Numerical implementations of the FEM‐DBCI integral equation

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss various numerical implementations of the integral equation in the hybrid finite element method‐Dirichlet boundary condition iteration (FEM‐DBCI) method for the numerical solution of unbounded static and quasi‐static electromagnetic field problems.

Design/methodology/approach

Three numerical implementations are described and compared from the point of view of accuracy and complexity, by means of two examples regarding simple electrostatic problems.

Findings

The implementation by means of a pair of integration surfaces made of element sides leads to accuracy levels which are much better than that of a single surface (made of element sides) and only a little worse than that of a single surface connecting point in the middle of finite element sides.

Practical implications

The former implementations, however, are simpler since they are practically the same as that of a standard boundary element method integral equation.

Originality/value

The paper constitutes a useful guide to the implementation of the FEM‐DBCI method.

Citation

Alfonzetti, S., Aiello, G., Dilettoso, E. and Salerno, N. (2008), "Numerical implementations of the FEM‐DBCI integral equation", COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering, Vol. 27 No. 4, pp. 879-886. https://doi.org/10.1108/03321640810878298