The possibility of deriving finite element models from the boundary element discretization is studied. By referring to plane elastic problems, a finite element is constructed using the symmetrical Galerkin formulation of the boundary element method. Displacements and tractions are approximated over the boundary by polynomial functions. The element strain energy is written in terms of displacement parameters, by condensing the tractions by means of the weighted boundary integral equations. The paper pays attention to the computational aspects involved in the actual construction of the stiffness matrix. The double integrations required to evaluate the stiffness coefficients are developed in analytical form and a limit process is used to compute the terms associated to overlapping elements.

purchase the full-text of this paper (price £20)

go to the previous paper
go to the next paper
return to the table of contents
return to the book description
purchase this book (price £76 +P&P)