The Gradient Superconvergence of Bilinear Finite Volume Element for Elliptic Problems

Abstract

We study the gradient superconvergence of bilinear finite volume element (FVE) solving the elliptic problems. First, a superclose weak estimate is established for the bilinear form of the FVE method. Then, we prove that the gradient approximation of the FVE solution has the superconvergence property: $\max_{P\in S}|(\nabla u-\overline{\nabla}u_h)(P)|=O(h^2)|\ln h|$, where $\overline{\nabla}u_h(P)$ denotes the average gradient on elements containing point $P$ and $S$ is the set of optimal stress points composed of the mesh points, the midpoints of edges and elements.