ABSTRACT
This chapter describes Finite Element Method (FEM) for three-dimensional (3-D) boundary value problems in electromagnetics. 3-D problems, in general, can be divided into two types: those governed by a scalar second-order partial differential equation, and those governed by a vector second-order partial differential equation. In 3-D time-harmonic problems, it is necessary to consider vector-valued electric and magnetic field intensities, which satisfy the vector wave equation derived from Maxwell's equations. Electric and magnetic field intensities satisfy the vector wave equation. Edge elements are preferred in the FEM solution of BVPs governed by the vector wave equation because they avoid spurious solutions occurring particularly in eigenvalue problems due to the lack of enforcement of the divergence condition. FEM formulation of the generic BVP given in involving a vector wave equation is presented by using edge elements. The nodal coordinates and the given functions that are used in the governing differential equation are listed in each element during the pre-processing phase.
