A method for the numerical solution of singular integral equations with a principal value integral

Abstract

A method for the numerical solution of singular integral equations with kernels having a singularity of the Cauchy type is presented. The singular behavior of the unknown function is explicitly built into the solution using the index theorem. The integral equation is replaced by integral relations at a discrete set of points. The integrand is then approximated by piecewise linear functions involving the value of the unknown function at a finite set of points. This permits integration in a closed form analytically. Thus the problem is reduced to a system of linear algebraic equations. The results obtained in this way are compared with the more sophisticated procedures based on Gauss-Chebyshev and Lobatto-Chebyshev quadrature formulae. An integral equation arising in a crack problem of the classical theory of elasticity is used for this purpose.