Improving accuracy and efficiency of stress analysis using scaled boundary finite elements

The scaled boundary finite element method (SBFEM) is a fundamental-solution-less boundary element method, which leads to semi-analytical solutions for stress fields. As only the boundary is discretized, the spatial dimension is reduced by one. In this paper, the SBFEM based polygon elements are utilized to improve the accuracy and efficiency of stress analysis. It retains the attractive feature of the SBFEM in solving problems with unbounded media and singularities. In addition, polygon elements are more flexible in meshing and mesh transition. Various measures which help improving accuracy or efficiency of the stress analysis, i.e. refining polygon mesh, nodal enrichment, appropriate placing of the scaling center, merging polygon elements and NURBS enhanced curved boundaries are discussed and compared. As a result, further insight into the refinement and improvement strategies for stress analysis is provided.