An immersed finite element space and its approximation capability

Abstract

Abstract This article discusses an immersed finite element (IFE) space introduced for solving a second‐order elliptic boundary value problem with discontinuous coefficients (interface problem). The IFE space is nonconforming and its partition can be independent of the interface. The error estimates for the interpolation of a function in the usual Sobolev space indicate that this IFE space has an approximation capability similar to that of the standard conforming linear finite element space based on body‐fit partitions. Numerical examples of the related finite element method based on this IFE space are provided. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 20: 338–367, 2004