the discrete mixed formulation is stable and convergent, and the conditions under which reduced integration formulations of the standard problem are equivalent to mixed formulations. It is shown that finite element approximations of the mixed problem are stable and convergent. Reduced integration formulations are equivalent to a mixed formulation which in general is distinct from the formulation shown to be stable and convergent, except when the order of polynomial interpolation t of the arch shape satisfies \(1\leq t\leq \min (2,r)\), where r is the order of polynomial approximation of the unknown variables. Under these circumstances reduced integration techniques are stable and convergent.