A finite-difference scheme for mixed boundary value problems of arbitrary-shaped elastic bodies

This paper presents a program based on a finite-difference technique, which solves plane stress and plane strain problems of arbitrary shaped elastic bodies with mixed boundary conditions. A new formulation of governing equations in terms of the displacement potential function psi, as introduced by Uddin (Finite difference solution of two-dimensional elastic problems with mixed boundary conditions, MSc Thesis, Carleton University, Canada, 1966), has been used. This formulation has the capability to handle problems of mixed boundary condition, which is beyond the ability of the conventional formulations in terms of Airy's stress function phi. Results found with this program for classical problems are in very good agreement with known solutions. This program can handle practical boundary conditions very efficiently. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.