On the mechanical inconsistency of symmetrization of unsymmetric coupling matrices for BEFEM discretizations of solids (Q1122397)

The present paper is an extension of the paper by the authors [on pp. 241-248 in: T. A. Cruse (ed.), Advanced boundary element methods (1988; Zbl 0645.73035)]. It is organized as follows: At first, a weak form of the traction interface-continuity condition representing the starting point for the local FE method by \textit{H.-B. Li}, \textit{G.-M. Han}, and the first two authors [Comput. Methods Appl. Mech. Eng. 54, 161-185 (1986; Zbl 0566.73070)] is given. Then, the existence of a load potential of the tractions acting on the interface is shown. Thereafter, the weak form of the traction interface-continuity condition is discretized. The resulting unsymmetric coupling matrix is identified as a load-stiffness matrix. Subsequently, the question of symmetricability of this matrix is addressed. The numerical investigation consists of elastic analysis of two problems for which analytical solutions exist. The first problem refers to a solid body in the form of a rectangular prism fixed on one of its surface planes and subjected to nonuniformly distributed shear forces on the opposite surface plane. The second problem deals with a spherical cavity in an infinite solid subjected to a uniaxial tensile stress field at infinity.