Multisided macro-element spaces based on Clough-Tocher triangle splits with applications to hole filling (Q2573880)

One of the important problems of practical work in computer aided geometric design is the filling of holes in geometric objects and approximations. To this end, there is a new approach suggested in this paper. It consists of the construction of macro elements from certain superspline spaces which, in turn, are constructed with the help of the Clough-Tocher splitting algorithm. Several examples are presented to show the usefulness of the new macro elements, both for hole-filling and for interpolation. On the theoretical side, the dimension of the spline space is discussed, and minimal determining sets as well as nodal bases are provided. Finally, error estimates are established for the interpolation process.