The Scaled Boundary Finite Element Method - by John P Wolf (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A novel computational procedure called the scaled boundary finite-element method is described which combines the advantages of the finite-element and boundary-element methods: Of the finite-element method that no fundamental solution is required and thus expanding the scope of application, for instance to anisotropic material without an increase in complexity and that singular integrals are avoided and that symmetry of the results is automatically satisfied. Of the boundary-element method that the spatial dimension is reduced by one as only the boundary is discretized with surface finite elements, reducing the data preparation and computational efforts, that the boundary conditions at infinity are satisfied exactly and that no approximation other than that of the surface finite elements on the boundary is introduced. In addition, the scaled boundary finite-element method presents appealing features of its own: an analytical solution inside the domain is achieved, permitting for instance accurate stress intensity factors to be determined directly and no spatial discretization of certain free and fixed boundaries and interfaces between different materials is required. In addition, the scaled boundary finite-element method combines the advantages of the analytical and numerical approaches. In the directions parallel to the boundary, where the behaviour is, in general, smooth, the weighted-residual approximation of finite elements applies, leading to convergence in the finite-element sense. In the third (radial) direction, the procedure is analytical, permitting e.g. stress-intensity factors to be determined directly based on their definition or the boundary conditions at infinity to be satisfied exactly.
In a nutshell, the scaled boundary finite-element method is a semi-analytical fundamental-solution-less boundary-element method based on finite elements. The best of both worlds is achieved in two ways: with respect to the analytical and numerical methods and with respect to the finite-element and boundary-element methods within the numerical procedures.
The book serves two goals: Part I is an elementary text, without any prerequisites, a primer, but which using a simple model problem still covers all aspects of the method and Part II presents a detailed derivation of the general case of statics, elastodynamics and diffusion.

From the Back Cover

The Scaled Boundary Finite Element Method describes a fundamental solution-less boundary element method, based on finite elements. As such, it combines the advantages of the boundary element method:
* spatial discretisation reduced by one

* boundary condition at infinity satisfied exactly
with those of the finite element method:
* no fundamental solution required

* no singular integrals

* the processing of anisotropic material without any additional computational effort
Other benefits include the fact that the analytical solution inside the domain permits stress singularities to be determined directly, and also that there is no spatial discretisation of certain boundaries such as crack faces and free surfaces and interfaces between different materials.

The scaled boundary finite element method can be used to analyse any bounded and unbounded media governed by linear elliptic, parabolic and hyperbolic partial differential equations.

The book serves two goals which can be pursued independently. Part I is a primer, with a model problem addressing the simplest wave propagation but still containing all essential features. Part II derives the fundamental equations for statics, elastodynamics and diffusion, and discusses the solution procedures from scratch in great detail.

In summary this comprehensive text presents a novel procedure which will be of interest not only to engineers, researchers and students working in engineering mechanics, acoustics, heat-transfer, earthquake engineering, electromagnetism, and computational mathematics, but also consulting engineers dealing with nuclear structures, offshore platforms, hardened structures, critical facilities, dams, machine foundations and other structures subjected to earthquakes, wave loads, explosions and traffic.

Review Quotes

"... very helpful for anyone who wants to apply this new method... summarises all essentials... self consistent...." (Computational Mechanics, Vol 33, 2004)

"... exceptionally well-written book... needless to say all libraries should have this valuable book...." (Journal of Sound and Vibration, Vol 270, 2004)

About the Author

John P. Wolf is the author of The Scaled Boundary Finite Element Method, published by Wiley.