A Robust Finite Element Method for a 3-D Elliptic Singular Perturbation Problem

Abstract

This paper proposes a robust finite element method for a three-dimensional fourth-order elliptic singular perturbation problem. The method uses the three-dimensional Morley element and replaces the finite element functions in the part of bilinear form corresponding to the second-order differential operator by a suitable approximation. To give such an approximation, a convergent nonconforming element for the second-order problem is constructed. It is shown that the method converges uniformly in the perturbation parameter.