Application of the fast multipole method to hybrid finite element-boundary element models

This paper focuses on the acceleration of the hybrid finite element-boundary element analysis of 2D eddy current problems by means of the fast multipole method. An adaptive truncation scheme for the expansion of the 2D Laplace Green function is proposed. A linear time harmonic test case is considered. The results obtained with the hybrid model, with and without fast multipole acceleration, agree well with those obtained with a finite element model. The computational cost of the three calculations is compared and discussed. The proposed adaptive truncation scheme significantly contributes to the computation time savings achieved with the fast multipole method, particularly when dealing with moderate sized problems. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.