The Streamline–Diffusion Method for Conforming and Nonconforming Finite Elements of Lowest Order Applied to Convection–Diffusion Problems

Abstract

We consider the streamline-diffusion finite element method with finite elements of lowest order for solving convection-diffusion problems. Our investigations cover both conforming and nonconforming finite element approximations on triangular and quadrilateral meshes. Although the considered finite elements are of the same interpolation order their stability and approximation properties are quite different. We give a detailed overview on the stability and the convergence properties in the L ²- and in the streamline–diffusion norm. Numerical experiments show that often the theoretical predictions on the convergence properties are sharp.