Numerical implementations of the FEM‐DBCI integral equation

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to discuss various numerical implementations of the integral equation in the hybrid finite element method‐Dirichlet boundary condition iteration (FEM‐DBCI) method for the numerical solution of unbounded static and quasi‐static electromagnetic field problems.Design/methodology/approachThree numerical implementations are described and compared from the point of view of accuracy and complexity, by means of two examples regarding simple electrostatic problems.FindingsThe implementation by means of a pair of integration surfaces made of element sides leads to accuracy levels which are much better than that of a single surface (made of element sides) and only a little worse than that of a single surface connecting point in the middle of finite element sides.Practical implicationsThe former implementations, however, are simpler since they are practically the same as that of a standard boundary element method integral equation.Originality/valueThe paper constitutes a useful guide to the implementation of the FEM‐DBCI method.