A \(p\)-version finite element method for nonlinear elliptic variational inequalities in 2D (Q861656)

This paper deals with the design, analysis, and implementation of a \(p\)-finite element method (FEM) method for nonlinear variational inequalities arising from the obstacle problem for second-order quasi-linear elliptic operators. The solution is approximated by controlling the obstacle condition in images of the Gauss-Lobatto points. In the general case the FEM subspaces can be \(h\), \(p\) or \(hp\). The \(h\)-version FEM obtains the convergence by mesh refinement, whereas the \(p\)-version FEM obtains the convergence by increasing the polynomial degree of the subspace. The authors deduce the existence and the uniqueness of the discrete solution for the \(p\)-version for the obstacle problem. They also prove the convergence with respect to the energy norm, and assuming some additional regularity properties for the original solution, obtain an a priori error estimate which corresponds to the one of \textit{R. S. Falk} for the \(h\)-version [Math. Comput. 28, 963--971 (1974; Zbl 0297.65061)]. Numerical experiments are reported and the authors asserts that the \(p\)-version turns out to be superior to the \(h\)-version concerning the convergence rate and the number of unknowns necessary to get a prescribed exactness of the approximation.