On the enriched RBF method for singular potential problems

Abstract

The performance of Kansa’s method in the solution of elliptic partial differential equations (PDEs) with singular boundary conditions is addressed. Like in all global numerical schemes, low-order singularities bring about Gibbs’ oscillations that deteriorate the accuracy and the convergence rate of Kansa’s method to a great extent. Moreover, they may render it uncapable of handling common problems of incompressible flow. Focussing on a problem of Laplacian flow which is linked to the benchmark Motz problem, it is shown how all these difficulties can be overcome by enriching the radial basis function (RBF) interpolant with the proper singularity-capturing terms. This simple modification even enables Kansa’s method to outperform the finite element method (FEM) in the conservation of Laplacian flow through an irregular channel. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.