PDEs – Difference Between Essential and Natural Boundary Conditions

boundary value problempartial differential equations

In a boundary value problem, what's the difference between "essential boundary conditions" and "natural boundary conditions"?

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The two types of boundary conditions are used:

  1. Essential or geometric boundary conditions which are imposed on the primary variable like displacements, and

  2. Natural or force boundary conditions which are imposed on the secondary variable like forces and tractions.

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