The sub-domain techniques in the BEM are nowadays finding its place in the toolbox of numerical modellers, especially when dealing with complex 3D problems. We see their main application in conjunction with the classical BEM approach, which is based on a single domain, when part of the domain needs to be solved using a single domain approach, the classical BEM, and part needs to be solved using a domain approach. This has usually been done in the past by coupling the BEM with the FEM, however, it is much more efficient to use a combination of the BEM and a BEM sub-domain technique. The advantage arises from the simplicity of coupling the single domain and multi-domain solutions, and from the fact that only one formulation needs to be developed, rather than two separate formulations based on different techniques. There are still possibilities for improving the BEM sub-domain techniques. However, considering the increased interest and research in this approach we believe that BEM sub-domain techniques will become a logical choice in the future substituting the FEM whenever an efficient solution requires coupling of the BEM with a domain technique.

The purpose of this book is to introduce a boundary integral method based on domain partition for the solution of nonlinear fluid mechanics problems including non-Newtonian applications. In the present work, the Dual Reciprocity Method has been improved by paritioning the domain into smaller sub-domains, and in each sub-domain the Dual Reciprocity Method was applied to obtain an expression for the velocity field only in terms of boundary integrals. Several numerical examples are presented including Newtonian flow at high Reynolds numbers and non Newtonian flow of polymers inside complex geometry.

Covering the latest developments in the field of boundary elements, this work contains a selection of papers presented at the 21st International Conference on the topic. The 70 papers have been contributed by researchers from many countries and are divided under various headings.