Imposing boundary conditions in Sinc method using highest derivative approximation

Sinc approximate methods are often used to solve complex boundary value problems such as problems on unbounded domains or problems with endpoint singularities. A recent implementation of the Sinc method [Li, C. and Wu, X., Numerical solution of differential equations using Sinc method based on the interpolation of the highest derivatives, Applied Mathematical Modeling 31 (1) 2007 1-9] in which Sinc basis functions are used to approximate the highest derivative in the governing equation of the boundary value problem is evaluated for structural mechanics applications in which interlaminar stresses are desired. We suggest an alternative approach for specifying the boundary conditions, and we compare the numerical results for analysis of a laminated composite Timoshenko beam, implementing both Li and Wu's approach and our alternative approach for applying the boundary conditions. For the Timoshenko beam problem, we obtain accurate results using both approaches, including transverse shear stress by integration of the 3D equilibrium equations of elasticity. The beam results indicate our approach is less dependent on the selection of the Sinc mesh size than Li and Wu's SIHD. We also apply SIHD to analyze a classical laminated composite plate. For the plate example, we experience difficulty in obtaining a complete system of equations using Li and Wu's approach. For our approach, we suggest that additional necessary information may be obtained by applying the derivatives of the boundary conditions on each edge. Using this technique, we obtain accurate results for deflection and stresses, including interlaminar stresses by integration of the 3D equilibrium equations of elasticity. Our results for both the beam and the plate problems indicate that this approach is easily implemented, has a high level of accuracy, and good convergence properties.