A spline strip kernel particle method and its application to two-dimensional elasticity problems

In this paper we present a novel spline strip kernel particle method (SSKPM) that has been developed for solving a class of two-dimensional (2D) elasticity problems. This new approach combines the concepts of the mesh-free methods and the spline strip method. For the interpolation of the assumed displacement field, we employed the kernel particle shape functions in the transverse direction, and the B₃-spline function in the longitudinal direction. The formulation is validated on several beam and semi-infinite plate problems. The numerical results of these test problems are then compared with the existing solutions obtained by the exact or numerical methods. From this study we conclude that the SSKPM is a potential alternative to the classical finite strip method (FSM). © 2003 John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.