Dispersion analysis of a non-conforming finite element method for the Helmholtz and elastodynamic equations

We investigate the dispersive properties of a non‐conforming finite element method to solve the two‐dimensional Helmholtz and elastodynamics equations. The study is performed by deriving and analysing the dispersion relations and by evaluating the derived quantities, such as the dimensionless phase and group velocities. Also the phase difference between exact and numerical solutions is investigated. The studied method, which yields a linear spatial approximation, is shown to be less dispersive than a conforming bilinear finite element method in the two cases shown herein. Moreover, it almost halves the number of points per wavelength necessary to reach a given accuracy when calculating the mentioned velocities in both cases here presented. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.