A Posteriori Error Analysis for a Lagrange Multiplier Method for a Stokes/Biot Fluid‐Poroelastic Structure Interaction Model

In this work, we develop an a posteriori error analysis of a conforming mixed finite element method for solving the coupled problem arising in the interaction between a free fluid and a fluid in a poroelastic medium on isotropic meshes in ℝd, d ∈ {2, 3}. The approach utilizes a Lagrange multiplier method to impose weakly the interface conditions [Ilona Ambartsumyan et al., Numerische Mathematik, 140 (2): 513‐553, 2018]. The a posteriori error estimate is based on a suitable evaluation on the residual of the finite element solution. It is proven that the a posteriori error estimate provided in this paper is both reliable and efficient. The proof of reliability makes use of suitable auxiliary problems, diverse continuous inf‐sup conditions satisfied by the bilinear forms involved, Helmholtz decomposition, and local approximation properties of the Clément interpolant. On the other hand, inverse inequalities and the localization technique based on simplexe‐bubble and face‐bubble functions are the main tools for proving the efficiency of the estimator. Up to minor modifications, our analysis can be extended to other finite element subspaces yielding a stable Galerkin scheme.