Error estimation and quality control

Abstract

This chapter provides a description of the error assessment tools available for general finite element analysis, in particular those for solid and structural mechanics. The text focuses on goal-oriented error estimation, in terms of general quantities of interest rather than on energy norm. However, the energy norm estimates are also discussed because they are seen as basic tools that must be used for assessing the error in arbitrary functional outputs of the solution. Attention is paid to the classification of the different methodologies and their main characteristics.