Analysis of finite element approximation and quadrature of Volterra integral equations

Abstract

In this article we study Galerkin finite element approximations to integral equations of the Volterra type. Our prime concern is the noncoercive case, which is not covered by the standard finite element theory. The question of rates of convergence is studied for the case where an exact stiffness matrix is available, as well as the case where the latter is approximated via quadrature rules. The optimality of these rules is also considered from the point of view of the effect the choice of the quadrature has on the overall rate of convergence. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 13: 663–672, 1997