This book is devoted to the mathematical analysis of the numerical solution of boundary integral equations treating boundary value, transmission and contact problems arising in elasticity, acoustic and electromagnetic scattering. It serves as the mathematical foundation of the boundary element methods (BEM) both for static and dynamic problems. The book presents a systematic approach to the variational methods for boundary integral equations including the treatment with variational inequalities for contact problems. It also features adaptive BEM, hp-version BEM, coupling of finite and boundary element methods – efficient computational tools that have become extremely popular in applications. Familiarizing readers with tools like Mellin transformation and pseudodifferential operators as well as convex and nonsmooth analysis for variational inequalities, it concisely presents efficient, state-of-the-art boundary element approximations and points to up-to-date research. The authors are well known for their fundamental work on boundary elements and related topics, and this book is a major contribution to the modern theory of the BEM (especially for error controlled adaptive methods and for unilateral contact and dynamic problems) and is a valuable resource for applied mathematicians, engineers, scientists and graduate students.

This introductory course on the classical Boundary Element Method also contains advanced topics such as the Dual Reciprocity and the Hybrid Boundary Element Methods. The latter methods are extensions that permit the application of BME to anisotropic materials, as well as multi-field problems and fluid-structure interaction. The class-tested textbook offers a clear and easy-to-understand introduction to the subject, including worked-out examples that describe all the basic features of the method. The first two chapters not only establish the mathematical basis for BEM but also review the basics of continuum mechanics for field problems, perhaps a unique feature for a text on numerical methods. This helps the reader to understand the physical principles of the field problems, to apply the method judiciously, and toe critically evaluate the results.

The finite element and the boundary element methods are the two most important developments in numerical mathematics to occur in this century. Many engineering and mathematics graduate curricula now include a course in boundary element methods. Such a course must cover numerical methods, basic methodology to real problems, and interactive computer usage. Both theory and applications, necessary for applied courses, are available in this new textbook. An Introduction to Boundary Element Methods is logically organized and easy to read. The topics are carefully selected and meticulously presented. Applications are described for use in identifying potential problems and for heat transfer, diffusion equations, linear elasticity, water waves, ocean acoustics, acoustic scattering, aerodynamics, porous media, and simple laminar flows. More than 20 computer subroutines help develop and explain the computational aspect of the subject. Hundreds of figures, exercises, and solved examples supplement text and help clarify important information. The computer programs have been tested on some benchmark problems. Even in single precision the results are more accurate and better than those obtained from available Fortran programs.

The IUTAM Symposium on Advanced Boundary Element Methods brought together both established and current researchers in the broad context of applications of BEM technology. The goal of the Symposium was to provide both a formal and an informal forum for the interchange of ideas and the stimulation of new research directions.