Abstract :
In this paper, the Boundary Element Method (BEM) for 3-D elastostatic problems is studied for the analysis
of shell or shell-like structures. It is shown that the conventional boundary integral equation (CBIE) for 3-D
elasticity does not degenerate when applied to shell-like structures, contrary to the case when it is applied to
crack-like problems where it does degenerate due to the closeness of the two crack surfaces. The treatment of
the nearly singular integrals, which is a crucial step in the applications of BIEs to thin shapes, is presented
in detail. To verify the theory, numerical examples of spherical and ellipsoidal vessels are presented using
the BEM approach developed in this paper. It is found that the system of equations using the CBIE
is well conditioned for all the thickness studied for the vessels. The advantages, disadvantages and
potential applications of the proposed BEM approach to shell-like structures, as compared with the
FEM regarding modelling and accuracy, are discussed in the last section. Applications of this BEM
approach to shell-like structures with non-uniform thickness, sti¤eners and layers will be reported in
a subsequent paper
