On approximating the solution of the non-stationary Stokes equations using the cell discretization algorithm

The cell discretization algorithm, a nonconforming extension of the finite element method, is used to obtain approximations to the velocity and pressure satisfying the nonstationary Stokes equations. Error estimates show convergence of the approximations. An implementation using polynomial bases is described that permits the use of the continuous approximations of the h–p finite element method and exactly satisfies the solenoidal requirement. We express the error estimates in terms of the diameter h of a cell and the degree p of the approximation on each cell. Results of an experiment with p⩽10 are presented that confirm the theoretical estimates.