Finite element analysis of convection dominated reaction--diffusion problems. (Q1427209)

The consistent approximate upwind (CAU) method is discussed for the convection dominated reaction-diffusion problem: \[ \gamma\phi+{\mathbf u}\cdot\nabla\phi- \varepsilon\Delta\phi= f\quad\text{in }\Omega;\quad \phi= g\quad\text{on }\Gamma, \] where \(\Omega\subset\mathbb{R}^d\) \((1\leq d\leq 3)\), under the following assumptions: \(0\leq\varepsilon\ll 1\); \({\mathbf u}\in W^{1,\infty}(\Omega)^d:\nabla\cdot{\mathbf u}= 0\), \(\forall x\in \Omega\); \(\gamma\in L^\infty\); \(0\leq\gamma\leq\sigma\); \(g\in L^2(\Gamma)\), \(f\in L^2(\Omega)\). The CAU method is a stabilized finite element method that consistently introduces a nonlinear discontinuity-capturing term that controls the derivatives in the direction of the approximate gradient. The authors present an iterative solution of the nonlinear discrete problem and highlight the role of the intrinsic time scale associated to the CAU operator in the accuracy and stability of the approximate solution. Numerical experiments verify the predicted estimates as regular solutions are concerned. The paper contains a detailed introductory survey and extensive references.