On certain formulations of the boundary-elements method (Q1117753)

Variational formulations are proposed for the boundary-element method (BEM) to solve linear problems of elasticity theory with a known Green tensor. Unlike existing BEM formulations utilizing the method of weighted residuals or boundary integral equations, the formulations to be considered use a variational formulation of the problems for boundary functionals [the author, ibid. 44, 1053-1059 (1980; Zbl 0479.73013)] in a set of allowable functions in the form of double-layer potentials whose density is given in the form of BEM basis functions. Also examined is a BEM variational formulation on the basis of minimization problems for Trefftz generalized functionals of the fundamental boundary value problems of linear elasticity theory [the author, USSR Comput. Math. Math. Phys. 16(1976), No.4, 174-184 (1977; Zbl 0357.35074)]. A basis for the formulations is presented. Utilization of the proposed BEM formulations is effective in solving boundary-contact problems; consequently, a numerical realization is examined with an example of a unilateral variational problem (of the generalized Signorini problem type [the author, Prikl. Mat. Mekh. 46, 116-123 (1982; Zbl 0506.73101)]) corresponding to the classical contact problem of inserting a stamp into an elastic half-plane with approximation of the possible contact boundary by isoparametric boundary elements.