Solving Wiener-Hopf problems without kernel factorization

A new approach to solving problems of Wiener-Hopf type is expounded by showing its implementation in two concrete and typical examples from fluid mechanics. The new method adapts mathematical ideas underlying the so-called unified transform method due to A. S. Fokas and collaborators in recent years. The method has the key advantage of avoiding what is usually the most challenging part of the usual Wiener-Hopf approach: the factorization of kernel functions into sectionally analytical functions. Two example boundary value problems, involving both harmonic and biharmonic fields, are solved in detail. The approach leads to fast and accurate schemes for evaluation of the solutions.