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Consider the Darcy equation, $$\mathbf{v} + \dfrac{k}{\mu_0}\nabla p = \mathbf{f} \\ \mathrm{div}\; \mathbf{v} = 0$$

If the coefficient $k$ is piecewise constant across an interface $\Gamma$ in the domain, we have that

(1) $$\mathrm{jump}(k \cdot p\mathbf{n}) = 0 \rightarrow \mathrm{jump}(k\cdot p) =0 $$ over the interface $\Gamma$

On the other hand, the system can also be written as $$ \mathrm{div}(k \nabla p) = \mu_0f_1 = \mathrm{div}\mathbf{f} $$ in which case the jump condition now is

(2) $$\mathrm{jump}(k \nabla p\cdot\mathbf{n}) = 0$$ over $\Gamma$

I am confused as to how to reconcile the two.

Secondly, does this dictate the choice of finite element spaces used in the solution ? For example, using a piecewise continuous polynomial for $p$ in 1) would be wrong ?

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Your jump condition is wrong. To see this, let's assume for a moment that $\mu=1$ because it plays no real role in your formulation. Then, if you want to integrate the $\nabla p$ term and still want to get a symmetric formulation, you need to start with the first equation in the form $$ k^{-1} \mathbf v + \nabla p = k^{-1} \mathbf f, $$ which ultimately leads to the jump condition $[p]=0$ -- in other words, the pressure must be continuous.

How do you see that this is the right jump condition? Multiply the equation with a test function $\phi$ and integrate over a (arbitrary) part of the domain $\Omega_1$, for example one of the subdomains where $k$ is constant. After integrating by parts, you have $$ (\phi,k^{-1} \mathbf v)_{\Omega_1} - (\nabla\cdot\phi, p)_{\Omega_1} + (\phi,p\mathbf n)_{\partial\Omega_1}= (\phi,k^{-1} \mathbf f)_{\Omega_1}. $$ Now do the same on $\Omega_2=\Omega\backslash\Omega_1$ and you get $$ (\phi,k^{-1} \mathbf v)_{\Omega_2} - (\nabla\cdot\phi, p)_{\Omega_2} + (\phi,p\mathbf n)_{\partial\Omega_2}= (\phi,k^{-1} \mathbf f)_{\Omega_2}. $$ In the last equation, the sign of the normal vector is of course outward from $\Omega_2$, whereas in the first equation it is outward from $\Omega_1$. Now add these two equations together and you get $$ (\phi,k^{-1} \mathbf v)_{\Omega} - (\nabla\cdot\phi, p)_{\Omega} + (\phi,p\mathbf n)_{\partial\Omega} + (\phi,[p]\mathbf n)_{\Gamma} = (\phi,k^{-1} \mathbf f)_{\Omega}, $$ where $\Gamma$ is the interface between $\Omega_1$ and $\Omega_2$ and $[p]$ is the jump of $p$ on the interface. $\mathbf n$ is the normal from $\Omega_1$ info $\Omega_2$.

We could, on the other hand, also have multiplied the original equation by $\phi$ and instead integrated over the entire domain right away. This would have shown that $\mathbf v$ must satisfy the equation $$ (\phi,k^{-1} \mathbf v)_{\Omega} - (\nabla\cdot\phi, p)_{\Omega} + (\phi,p\mathbf n)_{\partial\Omega} = (\phi,k^{-1} \mathbf f)_{\Omega}. $$ Comparing with the equation immediately above, it is clear that we have the condition $$ (\phi \cdot \mathbf n,[p])_{\Gamma} = 0. $$ Because the normal traces $\phi \cdot \mathbf n$ of functions in $H(div)$ are in $L^2(\Gamma)$, this implies that $[p]=0$ in $L^2(\Gamma)$.

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  • $\begingroup$ Oh! I think my understanding of the jump condition itself is an issue. I thought, like the case of discontinuous thermal conductivity in the diffusion equation, the $k$ must appear in the jump condition and must be associated with some kind of flux term. If you could make an explanatory remark, that would be very helpful. $\endgroup$
    – me10240
    Sep 2, 2014 at 1:46
  • $\begingroup$ I've added a longish explanation. The jump conditions are mathematical constructs. They sometimes have physical meaning, but not always. $\endgroup$ Sep 3, 2014 at 12:02

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