The Finite Element Method on the Sierpinski Gasket

For certain classes of fractal differential equations on the Sierpinski gasket, built using the Kigami Laplacian, we describe how to approximate solutions using the finite element method based on piecewise harmonic or piecewise biharmonic splines. We give theoretical error estimates, and compare these with experimental data obtained using a computer implementation of the method (available at the web site http://mathlab.cit.cornell.edu/∼gibbons). We also explain some interesting structure concerning the spectrum of the Laplacian that became apparent from the experimental data.