Four-order superconvergent CDG finite elements for the biharmonic equation on triangular meshes.

In a conforming discontinuous Galerkin (CDG) finite element method, discontinuous P k polynomials are employed. To connect discontinuous functions, the inter-element traces, { u h } and { ∇ u h } , are usually defined as some averages in discontinuous Galerkin finite element methods. But in this CDG finite element method, they are defined as projections of a lifted P k + 4 polynomial from four P k polynomials on neighboring triangles. With properly chosen weak Hessian spaces, when tested by discontinuous polynomials, the variation form can have no inter-element integral, neither any stabilizer. That is, the bilinear form is the same as that of conforming finite elements for solving the biharmonic equation. Such a conforming discontinuous Galerkin finite element method converges four orders above the optimal order, i.e., the P k solution has an O (h k + 5) convergence in L 2 -norm, and an O (h k + 3) convergence in H 2 -norm. A local post-process is defined, which lifts the P k solution to a P k + 4 quasi-optimal solution. Numerical tests are provided, confirming the theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]