ANALYSIS OF SYMMETRICAL DOMAINS IN ADVANCED APPLICATIONS WITH THE BOUNDARY-ELEMENT METHOD

The strategy in the boundary element method for the analysis of symmet ric domains that does not require the modelling of contours correspond ing to the axes of symmetry is investigated for a number of advanced a pplications. These applications include: treatment of domain readings, two-dimensional time domain transient elastodynamics, and the analysi s of probabilistic problems in elastostatics with a random geometric c onfiguration. Both symmetric as well as arbitrary loadings acting on t he symmetric objects are considered. A number of case studies are pres ented to provide comparisons of computer memory and CPU time requireme nts for the analyses of the entire object versus the analyses of only the symmetric portion of the object. The numerical data presented clea rly demonstrates the advantages of developing efficient symmetric form ulations for advanced applications.