Stable fully discrete finite element methods with BGN tangential motion for Willmore flow of planar curves (Q6897809)

Two energy-stable fully discrete schemes are propsed for Willmore flow of planar curves. They are based on a weak formulation that involves an evolution equation for the curvature together with the Barrett, Garcke and Nürnberg (BGN) formulation in [\textit{J. W. Barrett} et al., J. Comput. Phys. 222, No. 1, 441--467 (2007; Zbl 1112.65093)] of the curvature identity. Piecewise linear elements are used in space to obtain a semidiscrete scheme, which satisfies a stability bound and an equidistribution property. The first scheme is linear and unconditionally stable in terms of a discrete energy. The second scheme is mildly nonlinear and unconditional energy stable. Several numerical examples confirm the numerical accuracy and strong performance of the two schemes.