Taylor-Hood like finite elements for nearly incompressible strain gradient elasticity problems

We propose a family of mixed finite element that is robust for the nearly incompressible strain gradient model, which is a fourth order singular perturbation elliptic system. The element is similar to the Taylor-Hood element in the Stokes flow. Using a uniform stable Fortin operator for the mixed finite element pairs, we are able to prove the optimal rate of convergence that is robust in the incompressible limit. Moreover, we estimate the convergence rate of the numerical solution to the unperturbed second order elliptic system. Numerical results for both smooth solutions and the solutions with sharp layers confirm the theoretical prediction.