The Complex Variable Boundary Element Method (CVBEM) has emerged as a new and effective modeling method in the field of computational mechanics and hydraulics. The CVBEM is a generalization of the Cauchy integral formula into a boundary integral equation method. The model ing approach by boundary integration, the use of complex variables for two-dimensional potential problems, and the adaptability to now-popular microcomputers are among the factors that make this technique easy to learn, simple to operate, practical for modeling, and efficient in simulating various physical processes. Many of the CVBEM concepts and notions may be derived from the Analytic Function Method (AFM) presented in van der Veer (1978). The AFM served as the starting point for the generalization of the CVBEM theory which was developed during the first author's research engagement (1979 through 1981) at the University of California, Irvine. The growth and expansion of the CVBEM were subsequently nurtured at the U. S. Geological Survey, where keen interest and much activity in numerical modeling and computational mechanics-and-hydraulics are prevalent. Inclusion of the CVBEM research program in Survey's computational-hydraulics projects, brings the modeling researcher more uniform aspects of numerical mathematics in engineering and scientific problems, not to mention its (CVBEM) practicality and usefulness in the hydrologic investigations. This book is intended to introduce the CVBEM to engineers and scientists with its basic theory, underlying mathematics, computer algorithm, error analysis schemes, model adjustment procedures, and application examples.

As well as describing the extremely useful applications of the CVBEM, the authors explain its mathematical background -- vital to understanding the subject as a whole. This is the most comprehensive book on the subject, bringing together ten years of work and can boast the latest news in CVBEM technology. It is thus of particular interest to those concerned with solving technical engineering problems -- while scientists, graduate students, computer programmers and those working in industry will all find the book helpful.

Using the familiar software Microsoft ® Excel, this book examines the applications of complex variables. Implementation of the included problems in Excel eliminates the “black box” nature of more advanced computer software and programming languages and therefore the reader has the chance to become more familiar with the underlying mathematics of the complex variable problems. This book consists of two parts. In Part I, several topics are covered that one would expect to find in an introductory text on complex variables. These topics include an overview of complex numbers, functions of a complex variable, and the Cauchy integral formula. In particular, attention is given to the study of analytic complex variable functions. This attention is warranted because of the property that the real and imaginary parts of an analytic complex variable function can be used to solve the Laplace partial differential equation (PDE). Laplace's equation is ubiquitous throughout science and engineering as it can be used to model the steady-state conditions of several important transport processes including heat transfer, soil-water flow, electrostatics, and ideal fluid flow, among others. In Part II, a specialty application of complex variables known as the Complex Variable Boundary Element Method (CVBEM) is examined. CVBEM is a numerical method used for solving boundary value problems governed by Laplace's equation. This part contains a detailed description of the CVBEM and a guide through each step of constructing two CVBEM programs in Excel. The writing of these programs is the culminating event of the book. Students of complex variables and anyone with an interest in a novel method for approximating potential functions using the principles of complex variables are the intended audience for this book. The Microsoft Excel applications (including simple programs as well as the CVBEM program) covered will also be of interest in the industry, as these programs are accessible to anybody with Microsoft Office.

Seventh International Conference on Boundary Element Technology 'Betech 92', held at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, June 1992

Since its origin in 1978, the International Conference on Boundary Element Methods has provided the recognized and established forum for innovations in boundary element research. Practically all new ideas on boundary ele ments have been presented at these conferences and the resulting papers can be found in the published books. The conference brings together the most renowned scientists and engineers working on boundary element research throughout the world. A unique feature of these meetings is that the participation of younger researchers is actively encouraged by the organizers in an effort to .bring forward to the attention of the international community an ever expanding range of new ideas. This book contains the edited version of the papers presented at the XIIIth BEM Conference held in Tulsa, Oklahoma in August of 1991. The meeting attracted a large number of participants and many excellent contributions which have been divided into nineteen different sections, i.e. Potential Prob lems; Diffusion and Convection Problems; Fluid Mechanics; Fluid Flow; Wave Propagation; Groundwater Flow; Heat Transfer; Electrical Problems; Geomechanics; Plates and Shells; Inelastic Problems; Damage Tolerance; Contact Mechanics; Industrial Applications; Design Sensitivity and Opti mization; Inverse Problems; Special Techniques; Numerical Aspects and Computational Aspects.

