C-2-continuous elements for boundary element analysis

Overhauser's original idea of linearly blending two sets of quadratic C0-continuous basis functions to produce a set of C1-continuous basis functions is employed by linearly blending two sets of quadratic C1-continuous basis functions. The result is a set of eight basis functions which are C2-continuous from element to element and can be used for boundary element analysis where post-processing of the solution is required. Solutions to Laplaces equation in simple geometries are used to demonstrate the accuracy of the solutions obtained with the new elements. These new elements also provide more accurate values for the first and second derivatives of the solution in the tangential direction at all points on a smooth boundary and good approximations at corner points. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.