How accurate is the streamline diffusion finite element method?

Zhou, Guohui

doi:10.1090/S0025-5718-97-00788-6

How accurate is the streamline diffusion finite element method?
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Math. Comp. 66 (1997), 31-44 Request permission

Abstract:

We investigate the optimal accuracy of the streamline diffusion finite element method applied to convection–dominated problems. For linear/bilinear elements the theoretical order of convergence given in the literature is either $O(h^{3/2})$ for quasi–uniform meshes or $O(h^2)$ for some uniform meshes. The determination of the optimal order in general was an open problem. By studying a special type of meshes, it is shown that the streamline diffusion method may actually converge with any order within this range depending on the characterization of the meshes.

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