On the validity of conforming BEM algorithms for hypersingular boundary integral equations

The widely held notion that the use of standard conforming isoparametric boundary elements may not be used in the solution of hypersingular integral equations is investigated. It is demonstrated that for points on the boundary where the underlying field is C ^1,α continuous, a class of rigorous nonsingular conforming BEM algorithms may be applied. The justification for this class of algorithms is interpreted in terms of some recent criticism. It is shown that the numerical integration in these conforming BEM algorithms using relaxed regularization represents a finite approximation to the standard two-sided Hadamard finite part interpretation of hypersingular integrals. It is also shown that the integration schemes in this class of algorithms are not based upon one-sided finite part interpretations. As a result, the attendant ambiguities associated with the incorrect use of the one-sided interpretations in boundary integral equations pose no problem for this class of algorithms. Additionally, the distinction is made between the analytic discontinuities in the field which place limitations on the applicability of the conforming BEM and the discontinuities resulting from the use of piece-wise C ^1,α interpolations.