Boundary Element Method

The Boundary Element Method (BEM) is a numerical technique that solves partial differential equations by transforming them into boundary integral equations, requiring discretization only of the problem boundary rather than the entire domain. Developed systematically by Carlos Brebbia in the late 1970s, BEM offers significant advantages for infinite or semi-infinite domains, stress concentration analysis, and problems with high aspect ratios. It is especially valuable in geotechnical engineering, acoustics, and materials characterization.