Ciarlet–Raviart mixed finite element approximation for an optimal control problem governed by the first bi-harmonic equation

The Ciarlet–Raviart mixed finite element approximation is constructed to solve the constrained optimal control problem governed by the first bi-harmonic equation. The optimality conditions consisting of the state and the co-state equations is derived. Also, the a priori error estimates are analyzed. In the analysis of the a priori error estimates, the improved convergent rate of the higher order than existed results is proved. Some numerical experiments are performed to confirm the theoretical analysis for the a priori error estimate.