Error criterion - error map
Introduction
The finite element method is based on a division of the modelling space (the mesh). Quality and accuracy of result is dependent of the adequacy between the mesh and the physical phenomenon to be modelled. The finite element method is consistent. It means the precision is increased when the mesh is increased. Nevertheless increasing in a consequent way the number of mesh element is not always a practicable numerical solution (for computation time cost) and it is often not an efficient solution if we do not have any idea where we should refine the mesh in priority.
The error criterion provide two essential tools that will help you to analyse the quality of a finite element solution:
- An error map that gives a local overview of the error.
- A global error on every region that allows comparing two solutions obtained on two different meshes.
This section provides some information to explain the basic theoretical concept of the method. You will find also some indications on how to use it in Flux, and finally tips and tricks about the using of these different error criterions.