FEM-BEM Coupling

The advantages of FEM and BEM

coupling has been investigated
extensively in several engineering fields,
such as geomechanics , and
electromagnetics and there are several
different methods of coupling BEM and
FEM
Dr. Hatem R. Wasmi
A. Prof. in applied Mechanics

FINITE ELEMENT method

General characteristics
Continuous (but not smooth) base as well
as weighting functions
Suitable for complicated geometries and
structural problems
Combination of fluid and structures (solidfluid interaction)

FINITE ELEMENT method

Base functions Ni(x), Ni(x,y) or Ni(x,y,z) and corresponding weight functions
are defined in each finite element (section, triangle, cube) separately as a
polynomial (linear, quadratic,). Continuity of base functions is assured by
connectivity at nodes. Nodes xj are usually at perimeter of elements and are
shared by neighbours.
Base function Ni (identical with weight function wi) is associated with node
Ni ( x j ) ij
xi and must fulfill the requirement:
(base function is 1 in
associated node, and 0 at all other nodes)
In CFD (2D flow) velocities are approximated by quadratic polynomial (6
coefficients, therefore 6 nodes ) and pressures by linear polynomial (3
coefficients and nodes ). Blue nodes
are prescribed at boundary.
y

Verify number
of coeffs.!

3
6
5
1

FINITE ELEMENT example

2T 2T
2 f ( x, y )
2
y
x

Poissons equation

MWR and application of Greens theorem

Derive Greens
theorem!

2T 2T
w T w T
w( y 2 x 2 f ( x, y))d ( x x y y wf ( x, y))d 0
Base functions are identical with weight function (Galerkins method)

T ( x) T j N j ( x)

wi(x)=Ni(x)

Resulting system of linear algebraic equations for Ti

N i N j N i N j
(

)dT j N i fd

x
y y
j 1 x

A T N
j 1

ij

fd

BOUNDARY element method

General characteristics

Analytical (therefore continuous) weighting

functions. Method evolved from method of
singular integrals (BEM makes use analytical
weight functions with singularities, so called
fundamental solutions).
Suitable for complicated geometries (potential
flow around cars, airplanes )
Meshing must be done only at boundary. No
problems with boundaries at infinity.
Not so advantageous for nonlinear problem.

BOUNDARY element example

Poissons equation

2T 2T
2 f ( x, y )
2
y
x

WR and application of Greens theorem twice (second

derivatives transferred to w)
T w T w
T
T
Greens
(

)dxdy (n x
ny
) wd fwdxdy
x x y y
x
y

theorem!
2w 2w
T
w
T
w
T
(

)
dxdy

(
n
(
w

T
)

n
(
w

T
x 2 y 2
x x x y y y ))d fwdxdy

Weight functions are solved as a fundamental solution of adjoined equation

2 wi 2 wi
2 ( x xi , y yi )
x 2
y

Singularity: Delta function at a point

xi,yi

Solution (called Greens function) is

1
1
wi ( x, y )
ln
2 ri

Delta function!

ri ( x xi ) 2 ( y yi ) 2 Verify!

BOUNDARY element example

2w 2w
T
w
T
w
T
(

)
dxdy

(
n
(
w

T
)

n
(
w

T
x 2 y 2
x x x y y y ))d fwdxdy
Substituting w=wi (Greens function at point i)

T ( xi , yi ) [ wi (n x

w
w
T
T
ny
) T (n x i n y i )]d fwi dxdy
x
y
x
y

Solution T at arbitrary point xi,yi is expressed in terms of boundary values

N

T ( ) T j N j ( )
j 1

N
T
() Tnj N j ()
n
j 1

1 (fixed T)
2 (normal

derivative)
At any boundary point must
be specified either T or
normal derivative of T, not
both simultaneously.

BOUNDARY element example

Values at boundary nodes not specified as
boundary conditions must be evaluated from the
following system of algebraic equations:
0 [Tnj wi T j (n x

wi
wi
ny
)]N j d fwi dxdy
x
y

wi
wi
Tnj wi N j d T j (n x
ny
) N j d fwi dxdy

2 (normal
derivative)

1 (fixed T)

FEM-BEM coupling
This problem is closely related to the multi-region
problem of the BE method such as presented in
Figure 1. The multi-region analysis has to fulfil
continuity and equilibrium conditions along the
interface line between and regions.