Mixed virtual element methods for general second order elliptic problems on polygonal meshes (Q2814655)

In an earlier paper [Math. Models Methods Appl. Sci. 26, No. 4, 729--750 (2016; Zbl 1332.65162)], the present authors analyzed diffusion-convection-reaction problems with variable coefficients in the primal form. The aim of this paper is to design and analyze some aspects of the use of virtual element methods (VEM) (see [the authors, Math. Models Methods Appl. Sci. 23, No. 1, 199--214 (2013; Zbl 1416.65433)], for the approximate solution of general linear second-order elliptic problems. In this study, they deal with the mixed formulation of VEM that is proposed and analyzed here for dealing with variable coefficients based on \(L_2\) projection operators in a rather systematic way. The two-dimensional case is presented with the observation that the passage from two to three dimensions for the case considered here can be completed easily. Finally it is concluded that the VEM behaves as expected and shows a remarkable stability with respect to the shape of the mesh polygons.