A harmonic function in the interior of a polygon is the double layer potential of a distribution satisfying a second kind integral equation. This may be solved numerically by Galerkin's method using piecewise polynomials as basis functions. But the corners produce singularities in the distribution and the kernel of the integral equation; and these reduce the order of convergence. This is offset by grading the mesh, and the orders of convergence and superconvergence are restored to those for a smooth boundary.

An integral equation for the normal velocity of the interface between two immiscible fluids flowing in a two-dimensional porous medium or Hele-Shaw cell (one fluid displaces the other) is derived in terms of the physical parameters (including interfacial tension), a Green's function and the given interface. When the displacement is unstable, ‘fingering’ of the interface occurs. The Saffman-Taylor interface solutions for the steady advance of a single parallel-sided finger in the absence of interfacial tension are seen to satisfy the integral equation, and the error incurred in that equation by the corresponding Pitts approximating profile, when interfacial tension is included, is shown. In addition, the numerical solution of the integral equation is illustrated for a sinusoidal and a semicircular interface and, in each case, the amplitude behaviour inferred from the velocity distribution is consistent with conclusions based on the stability of an initially flat interface.

Instantaneous streamlines, particle pathlines and pressure contours for a cavitation bubble in the vicinity of a free surface and near a rigid boundary are obtained. During the collapse phase of a bubble near a free surface, the streamlines show the existence of a stagnation point between the bubble and the free surface which occurs at a different location from the point of maximum pressure. This phenomenon exists when the initial distance of the bubble is sufficiently close to the free surface for the bubble and free surface to move in opposite directions during collapse of the bubble. Pressure calculations during the collapse of a cavitation bubble near a rigid boundary show that the maximum pressure is substantially larger than the equivalent Rayleigh bubble of the same volume.

In this paper a control problem with a cost functional depending on the number of switchings and on the speed of alterations of control is considered. Necessary conditions for the existence of an optimal solution are given.

There is a well-recognized need for a mortgage instrument that will operate satisfactorily in the presence of a volatile inflation. This paper analyses a large class of mortgages—the ‘continuous mortgage’ (CM)—as a basis for such design. In particular, it is shown that the real (inflation-adjusted) payment stream is exponentially sensitive to changes in the real interest rate. Consequently to realize a satisfactory design, the mortgage must be indexed by assigning the real interest rate. Then, under appropriate restraints, the CM offers a continuum of satisfactory mortgage designs.

A simple and efficient numerical technique for the buckling analysis of thin elastic plates of arbitrary shape is proposed. The approach is based upon the combination of the standard Finite Element Method with the constant deflection contour method. Several representative plate problems of irregular boundaries are treated and where possible, the obtained results are validated against corresponding results in the literature.

In this paper, the parabolic partial differential equation ut = urr + (1/r)ur − (v2/r2)u, where v ≥ 0 is a parameter, with Dirichlet, Neumann, and mixed boundary conditions is considered. The final state observability for such problems is investigated.

The method of asymptotic matching introduced by Buchwald [I] is adapted to the case of the diffraction of plane longitudinal and shear waves by cylindrical cavities with elliptic cross-sections. It is assumed that the dimensions of the cross section are small compared with the wavelength of the incident waves. Asymptotic formulae for the scattered wave potentials are obtained.

The method is valid when the cavity reduces to a two-dimensional stress free crack whose length is small compared with the wavelength. Formulae for the scattered waves, and for the stress-concentrations at the crack tips are obtained.