Approximation capability of a bilinear immersed finite element space

Abstract

Abstract This article discusses a bilinear immersed finite element (IFE) space for solving second‐order elliptic boundary value problems with discontinuous coefficients (interface problem). This is a nonconforming finite element space and its partition can be independent of the interface. The error estimates for the interpolation of a Sobolev function indicate that this IFE space has the usual approximation capability expected from bilinear polynomials. Numerical examples of the related finite element method are provided. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 2008