Programming the Boundary Element Method: An Introduction for Engineers [Paperback]

Gernot Beer (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471863335 | ISBN-13: 978-0471863335 | Publication Date: May 3, 2001 | Edition: 1

Providing an easy introduction to the boundary element method, this book is ideal for any reader wishing to work in this field or use this method for the solution of engineering problems. From the beginning, the emphasis is on the implementation of the method into computer programs which can be used to solve real problems. The book covers two-andthree-dimensional linear and non-linear analysis in potential flow (heat flow and seepage) and static elasticity. Several computer programs are listed in the book and may be downloaded free of charge via the Internet. They include programs and subroutines for:
* 2-D analysis of potential problems using the Trefftz method
* 2-D and 3-D linear analysis of potential and static elasticity problems using isoparametric elements (single and multiple regions)
* implementation of non-linear problems
* coupling to finite elements
The programs (written in FORTRAN 90) are well documented, and can be employed by the user to gain experience with the method through the solution of small test examples. Furthermore, readers may use them as a starting point for developing their own boundary element package. In addition, exercises are included in most chapters involving the use of the programs with answers given in an Appendix, and a number of interesting industrial applications in the areas of mechanical, civil and geotechnical engineering are presented.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Providing an easy introduction to the boundary element method, this book is ideal for any reader wishing to work in this field or use this method for the solution of engineering problems. From the beginning, the emphasis is on the implementation of the method into computer programs which can be used to solve real problems. The book covers two-andthree-dimensional linear and non-linear analysis in potential flow (heat flow and seepage) and static elasticity. Several computer programs are listed in the book and may be downloaded free of charge via the Internet. They include programs and subroutines for:
* 2-D analysis of potential problems using the Trefftz method
* 2-D and 3-D linear analysis of potential and static elasticity problems using isoparametric elements (single and multiple regions)
* implementation of non-linear problems
* coupling to finite elements
The programs (written in FORTRAN 90) are well documented, and can be employed by the user to gain experience with the method through the solution of small test examples. Furthermore, readers may use them as a starting point for developing their own boundary element package. In addition, exercises are included in most chapters involving the use of the programs with answers given in an Appendix, and a number of interesting industrial applications in the areas of mechanical, civil and geotechnical engineering are presented.

About the Author

GERNOT BEER is Professor of Structural Analysis at the University of Technology Graz, Austria. He has worked in the area of numerical modelling for more than two decades and has done some pioneering work in the coupling of the FEM and BEM. He is the author of the BEFE program, still the only commercial software available which completely integrates both these methods. This is his second book on the topic.

Product Details

• Paperback: 472 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (May 3, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471863335
• ISBN-13: 978-0471863335
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,347,428 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #52 in Books > Computers & Technology > Programming > Languages & Tools > Fortran

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good for student and practitioner, June 27, 2001

By 

Bangyong Keum (Cincinnati, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Programming the Boundary Element Method: An Introduction for Engineers (Paperback)

I am a grduate student. My specific research area is BEM. and I programmed my own c++ code.

If I could get this book earlier, I could have saved a lot of time. By reading this book, reader can find not only detailed information for coding but also clear understanding about BEM.

The impressive points to me are 1) working 2D/3D potential and stress solvable code-there is multi-region version too, excellent explaining about 2)Corner problem, 3)assembly procedure (especially for multi-region problem), 4) programming frieldly math notations, 5) good logical flow of chapters.

The only problem I found is few mistypings. But, it does not prevent me to understand the material.

For engineers in industry, I think they can use the code to solve engineering problem with some modification if they don't have expensive commercial FE package, or use the code to solve linear problems quickly, etc.

As a result, Prof. Beer achieved his goal of writing this book and I hope this book can help to expand the BEM users.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars OK book but not as good as expected, November 2, 2007

By 

Maths Fan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Programming the Boundary Element Method: An Introduction for Engineers (Paperback)

With a bit of knowledge on BEM, I decided to read this book to see if I could learn more, especially on elastomechanics (after reading the 5 star high praise sung by the first reviewer here). The introduction to the method is slow, with discussion on vector algebra, programming, machine precision and things like that in the first few chapters. You see the boundary integral equation (something important in BEM) only after 80 pages (a new learner will probably give up trying to understand what BEM is after so many pages). After that, the narrow focus of the book is on static problems. Maybe it's possible to pick up something on BEM formulation of elasticity, but I doubt it is a good book for new learners of BEM. I would not rate it as high as the first reviewer here: I would consider 3 star a generous rating for the book.