LAUSR

Abstract An improved version of the node-based smoothed point interpolation methods (NSPIMs) is proposed for coupled hydro-mechanical problems of geotechnical engineering. In the improved NSPIMs (I-NSPIMs), the polygonal nodal smoothing domains are estimated with area-equivalent circular domains. The smoothed strains over the circular nodal smoothing domains are then assumed to be linear, in contrast to the constant smoothed strain adopted in the original NSPIMs. The efficiency of the proposed method is investigated through five practical examples, all showing clear superiority of I-NSPIMs over the original formulation of NSPIMs in small deformation problems of geomechanics.