An adaptive boundary element method for the solution of potential flow problems

When using the boundary element method, the accuracy of the numerical solution depends critically on the discretization of the boundary into elements (panels), The distribution of the panels is one of the most important decisions taken when analyzing a problem but still the vast majority of users employ empirical guidelines to distribute the panels. This paper uses a combination of a residual error estimation method and h-refinement and h-regeneration adaptive schemes. Numerical results were obtained for infinite fluid flow problems and free surface problems and confirm the reliability and effectiveness of the method. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.