Transient heat conduction analysis using the MLPG method and modified precise time step integration method

The meshless local Petrov-Galerkin (MLPG) method in conjunction with the modified precise time step integration method in the time domain is proposed for transient heat conduction analysis in this paper. The MLPG method is often referred to as a truly meshless method because it requires no elements or background cells for either field interpolation or background integration. Local weak forms are developed using weighted residual method locally from the partial differential equation of transient heat conduction. In order to simplify the treatment of essential boundary conditions, the natural neighbour interpolation (NNI) is employed for the construction of trial functions. Moreover, the three-node triangular FEM shape functions are taken as test functions to reduce the order of integrands involved in domain integrals. The semi-discrete heat conduction equation is solved numerically with modified precise time step integration method in the time domain. The availability and accuracy of the present method for transient heat conduction analysis are tested through numerical examples. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.