Three-dimensional heat conduction analysis of inhomogeneous materials by triple-reciprocity boundary element method

Abstract

Homogeneous heat conduction can be easily analyzed by the boundary element method. However, domain integrals are generally necessary to solve the heat conduction problem in non-homogeneous and functionally gradient materials. This paper shows that the three-dimensional heat conduction problem in non-homogeneous and functionally gradient materials can be solved approximately without the use of a domain integral by the triple-reciprocity boundary element method. In this method, the distribution of domain effects is interpolated using integral equations. A new computer program is developed and applied to several problems.