Error estimation based on superconvergent patch recovery using statically admissible stress fields

In this paper we investigate-an approach for a posteriori error estimation based on recovery of an improved stress field. The qualitative properties of the recovered stress field necessary to obtain a conservative error estimator, i.e. an upper bound on the true error, are given. A specific procedure for recovery of an improved stress field is then developed. The procedure can be classified as Superconvergent Patch Recovery (SPR) enhanced with approximate satisfaction of the interior equilibrium and the natural boundary conditions. Herein the interior equilibrium is satisfied a priori within each nodal patch. Compared to the original SPR-method, which usually underestimates the true error, the present approach gives a more conservative estimate. The performance of the developed error estimator is illustrated by investigating two plane strain problems with known closed-form solutions. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.