On a method of Atkinson for evaluating domain integrals in the boundary element method (Q1316118)

This paper applies a technique of \textit{K. E. Atkinson} [IMA J. Numer. Anal. 5, 319-338 (1985; Zbl 0576.65114)] to boundary integral methods for the Poisson equation. One limitation of boundary integral methods is that for inhomogeneous problems the source term produces an integral over the entire domain. In the usual formulation based on Green's theorem, this integral has a singularity on the boundary, requiring special treatment for special domains (e.g., at corners). The authors recommend imbedding the domain in a larger ellipsoid, thereby making the region of volume integration regular (the ellipsoid) and making the integral regular. The method is illustrated by a numerical solution of the Poisson equation on a circular disk.