Boundary Element Methods for Engineers:

Part I: Potential Problems

Boundary Element Analysis of Potential Problems

=1

=1

d
1
1
d
d() = ln
d() (2.33)
() +
ln
d()
(,
)
(,
)
d

The functions which have to be integrated in this equation are often referred to as kernels. The forms of
these functions and the methods of evaluating the integrals depend on whether or not the node P and
the point are in the same element.
2.4.1 Points P and Q not in the same element
Taking the general case shown in Figure 2.4, in which P and are not in the same element, the first
kernel is
d
d()

ln

(,)

d
d

(ln = )

1 d
d

(2.34)

RadiusI is simply the scalar distance between P and , and

d
d

the rate of change of distance r with

movement in the direction of the normal . This function has to be integrated over each and every
boundary element. While the potential and potential gradient are assumed to be constant over an
individual element, the fundamental solution and hence kernel function associated with a particular
point P varies over the element.

Figure 2.5 Integration over a typical constant element

Figure 2.5 illustrates the process for a typical element with node as its node. Point is also a node,
say the node numbered ( ) The coefficient of matrix [ ]in Equation 2.30 is therefore
=

d
d()

ln

1
(,)

1 d

d() =
d (2.35)
d

52
Download free eBooks at bookboon.com