Superconvergence of $C^0$-$Q^k$ finite element method for elliptic equations with approximated coefficients

Abstract

We prove that the superconvergence of $C^0$-$Q^k$ finite element method at the Gauss Lobatto quadrature points still holds if variable coefficients in an elliptic problem are replaced by their piecewise $Q^k$ Lagrange interpolant at the Gauss Lobatto points in each rectangular cell. In particular, a fourth order finite difference type scheme can be constructed using $C^0$-$Q^2$ finite element method with $Q^2$ approximated coefficients.