The convergence of two numerical schemes for the Navier-Stokes equations (Q1103458)

This paper deals with some convergence/stability results concerning two numerical methods for solving the incompressible nonstationary Navier- Stokes equations. The algorithms are of a particular kind in what regards time discretization (more precisely, of the Peaceman-Rachford and the Strang type, respectively), and have been obtained by modifying slightly the numerical treatment of the nonlinear terms in other schemes due to R. Glowinski et al. [see e.g.: \textit{R. V. Dinh}, \textit{R. Glowinski} and \textit{J. Periaux}, Méthodes numériques dans les sciences de l'ingénieur, 2e Congr. int G.A.M.N.I., Paris 1980, Vol. 1, 383-404 (1980; Zbl 0455.76019) and \textit{R. Glowinski}, \textit{B. Mantel}, \textit{J. Periaux}, \textit{P. Perrier}, \textit{O. Pironneau}, Proc. 3rd int. Conf. Finite elements in flow problems, Banff/Alberta 1980, Vol. II, 229-255 (1980; Zbl 0444.76020)]. We first describe the full discretization of the homogeneous Dirichlet problems using a general external approximation of the spatial functional spaces involved. A particular and simple choice of such an approximation is the standard piecewise quadratic finite element method for the velocity field when the fluid is two-dimensional. Then we establish and prove convergence and stability results. We also make some comments on the numerical procedure for handling other (generally nonhomogeneous) boundary conditions. The theoretical results show that the schemes are, at least, conditionally stable and convergent. This justifies the success of Glowinski's methods.