Exact static element stiffness matrices of non‐symmetric thin‐walled curved beams

An evaluation procedure of exact static stiffness matrices for curved beams with non‐symmetric thin‐walled cross section are rigorously presented for the static analysis. Higher‐order differential equations for a uniform curved beam element are first transformed into a set of the first‐order simultaneous ordinary differential equations by introducing 14 displacement parameters where displacement modes corresponding to zero eigenvalues are suitably taken into account. This numerical technique is then accomplished via a generalized linear eigenvalue problem with non‐symmetric matrices. Next, the displacement functions of displacement parameters are exactly calculated by determining general solutions of simultaneous non‐homogeneous differential equations. Finally an exact stiffness matrix is evaluated using force–deformation relationships. In order to demonstrate the validity and effectiveness of this method, displacements and normal stresses of cantilever thin‐walled curved beams subjected to tip loads are evaluated and compared with those by thin‐walled curved beam elements as well as shell elements. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Prediction of material coupling effect on structural damping of composite beams and blades

The present paper investigates the effect of material coupling on static and modal characteristics of composite structures. Incorporation of stiffness and damping coupling terms into a beam formulation yields equivalent section stiffness and damping properties. Building upon the damping mechanics, an extended beam finite element is developed capable of providing the stiffness and damping matrices of the structure. Validation cases on beams and blades demonstrate the importance of all stiffness and damping terms. Numerical results validate the predicted effect of material coupling on static characteristics of composite box-section beams. The effect of the full coupling damping matrices on modal frequencies and structural modal damping of composite beams is investigated. Box-section beams and small blade models with various ply angle laminations at the girder segments are considered. Finally, the developed finite element is applied to the prediction of the modal characteristics of a 19 m realistic wind-turbine model blade.     

Spatial stability and free vibration of shear flexible thin-walled elastic beams. II: Numerical approach

In a companion paper,¹ equations of motion and closed-form solutions for spatial stability and free vibration analysis of shear flexible thin-walled elastic beams were analytically derived from the linearized Hellinger–Reissner principle. In this paper, elastic and geometric stiffness matrices and consistent mass matrix for finite element analysis are evaluated by using isoparametric and Hermitian interpolation polynomials. Isoparametric interpolation functions with 2, 3 and 4 nodes per element are utilized in isoparametric beam elements, and in Hermitian beam elements, the third- and fifth-order Hermitian polynomials including shear deformation effects are newly derived and applied for the calculation of element matrices. In order to verify the validity of the finite element formulation, both analytic and numerical solutions for spatial buckling and free vibration problems including shear effects are presented and compared.     

Non‐linear analysis of thin‐walled members of open cross‐section

The paper presents a means of determining the non‐linear stiffness matrices from expressions for the first and second variation of the Total Potential of a thin‐walled open section finite element that lead to non‐linear stiffness equations. These non‐linear equations can be solved for moderate to large displacements. The variations of the Total Potential have been developed elsewhere by the authors, and their contribution to the various non‐linear matrices is stated herein. It is shown that the method of solution of the non‐linear stiffness matrices is problem dependent. The finite element procedure is used to study non‐linear torsion that illustrates torsional hardening, and the Newton–Raphson method is deployed for this study. However, it is shown that this solution strategy is unsuitable for the second example, namely that of the post‐buckling response of a cantilever, and a direct iteration method is described. The good agreement for both of these problems with the work of independent researchers validates the non‐linear finite element method of analysis. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A nonparametric model of random uncertainties for reduced matrix models in structural dynamics

Random uncertainties in finite element models in linear structural dynamics are usually modeled by using parametric models. This means that: (1) the uncertain local parameters occurring in the global mass, damping and stiffness matrices of the finite element model have to be identified; (2) appropriate probabilistic models of these uncertain parameters have to be constructed; and (3) functions mapping the domains of uncertain parameters into the global mass, damping and stiffness matrices have to be constructed. In the low-frequency range, a reduced matrix model can then be constructed using the generalized coordinates associated with the structural modes corresponding to the lowest eigenfrequencies. In this paper we propose an approach for constructing a random uncertainties model of the generalized mass, damping and stiffness matrices. This nonparametric model does not require identifying the uncertain local parameters and consequently, obviates construction of functions that map the domains of uncertain local parameters into the generalized mass, damping and stiffness matrices. This nonparametric model of random uncertainties is based on direct construction of a probabilistic model of the generalized mass, damping and stiffness matrices, which uses only the available information constituted of the mean value of the generalized mass, damping and stiffness matrices. This paper describes the explicit construction of the theory of such a nonparametric model.     

