Isoparametric FEM vs. BEM for Elastic Functionally Graded Materials

A Field Boundary Element Method (FBEM) for Functionally Graded Materials (FGM) is presented and compared with Isoparametric Finite Element Method. The presented formulation, using the Kelvin’s fundamental solution, is able to analyse structures although no fundamental solution is actually known. Isoparametric FGM Finite Element Method is a well established tool for FGM structural analysis. The comparison shows that both FBEM and FEM give accurate results. In the paper, the solution of some examples for 2D plates are reported both using FEM and FBEM. Some comparisons with analytical results are discussed and accuracy of the solutions is highlighted. The comparison between FBEM and isoparametric FEM suggest that, in the case of FGM, methods have to be preferred on account of the analysis particular aspects likely for homogeneous problems.