Convergence and quasi-optimality of an adaptive finite element method for controlling \(L_{2}\) errors (Q623340)

This paper deals with the numerical solution of the Laplace equation with the aid of the finite element method. A contraction property is proved for an adaptive method for controlling the global \(L_{2}\) error on convex polyhedral domains. Furthermore, it is shown that the method converges in \(L_{2}\) with the best possible rate. The analyzed method is the standard adaptive method except that, if necessary, additional refinements are made to keep the meshes sufficiently mildly graded. This modification does not compromise the quasi-optimality of the resulting algorithm.