The equilibrium boundary element method in boundary-value problems of elasticity theory

An equilibrium boundary element method is proposed for solving boundary-value problems in the theory of elasticity, thermo-elasticity, the dynamical theory of elasticity, bar torsion calculations, and the bending of a plate. The idea is to use simultaneously the method of constructing bundles of functions which exactly satisfy the equilibrium equations, the boundary variational equations of mechanics, and the methods of discrete finite-element approximation. The variational method of constructing the resolving boundary equations ensures that the linear system is symmetric and easily coupled to the finite-element method. Since volume integrals are eliminated the dimensions of the problem are reduced by one, but, unlike the boundary element method, there is no need to know the fundamental solutions. The solution of some bar torsion and plate bending problems confirms the high numerical efficiency of the method.