On degenerating finite element tetrahedral partitions (Q2676866)

The paper deals with the question of the convergence of the finite element method when the 3D finite elements can possibly degenerate. The authors show that the maximum angle condition presents a threshold property in interpolation theory, as the interpolation error may grow (or at least does not decay) if this condition is violated (which does not necessarily imply that FEM error grows). Moreover, it is demonstrated that the popular red refinements, if done inappropriately, may lead to degenerating partitions which break the maximum angle condition. Finally, it is proved that not all tetrahedral elements from a family of tetrahedral partitions are badly shaped when the discretization parameter tends to zero.