Numerical evaluation of eigenvalues in notch problems using a region searching method

This paper presents a method for finding the eigenvalues of some equations, or the zeros of analytic functions. There are two steps in the method. In the first step, integration along the edges of rectangle for an analytic function is performed. From the result of integration, one can know whether the zero exists in the rectangle or not. If the zero of an analytic function exists in the rectangle, we can perform the second step. In the second step, the zero is obtained by iteration. Therefore, the method is called a region searching method. Particular advantage of the suggested method is that the process for finding zero can be visualized. For example, one can clearly indicate the rectangles, which contain the zeros of an analytic function. Three numerical examples are presented. The obtained results are satisfactory even for a complicated case, for example, for finding eigenvalues of a composed wedge of dissimilar materials. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.