The inf-sup condition for low order elements on anisotropic meshes

Abstract

On a large class of two-dimensional anisotropic meshes, the inf-sup condition (stability) is proved for the triangular and quadrilateral finite element pairs suggested by Bernardi/Raugel and Fortin. As a consequence the pairs ${\cal P}_2-{\cal P}_0$, ${\cal Q}_2-{\cal P}_0$, and ${\cal Q}_2^\prime-{\cal P}_0$ turn out to be stable independent of the aspect ratio of the elements.