Analysis of symmetric domains in advanced applications with the boundary element method

The strategy in the boundary element method for the analysis of symmetric domains that does not require the modelling of contours corresponding to the axes of symmetry is investigated for a number of advanced applications. These applications include: treatment of domain loadings, two‐dimensional time domain transient elastodynamics, and the analysis of probabilistic problems in elastostatics with a random geometric configuration. Both symmetric as well as arbitrary loadings acting on the symmetric objects are considered. A number of case studies are presented to provide comparisons of computer memory and CPU time requirements for the analyses of the entire object versus the analyses of only the symmetric portion of the object. The numerical data presented clearly demonstrates the advantages of developing efficient symmetric formulations for advanced applications.