Mortar multiscale finite element methods for Stokes–Darcy flows

Abstract

We investigate mortar multiscale numerical methods for coupled Stokes and Darcy flows with the Beavers---Joseph---Saffman interface condition. The domain is decomposed into a series of subdomains (coarse grid) of either Stokes or Darcy type. The subdomains are discretized by appropriate Stokes or Darcy finite elements. The solution is resolved locally (in each coarse element) on a fine scale, allowing for non-matching grids across subdomain interfaces. Coarse scale mortar finite elements are introduced on the interfaces to approximate the normal stress and impose weakly continuity of the normal velocity. Stability and a priori error estimates in terms of the fine subdomain scale $$h$$ h and the coarse mortar scale $$H$$ H are established for fairly general grid configurations, assuming that the mortar space satisfies a certain inf-sup condition. Several examples of such spaces in two and three dimensions are given. Numerical experiments are presented in confirmation of the theory.