The neumann series - A new possibility for coupling FEM and BEM

This paper presents a coupling algorithm of the Finite Element Method and the Boundary Element Method within a domain decomposition procedure for solving mixed boundary value problems in elastostatics. A mixed variational formulation on the coupling interfaces leads to the use of non-conforming grids for each substructure (cf. Schnack(1,2,3)), The local BEM problems are solved iteratively by expanding the boundary integral equation in a Neumann series. As a consequence the properties of the coupling operator concerning symmetry and definiteness can be controlled automatically within an adaptive algorithm.