Boundary integration of polynomials over an arbitrary linear hexahedron in euclidean three-dimensional space Original Research Article

This paper is concerned with explicit integration formulas and algorithms for computing volume integrals of trivariate polynomials over an arbitrary linear hexahedron in Euclidean three-dimensional space. Three different approaches are discussed. The first algorithm is obtained by transforming a volume integral into a sum of surface integrals and then into convenient and computationally efficient line integrals. The second algorithm is obtained by transforming a volume integral into a sum of surface integrals over the boundary quadrilaterals. The third algorithm is obtained by transforming a volume integral into a sum of surface integrals over the triangulation of boundary. These algorithms and finite integration formulas are then followed by an application example, for which we have explained the detailed computational scheme. The symbolic finite integration formulas presented in this paper may lead to efficient and easy incorporation of integral properties of arbitrary linear polyhedra required in the engineering design process.