Methods of arbitrary optimal order with tetrahedral finite-element meshes forming polyhedral approximations of curved domains

Abstract: In papers the author introduced a simple alternative to isoparametric finite elements of the n-simplex type, to enhance the accuracy of approximations of second-order boundary value problems with Dirichlet conditions, posed in smooth curved domains. This technique is based upon trial-functions consisting of piecewise polynomials defined on straight-edged triangular or tetrahedral meshes, interpolating the Dirichlet boundary conditions at points of the true boundary. In contrast the test-functions are defined upon the standard degrees of freedom associated with the underlying method for polytopic domains. While method's mathematical analysis for both second- and fourth-order problems in two-dimensional domains was carried out in arxiv NA-1701.00663 and in a submitted paper, this article is devoted to the study of the three-dimensional case, in which the method is nonconforming. Well-posedness, uniform stability and optimal a priori error estimates in the energy norm are demonstrated for a tetrahedron-based Lagrange family of finite elements. Novel L2-error estimates for the class of problems considered in this work are also proved. A series of numerical examples illustrates the potential of the new technique. In particular its better accuracy at equivalent cost as compared to the isoparametric technique is highlighted. Moreover the great generality of the new approach is exemplified through a method with degrees of freedom other than nodal values.