Approximation theory for the \(hp\)-version finite element method and application to the nonlinear Laplacian (Q1590822)

The nonlinear Laplacian involves the differential equation \(-\nabla \cdot (|\nabla u|^{\alpha -2} \nabla u)=f\) where \(\alpha \in (1,\infty)\) and \(\Omega\) is a polygonal domain. An essential argument is the approximation of singular functions by piecewise polynomials. The authors say that the application to the nonlinear Laplacian follows a method of \textit{J. W. Barrett} and \textit{W. B. Liu} [Math. Comput. 61, No. 204, 523-537 (1993; Zbl 0791.65084)]. A numerical example is presented and the error decreases with a slope that is close to \(-1/2\) in a figure with a double logarithmic scale.