Introduction to the web-method and its applications (Q1773959)

The proposed finite element method is based on a tensor product grid, hence no mesh generation is needed. On this grid B-splines are introduced and modified using a positive weight function. Using this weight function boundary conditions are implemented, hence there is no need to start with boundary conforming elements. Suggestions on how to construct such a weight function are given, the treatment of splines with part of their support outside of the computational domain is also discussed. Optimal order of approximation is shown under an assumption of smoothness on the solution and the weight function. The behavior of the method is demonstrated on three applications (Laplace equation, linear elasticity, thin plate model).