On the a priori and a posteriori error analysis of a two-fold saddle-point approach for nonlinear incompressible elasticity

In this paper, we reconsider the a priori and a posteriori error analysis of a new mixed finite element method for nonlinear incompressible elasticity with mixed boundary conditions. The approach, being based only on the fact that the resulting variational formulation becomes a two-fold saddle-point operator equation, simplifies the analysis and improves the results provided recently in a previous work. Thus, a well-known generalization of the classical Babuška–Brezzi theory is applied to show the well-posedness of the continuous and discrete formulations, and to derive the corresponding a priori error estimate. In particular, enriched PEERS subspaces are required for the solvability and stability of the associated Galerkin scheme. In addition, we use the Ritz projection operator to obtain a new reliable and quasi-efficient a posteriori error estimate. Finally, several numerical results illustrating the good performance of the associated adaptive algorithm are presented. Copyright 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.