A domain decomposition algorithm with finite element-boundary element coupling

Abstract

A domain decomposition algorithm coupling the finite element and the boundary element was presented. It essentially involves subdivision of the analyzed domain into sub-regions being independently modeled by two methods, i.e., the finite element method (FEM) and the boundary element method (BEM). The original problem was restored with continuity and equilibrium conditions being satisfied on the interface of the two sub-regions using an iterative algorithm. To speed up the convergence rate of the iterative algorithm, a dynamically changing relaxation parameter during iteration was introduced. An advantage of the proposed algorithm is that the locations of the nodes on the interface of the two sub-domains can be inconsistent. The validity of the algorithm is demonstrated by the consistence of the results of a numerical example obtained by the proposed method and those by the FEM, the BEM and a present finite element-boundary element (FE-BE) coupling method.