Fundamental-solution-based finite element model for plane orthotropic elastic bodies

A new hybrid finite element formulation is presented for solving two-dimensional orthotropic elasticity problems. A linear combination of fundamental solutions is used to approximate the intra-element displacement fields and conventional shape functions are employed to construct elementary boundary fields, which are independent of the intra-element fields. To establish a linkage between the two independent fields and produce the final displacement-force equations, a hybrid variational functional containing integrals along the elemental boundary only is developed. Results are presented for four numerical examples including a cantilever plate, a square plate under uniform tension, a plate with a circular hole, and a plate with a central crack, respectively, and are assessed by comparing them with solutions from ABAQUS and other available results.