Enrichment and coupling of the finite element and meshless methods

A mixed hierarchical approximation based on finite elements and meshless me thods is presented. Two cases are considered. The first one couples regions where finite elements or meshless methods are used to interpolate: continu ity and consistency is preserved. The second one enriches a finite element mesh with particles. Thus, there is no need to remesh in adaptive refinemen t processes. In both cases the same formulation is used, convergence is stu died and examples are shown. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.