Convergence of the Neumann Series in BEM for the Neumann Problem of the Stokes System

Abstract

A weak solution of the Neumann problem for the Stokes system in Sobolev space is studied in a bounded Lipschitz domain with connected boundary. A solution is looked for in the form of a hydrodynamical single layer potential. It leads to an integral equation on the boundary of the domain. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the solvability of the problem are given. Moreover, it is shown that we can obtain a solution of this integral equation using the successive approximation method. Then the consequences for the direct boundary integral equation method are treated. A solution of the Neumann problem for the Stokes system is the sum of the hydrodynamical single layer potential corresponding to the boundary condition and the hydrodynamical double layer potential corresponding to the trace of the velocity part of the solution. Using boundary behavior of potentials we get an integral equation on the boundary of the domain where the trace of the velocity part of the solution is unknown. It is shown that we can obtain a solution of this integral equation using the successive approximation method.