A variational approximation method for 2nd order elliptic eigenvalue problems in a composite structure with nonstandard boundary conditions (Q1377262)

The authors deal with the finite element analysis of a class of eigenvalue problems in a composite structure in the plane, consisting of rectangular subdomains which enclose an intermediate region. Nonlocal boundary conditions of Robin type are imposed on the inner boundaries i.e. on the interfaces of the respective subdomains with the intermediate region. On the eventual interfaces between two subdomains the authors impose discontinuous transition conditions. Finally, classical local boundary conditions are given at the outer boundaries. Such problems are related to some heat transfer problems. For notational simplicity the authors only deal with the model problem in a two-composed structure, consisting of two rectangular domains, which are separated by the intermediate region. The variational formulation of this problem is given and the existence of exact eigenpairs is proved. The authors consider consistent mass finite element approximations to the variational eigenvalue problem, starting from suitably chosen approximation spaces \(V_h\) of the space \(V\) of trial- and testfunctions. By a proper choice of the basis of \(V_h\), the mass matrix and the stiffness matrix entering the algebraic eigenvalue problem show a particular structure. Error estimates are presented. The authors briefly deal with the effect of numerical quadrature in the finite element approximation. The basic ideas of the analysis are illustrated by an example in 1D.