Two-grid methods for expanded mixed finite element approximations of semi-linear parabolic integro-differential equations

In this paper, we investigate a two grid discretization scheme for semilinear parabolic integro-differential equations by expanded mixed finite element methods. The lowest order Raviart-Thomas mixed finite element method and backward Euler method are used for spatial and temporal discretization respectively. Firstly, expanded mixed Ritz-Volterra projection is defined and the related a priori error estimates are proved. Secondly, a superconvergence property of the pressure variable for the fully discretized scheme is obtained. Thirdly, a two-grid scheme is presented to deal with the nonlinear part of the equation and a rigorous convergence analysis is given. It is shown that when the two mesh sizes satisfy h = H-2, the two grid method achieves the same convergence property as the expanded mixed finite element method. Finally, a numerical experiment is implemented to verify theoretical results of the two grid method. (C) 2018 IMACS. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.