Exact finite element method (Q1192807)

The paper presents a new method --- called exact finite element method -- - for solving arbitrary \(k\)th order linear partial differential equations with variable coefficients under arbitrary boundary conditions. The method does not need a variational principle, the interpolating element functions only need to satisfy a partial differential equation with constant coefficients. The compatibility condition only requires that the unknown parameters continue at nodes between elements. Comparing the exact finite element method with the general finite element method, approximations of higher order derivatives are obtained which have high rates of convergence. For simplicity of description only two- dimensional problems are considered. Three numerical examples are given which indicate all results can converge to the exact solution and have high numerical precision.