Numerical analysis of optimal control problems governed by fourth‐order linear elliptic equations using the Hessian discretization method

This article focuses on the optimal control problems governed by fourth‐order linear elliptic equations with clamped boundary conditions in the framework of the Hessian discretization method (HDM). The HDM is an abstract framework that enables the convergence analysis of several numerical methods such as the conforming finite element methods, the Adini and Morley nonconforming finite element methods (ncFEMs), the method based on gradient recovery (GR) operators, and the finite volume methods (FVMs). Basic error estimates and superconvergence results are established for the state, adjoint, and control variables. A companion operator for the GR method with specific property is designed. The article concludes with numerical results that illustrate the theoretical convergence rates for GR method, Adini ncFEM, and FVM.