On the accuracy of nodal stress computation in plane elasticity using finite volumes and finite elements

This paper addresses accuracy issues of nodal stresses in both finite elements and finite volumes. Strategies to evaluate nodal stresses for finite elements are also briefly discussed. Emphasis is placed on the application of finite volumes to solid mechanics and an overview of recent advancements is presented. Numerical simulation of test problems shows that accuracy of nodal stresses evaluated using finite elements is strongly dependent on the recovery strategy. In all cases, stress recovery at boundary nodal points renders large errors for all non-patch schemes. Contrastingly, finite volumes provide an accurate computation of nodal stresses, including at domain boundaries. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.