The choice of spectral element basis functions in domains with an axis of symmetry

New spectral element basis functions are constructed for problems possessing an axis of symmetry. In problems defined in domains with an axis of symmetry there is a potential problem of degeneracy of the system of discrete equations corresponding to nodes located on the axis of symmetry. The standard spectral element basis functions are modified so that the axial conditions are satisfied identically. The modified basis is employed only in spectral elements that are adjacent to the axis of symmetry. This modification of the spectral element method ensures that the nodes are the same in each element, which is not the case in other methods that have been proposed to tackle the problem along the axis of symmetry, and that there are no nodes along the axis of symmetry. The problems of Stokes flow past a confined cylinder and sphere are considered and the performance of the original and modified basis functions are compared.