On condition numbers in hp-FEM with Gauss–Lobatto-based shape functions

Sharp bounds on the condition number of stiffness matrices arising in hp/spectral discretizations for two-dimensional problems elliptic problems are given. Two types of shape functions that are based on Lagrange interpolation polynomials in the Gauss–Lobatto points are considered. These shape functions result in condition numbers O(p) and O(p ln p) for the condensed stiffness matrices, where p is the polynomial degree employed. Locally refined meshes are analyzed. For the discretization of Dirichlet problems on meshes that are refined geometrically toward singularities, the conditioning of the stiffness matrix is shown to be independent of the number of layers of geometric refinement.