Isogeometric analysis using polynomial splines over hierarchical T-meshes for two-dimensional elastic solids

Isogeometric analysis has become a powerful alternative to standard finite elements due to its flexibility in handling complex geometries. One of the major drawbacks of NURBS-based isogeometric finite elements is the inefficiency of local refinement. In this study, we present an alternative to NURBS-based isogeometric analysis that allows for local refinement. The idea is based on polynomial splines and exploits the flexibility of T-meshes for local refinement. The shape functions satisfy important properties such as non-negativity, local support and partition of unity. Several numerical examples are used to demonstrate the reliability of the present method. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.