Nonconforming finite element Stokes complexes in three dimensions

Abstract

Two nonconforming finite element Stokes complexes starting from the conforming Lagrange element and ending with the nonconforming $P_1$-$P_0$ element for the Stokes equation in three dimensions are constructed. And commutative diagrams are also shown by combining nonconforming finite element Stokes complexes and interpolation operators. The lower order $\boldsymbol H(\textrm{grad}\textrm{curl})$-nonconforming finite element only has $14$ degrees of freedom, whose basis functions are explicitly given in terms of the barycentric coordinates. The $\boldsymbol H(\textrm{grad}\textrm{curl})$-nonconforming elements are applied to solve the quad-curl problem, and optimal convergence is derived. By the nonconforming finite element Stokes complexes, the mixed finite element methods of the quad-curl problem are decoupled into two mixed methods of the Maxwell equation and the nonconforming $P_1$-$P_0$ element method for the Stokes equation, based on which a fast solver is discussed. Numerical results are provided to verify the theoretical convergence rates.