On boundary conditions in the element-free Galerkin method

 Accurate imposition of essential boundary conditions in the Element Free Galerkin (EFG) method often presents difficulties because the Moving Least Squares (MLS) interpolants, used in this method, lack the delta function property of the usual finite element or boundary element method shape functions. A simple and logical strategy, for alleviating the above problem, is proposed in this paper. A discrete norm is typically minimized in the EFG method in order to obtain certain variable coefficients. The strategy proposed in this work involves a new definition of this discrete norm. This new strategy works very well in all the numerical examples, for 2-D potential problems, that are presented here. In addition to the discussion of boundary conditions, some recommendations are also made in this paper regarding strategies for refinements in order to improve the accuracy of numerical solutions from the EFG method.