Fundamental solutions and numerical methods for flow problems

An approach for the numerical solution of flow problems based on the concept of fundamental solutions of differential equations is described. This approach uses the finite element methodology but does not rely on the concept of variational principle or that of residuals. The approach is shown to be well‐suited for many types of flow problems. Various applications of this approach are discussed in this paper, with particular emphasis placed on the solution of potential flows and viscous flows containing appreciable regions of separation.