Explicit 3-D RKPM shape functions in terms of kernel function moments for accelerated computation Original Research Article

The construction of meshless shape functions is more time-consuming than evaluation of FEM shape functions. Therefore, it is of great importance to take measures to speed up the computation of meshless shape functions. 3-D meshless shape functions and their derivatives are, in the context of reproducing kernel particle method (RKPM), expressed explicitly in terms of kernel function moments for the very first time. This avoids solutions of linear algebraic equations and numerical inversions encountered in standard RKPM implementation, thus speeds up computation of meshless shape functions. A numerical test is performed in a hexahedral domain with the mere purpose of comparing the computation time for shape functions construction between the standard RKPM implementation and the enhanced procedure. Then two 3-D elastostatics numerical examples are presented, which demonstrate that the proposed unique treatment of RKPM shape functions is especially effective.