Averaging technique for FE - a posteriori error control in elasticity. Part II: lambda-independent estimates

In the second part of our investigation on a posteriori error estimates and a posteriori error control in finite element analysis in elasticity, we fo cus on robust a posteriori error bounds. First we establish a residual-base d a posteriori error estimate which is reliable and efficient up to higher- order terms and lambda -independent multiplicative constants; the Lame cons tant lambda, steers the incompressibility. Second we show the robust effici ency and reliability of averaging techniques in certain norms. Numerical ev idence supports that the reliability of depends on the smoothness of given right-hand sides and is independent of the structure of a shape-regular mes h, (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.