Combining Finite Element and Boundary Element Analyses

Two methods of combining FEA and BEA are described. The first method, called structural zooming, uses a coarse FE model to compute boundary conditions for a refined BE model of an area of interest. An automated procedure for interpolating the FEA results to obtain the BEA boundary conditions is demonstrated.

The second method, in which the FEA and BEA solutions are coupled, uses BEA to generate a stiffness matrix which is combined with the FEA stiffness matrix. The accuracy and practicality of this method are demonstrated using commercially-available FEA and BEA programs.