An a priori error estimate for a monotone mixed finite-element discretization of a convection-diffusion problem (Q2480892)

The author presents an exponentially fitted hybridized finite-element method for the convection-diffusion problem \[ \text{ div} \sigma +du = f, \quad \sigma = -a(\nabla u - {\mathbf b}u) \] in a bounded domain \(\Omega \subset \mathbb{R}^{2}\) with mixed Dirichlet-Neumann boundary conditions. It is assumed that \(0\leq d+ \text{ div}(a{\mathbf b})/2\) in \(\Omega\) such that the maximum principle holds for the problem. The hybridized formulation of the mixed method can be written as: Find \( ( {\pmb \sigma}_h, {\mathbf u}_h, {\pmb \lambda}_h)\) such that \[ \left(\begin{matrix} A & -B_1^\top & -C_1^\top \\ B_2 & D & 0 \\ C_2 & 0 & 0 \end{matrix} \right) \left(\begin{matrix} {\pmb \sigma}_h \\ {\mathbf u}_h \\ {\pmb \lambda}_h \end{matrix} \right) = \left( \begin{matrix} F_1 \\ F_2 \\ 0 \end{matrix} \right). \] Note that in general \(B_2 \neq B_1\) and \(C_2 \neq C_1\), i.e. the problem is non-symmetric. As finite elements the so called Marini-Pietra elements are used. The hybridized approach combined with a static condensation circumvents the indefinite linear system that may result when working with a direct mixed discretization. The hybridized method allows to obtain directly a priori error estimates on the Lagrangian multipliers \({\pmb \lambda}_h\), which finally lead to error estimates requiring minimal regularity of \(u\).