Constructions of some minimal finite element systems

Within the framework of finite element systems, we show how spaces of differential forms may be constructed, in such a way that they are equipped with commuting interpolators and contain prescribed functions, and are minimal under these constraints. We show how various known mixed finite element spaces fulfill such a design principle, including trimmed polynomial differential forms, serendipity elements and TNT elements. We also comment on virtual element methods and provide a dimension formula for minimal compatible finite element systems containing polynomials of a given degree on hypercubes.Comment: Various minor changes, based on suggestions of paper referee

Foundations of finite element methods for wave equations of Maxwell type

The first part of the paper is an overview of the theory of approximation of wave equations by Galerkin methods. It treats convergence theory for linear second order evolution equations and includes studies of consistency and eigenvalue approximation. We emphasize differential operators, such as the curl, which have large kernels and use L2 stable interpolators preserving them. The second part is devoted to a framework for the construction of finite element spaces of differential forms on cellular complexes. Material on homological and tensor algebra as well as differential and discrete geometry is included. Whitney forms, their duals, their high order versions, their tensor products and their hp-versions all fit

Upwinding in finite element systems of differential forms

We provide a notion of finite element system, that enables the construction spaces of differential forms, which can be used for the numerical solution of variationally posed partial difeerential equations. Within this framework, we introduce a form of upwinding, with the aim of stabilizing methods for the purposes of computational uid dynamics, in the vanishing viscosity regime. Published as the Smale Prize Lecture in: Foundations of computational mathematics, Budapest 2011, London Mathematical Society Lecture Note Series, 403, Cambridge University Press, 2013

On the linearization of Regge calculus

We study the linearization of three dimensional Regge calculus around Euclidean metric. We provide an explicit formula for the corresponding quadratic form and relate it to the curlTcurl operator which appears in the quadratic part of the Einstein-Hilbert action and also in the linear elasticity complex. We insert Regge metrics in a discrete version of this complex, equipped with densely defined and commuting interpolators. We show that the eigenpairs of the curlTcurl operator, approximated using the quadratic part of the Regge action on Regge metrics, converge to their continuous counterparts, interpreting the computation as a non-conforming finite element method.Comment: 26 page

Stability of an upwind Petrov Galerkin discretization of convection diffusion equations

We study a numerical method for convection diffusion equations, in the regime of small viscosity. It can be described as an exponentially fitted conforming Petrov-Galerkin method. We identify norms for which we have both continuity and an inf-sup condition, which are uniform in mesh-width and viscosity, up to a logarithm, as long as the viscosity is smaller than the mesh-width or the crosswind diffusion is smaller than the streamline diffusion. The analysis allows for the formation of a boundary layer.Comment: v1: 18 pages. 2 figures. v2: 22 pages. Numerous details added and completely rewritten final proof. 8 pages appendix with old proo

A simplicial gauge theory

We provide an action for gauge theories discretized on simplicial meshes, inspired by finite element methods. The action is discretely gauge invariant and we give a proof of consistency. A discrete Noether's theorem that can be applied to our setting, is also proved.Comment: 24 pages. v2: New version includes a longer introduction and a discrete Noether's theorem. v3: Section 4 on Noether's theorem has been expanded with Proposition 8, section 2 has been expanded with a paragraph on standard LGT. v4: Thorough revision with new introduction and more background materia