Adaptive finite element simulation of incompressible flows by hybrid continuous-discontinuous Galerkin formulations

Abstract

In this work we design hybrid continuous-discontinuous finite element spaces that permit discontinuities on non-matching element interfaces of non-conforming meshes. Then, we develop an equal-order stabilized finite element formulation for incompressible flows over these hybrid spaces, which combines the element interior stabilization of SUPGtype continuous Galerkin formulations and the jump stabilization of discontinuous Galerkin formulations. Optimal stability and convergence results are obtained. For the adaptive setting, we use an standard error estimator and marking strategy. Numerical experiments show the optimal accuracy of the hybrid algorithm both for uniformly and adaptively refined non-conforming meshes. The outcome of this work is a finite element formulation that can naturally be used on nonconforming meshes, as discontinuous Galerkin formulations, while keeping the much lower CPU cost of continuous Galerkin formulations.