Abstract
The finite cover method (FCM) is known as the generalization of finite element method (FEM) and enjoys peculiar elements that partially have physical domains. We name them the generalized elements in this study and examine their performance by using higher-order finite cover approximation within the framework of the FEM. First, elemental deformability is studied in comparison with Wilson-Taylor's element (QM6), 8 node quadrilateral element (Q8) and lowest-order generalized element. Secondly, the sensitivity of the performance of the generalized elements to their distortion is compared with that of finite elements. Finally, after making the convergence study for the Cook's membrane problem and compiling all the results in this study, we conclude that the performance of higher-order generalized elements in the FCM are equivalent or slightly superior to that of finite elements. It is to be noted that the studies also apply to the X-FEM and the GFEM.
