Boundary Element Methods for Engineers:

Part I: Potential Problems

Introduction

Well-established types of numerical technique include the finite difference, finite volume and finite
element methods. In all these methods, the distributions of the variables are obtained as approximate
values at a large, but finite, number of discrete points over the entire region of interest, the solution
domain. Despite some significant differences these methods are very similar in this important respect,
and may be described as domain methods. In boundary methods, on the other hand, the primary results
are the distributions of the variables on the boundary of the solution domain only, again defined in terms
of values at a finite number of points. The most widely used name for such boundary-based techniques
is the boundary element method. Another is the boundary integral equation (BIE) method, reflecting
the fact that the differential equation governing the physical process throughout the solution domain is
transformed into an integral equation applied to the boundary alone.
The object of this book is to provide a simple treatment of the fundamentals, numerical implementation
and some of the applications of boundary element methods to continuum mechanics problems in
engineering. Part I is concerned with problems which fall into the category known as potential problems,
while Part II deals with stress analysis of elastic solids.

1.1

Continuum Mechanics Problems

The concept of treating solids and fluids as though they are continuous media, rather than composed of
discrete molecules, is one that is widely used in most branches of engineering. In this section, the basic
equations of continuum mechanics are reviewed.
The mathematical equations for the deformation of solids are very similar in form to those for the flow of
fluids. The essential difference is that solid behaviour is described in terms of displacements and strains,
but for fluids velocities and strain rates are the corresponding variables. Equations are presented here
for Cartesian co-ordinate systems, first in their full three-dimensional forms. Problems considered in
this book are two-dimensional, allowing further simplification of the equations.
1.1.1

Stresses and strains

The symbol is used to indicate stress, and individual components are indicated by double subscripts

GLUHFWVWUHVVHV 

VKHDUVWUHVVHV 

The first subscript defines the direction of the stress component, and the second one denotes the direction
of the outward normal to the surface on which it acts, as shown in Figure 1.1. For any small element of
material to be in equilibrium in a rotational sense, the shear stresses must be complementary

     (1.1)

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