Towards criteria for selecting approximation functions in the Dual Reciprocity Method

Since the publication of a book about the Dual Reciprocity Method in 1992 t here has been much research into the development of approximation functions employed with this method, and many new functions have been proposed. Give n this wealth of new functions, it is important for engineers to be able to identify an adequate function for a given problem. Unfortunately, most aut hors, in proposing functions for use in DRM compare results principally wit h the r function used in the book mentioned above, and which is now conside red to be that which has the worst performance. In view of this six example s are solved here using a wide range of functions and the results obtained with each function compared with the aim of establishing some guidelines fo r selecting the function. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserve d.