applications of the scaled boundary finite-element method in modeling geotechnical engineering problems

the scaled boundary finite-element method (sbfem) is a novel semi-analytical technique for numerical simulation of both bounded and unbounded domains. it not only combines many advantages of the finite-element and boundary element methods but also presents appealing features of its own. only the boundary is discretized as in the boundary element method. no fundamental solution is necessary as in the finite element method. this paper reviews the solution procedures of the method for statics, frequency- and time-domain analyses. using numerical examples with emphasis on those possessing unbounded domains, the applications of the method in modeling different geotechnical engineering problems are illustrated.