A quadratic boundary element implementation in orthotropic elasticity using the real variable approach

This paper revisits the real variable fundamental solution approach to the Boundary Integral Equation (BIE) method in two-dimensional orthotropic elas ticity. The numerical implementation was carried out using quadratic isopar ametric elements. The strong and weakly singular integrals were directly ev aluated using Euler's transformation technique. The limiting process was do ne in intrinsic coordinates and no separate numerical treatment for strong and weak singular integrals was necessary. For strongly singular integrals a priori interpretation of the Cauchy principal value is not necessary. Two problems from plane stress and strain are presented to demonstrate the num erical efficiency of the approach. Excellent agreement between BEM results and exact solutions was obtained even with relatively coarse mesh discretiz ations. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.