The multi-domain boundary contour method for interface and dissimilar material problems

Abstract

A variant of the boundary element method, called the boundary contour method (BCM), offers a further reduction in dimensionality. Consequently, boundary contour analysis of 2-D problems does not require any numerical integration at all. The method is thus very computationally effective and accurate as shown in previous related studies. This paper presents a further development of the BCM for multi-domain analysis in 2-D elasticity (multi-domain boundary contour method or MBCM), with potential applications to interface and dissimilar material problems, such as those involving composite materials and bimaterial interface cracks. The primary contribution of this paper is an introduction of a multi-domain technique capable of dealing with a general type of displacement and traction compatibility conditions on the interface(s), including those that arise from structures in which the materials are press-fitted together, and from thermoelasticity in dissimilar materials. Some numerical tests conducted within this work suggest that the proposed multi-domain technique is simple, robust and accurate for bimaterial stress analysis, and also able to provide highly accurate results of both the stress intensity factors K 1 and K 2 for bimaterial interface crack problems.