Family of numerical methods based on non-polynomial splines for solution of contact problems

In this paper a new technique based on quartic non-polynomial spline functions connecting spline functions values at mid knots and their corresponding values of the fourth-order derivatives is developed. This approach leads to a family of numerical methods for computing approximations to the solution of a system of fourth-order boundary-value problems associated with obstacle, unilateral, and contact problems. It is shown that the present family of methods gives better approximations. Existing second and fourth-order finite-difference and spline functions based methods developed at mid knots become special cases of the new approach. Numerical examples are given to illustrate applicability and efficiency of the new methods. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.