Maximizing reader insights into the fundamentals of complex analysis, and providing complete instructions on how to construct and use mathematical tools to solve engineering problems in potential theory, this book covers complex analysis in the context of potential flow problems. The basic concepts and methodologies covered are easily extended to other problems of potential theory. Featuring case studies and problems that aid readers understanding of the key topics and of their application to practical engineering problems, this book is suitable as a guide for engineering practitioners. The complex analysis problems discussed in this book will prove useful in solving practical problems in a variety of engineering disciplines, including flow dynamics, electrostatics, heat conduction and gravity fields.

Boundary Element Method for Plate Analysis offers one of the first systematic and detailed treatments of the application of BEM to plate analysis and design. Aiming to fill in the knowledge gaps left by contributed volumes on the topic and increase the accessibility of the extensive journal literature covering BEM applied to plates, author John T. Katsikadelis draws heavily on his pioneering work in the field to provide a complete introduction to theory and application. Beginning with a chapter of preliminary mathematical background to make the book a self-contained resource, Katsikadelis moves on to cover the application of BEM to basic thin plate problems and more advanced problems. Each chapter contains several examples described in detail and closes with problems to solve. Presenting the BEM as an efficient computational method for practical plate analysis and design, Boundary Element Method for Plate Analysis is a valuable reference for researchers, students and engineers working with BEM and plate challenges within mechanical, civil, aerospace and marine engineering. - One of the first resources dedicated to boundary element analysis of plates, offering a systematic and accessible introductory to theory and application - Authored by a leading figure in the field whose pioneering work has led to the development of BEM as an efficient computational method for practical plate analysis and design - Includes mathematical background, examples and problems in one self-contained resource

This book focuses on the analysis of manufacturing processes and the integration of this analysis into the design cycle. Uniquely, the boundary element method (BEM) is the computational model of choice. This versatile and powerful method has undergone extensive development during the past two decades and has been applied to virtually all areas of engineering mechanics as well as to other fields. Among topics covered are BEM infrastructure, design sensitivity analysis, and detailed discussions of a broad range of manufacturing processes including forming, solidification, machining, and ceramic grinding.

Probabilistic analysis is increasing in popularity and importance within engineering and the applied sciences. However, the stochastic perturbation technique is a fairly recent development and therefore remains as yet unknown to many students, researchers and engineers. Fields in which the methodology can be applied are widespread, including various branches of engineering, heat transfer and statistical mechanics, reliability assessment and also financial investments or economical prognosis in analytical and computational contexts. Stochastic Perturbation Method in Applied Sciences and Engineering is devoted to the theoretical aspects and computational implementation of the generalized stochastic perturbation technique. It is based on any order Taylor expansions of random variables and enables for determination of up to fourth order probabilistic moments and characteristics of the physical system response. Key features: Provides a grounding in the basic elements of statistics and probability and reliability engineering Describes the Stochastic Finite, Boundary Element and Finite Difference Methods, formulated according to the perturbation method Demonstrates dual computational implementation of the perturbation method with the use of Direct Differentiation Method and the Response Function Method Accompanied by a website (www.wiley.com/go/kaminski) with supporting stochastic numerical software Covers the computational implementation of the homogenization method for periodic composites with random and stochastic material properties Features case studies, numerical examples and practical applications Stochastic Perturbation Method in Applied Sciences and Engineering is a comprehensive reference for researchers and engineers, and is an ideal introduction to the subject for postgraduate and graduate students.