Error estimates for the interpolating moving least-squares method in n-dimensional space

Abstract

In this paper, the interpolating moving least-squares (IMLS) method is discussed in details. A simpler expression of the approximation function of the IMLS method is obtained. Compared with the moving least-squares (MLS) approximation, the shape function of the IMLS method satisfies the property of Kronecker δ function. Then the meshless method based on the IMLS method can overcome the difficulties of applying the essential boundary conditions. The error estimates of the approximation function and its first and second order derivatives of the IMLS method are presented in n-dimensional space. The theoretical results show that if the weight function is sufficiently smooth and the order of the polynomial basis functions is big enough, the approximation function and its partial derivatives are convergent to the exact values in terms of the maximum radius of the domains of influence of nodes. Then the interpolating element-free Galerkin (IEFG) method based on the IMLS method is presented for potential problems. The advantage of the IEFG method is that the essential boundary conditions can be applied directly and easily. For the purpose of demonstration, some selected numerical examples are given to prove the theories in this paper.