Application of the Laplace transform dual reciprocity boundary element method in the modelling of laser heat treatments

The Laplace Transform Dual Reciprocity Boundary Element Method (LTDRM or LT-DRBEM) provides with an alternative numerical technique to finite difference (FDM) or finite element methods (FEM) for solving transient diffusion problems. With this method, solutions are calculated directly at any specific time thus avoiding the use of time-stepping schemes. Besides, domain integrals are removed from the problem formulation. In this work we study the applicability of the LT-DRBEM method for laser heat treatment modelling purposes. A simple model was developed based on a two dimensional transient heat conduction equation, in which the laser beam is included as a heat flux boundary condition of gaussian shape. Results corresponding to a stationary and a moving beam are presented and discussed. Non-linear formulations of the problem as those given by temperature dependent material properties are also considered. Good accuracy results were obtained for the stationary beam approach, whereas severe limitations were found for the moving beam case. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.