经典边界条件黏弹性Pasternak地基上Bernoulli-Euler梁横向自振特性分析

自振特性在结构的动力分析中具有重要的意义。将回传射线矩阵法(MRRM)推广到地基梁自振特性的研究中,通过节点力平衡和位移协调方程及对偶局部坐标系下单元相位关系,建立两端简支、两端自由、两端固支、简支-自由、简支-固支及固支-自由这六种边界条件下黏弹性Pasternak地基上的Bernoulli-Euler梁的回传射线矩阵,进而得到其频率方程。根据单一局部坐标系下的边界条件,推导出模态函数解析表达式,进一步根据正交归一化条件求解模态函数表达式中的未知参数。通过具体算例验证了回传射线矩阵法求解的正确性,并对不同边界条件下的自振频率、衰减系数及模态函数进行了分析。为黏弹性地基梁的振动特性研究提供理论基础。     

Coupled deflection analysis of thin-walled Timoshenko laminated composite beams

For the deflection analyses of thin-walled Timoshenko laminated composite beams with the mono- symmetric I-, channel-, and L-shaped sections, the stiffness matrices are derived based on the solutions of the simultaneous ordinary differential equations. A general thin-walled composite beam theory considering shear deformation effect is developed by introducing Vlasov’s assumptions. The shear stiffnesses of thin-walled composite beams are explicitly derived from the energy equivalence. The equilibrium equations and force-deformation relations are derived from energy principles. By introducing 14 displacement parameters, a generalized eigenvalue problem that has complex eigenvalues and multiple zero eigenvalues is formulated. Polynomial expressions are assumed as trial solutions for displacement parameters and eigenmodes containing undetermined parameters equal to the number of zero eigenvalues are determined by invoking the identity condition to the equilibrium equations. Then the displacement functions are constructed by combining eigenvectors and polynomial solutions corresponding to nonzero and zero eigenvalues, respectively. Finally, the stiffness matrices are evaluated by applying the member force-displacement relations to the displacement functions. In addition, the finite beam element formulation based on the classical Lagrangian interpolation polynomial is presented. In order to verify the validity and the accuracy of this study, the numerical solutions are presented and compared with the finite element results using the isoparametric beam elements and the detailed three-dimensional analysis results using the shell elements of ABAQUS. Particularly the effects of shear deformations on the deflection of thin-walled composite beams with the mono-symmetric I-, channel-, and L-shaped sections with various lamination schemes are investigated.     

Multiscale design of a rectangular sandwich plate with viscoelastic core and supported at extents by viscoelastic materials

This work presents a multiscale model of viscoelastic constrained layer damping treatments for vibrating plates/beams. The approach integrates a finite element (FE) model of macroscale vibrations and a micromechanical model to include effects of microscale structure and properties. The FE model captures the shear deformation of the viscoelastic core, rotary inertial effects of all layers, and viscoelastic boundaries of the plate. Comparison with analytical and FE results validates the proposed FE model. A self-consistent (SC) model makes the micro to macro scale transition to approximate the effective behavior a heterogeneous core. Modal damping resulting from the presence of voids and negative stiffness regions in the core material is modeled. Results show that negative stiffness regions in the viscoelastic core material, even at low volume fractions, yield superior macroscopic damping behavior. The coupled SC and FE models provide a powerful multiscale predictive design tool for sandwich beams and plates.     

Explicit finite element artificial boundary scheme for transient scalar waves in two‐dimensional unbounded waveguide

To simulate the transient scalar wave propagation in a two‐dimensional unbounded waveguide, an explicit finite element artificial boundary scheme is proposed, which couples the standard dynamic finite element method for complex near field and a high‐order accurate artificial boundary condition (ABC) for simple far field. An exact dynamic‐stiffness ABC that is global in space and time is constructed. A temporal localization method is developed, which consists of the rational function approximation in the frequency domain and the auxiliary variable realization into time domain. This method is applied to the dynamic‐stiffness ABC to result in a high‐order accurate ABC that is local in time but global in space. By discretizing the high‐order accurate ABC along artificial boundary and coupling the result with the standard lumped‐mass finite element equation of near field, a coupled dynamic equation is obtained, which is a symmetric system of purely second‐order ordinary differential equations in time with the diagonal mass and non‐diagonal damping matrices. A new explicit time integration algorithm in structural dynamics is used to solve this equation. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Exact solutions of axial vibration problems of elastic bars

While exact solutions for linear static analysis of most frame structures can be obtained by the finite element method, it is very difficult to obtain exact solutions for free vibration and harmonic analyses for non‐trivial cases. This paper presents a study on new finite element formulation and algorithms for exact solutions of undamped axial vibration problems of elastic bars. Appropriate shape functions are constructed by using the homogeneous governing equations, and based on the new shape functions, a novel element is formulated. An iterative procedure is proposed for determining both the exact natural frequency values and the corresponding vibration mode shapes. Exact solutions can also be obtained for undamped harmonic response analyses by using the new element, as its stiffness and mass matrices are exact for a specified frequency. Illustrative examples are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed element and algorithm. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structural dynamic modifications via models

Structural dynamic modification techniques attempt to reduce dynamic design time and can be implemented beginning with spatial models of structures, dynamic test data or updated models. The models assumed in this discussion are mathematical models, namely mass, stiffness, and damping matrices of the equations of motion of a structure. These models are identified/ extracted from dynamic test data viz. frequency response functions (FRFs). Alternatively these models could have been obtained by adjusting or updating the finite element model of the structure in the light of the test data. The methods of structural modification for getting desired dynamic characteristics by using modifiers namely mass, beams and tuned absorbers are discussed.     

The partition of unity finite element method for short wave acoustic propagation on non‐uniform potential flows

A novel numerical method is proposed for modelling time‐harmonic acoustic propagation of short wavelength disturbances on non‐uniform potential flows. The method is based on the partition of unity finite element method in which a local basis of discrete plane waves is used to enrich the conventional finite element approximation space. The basis functions are local solutions of the governing equations. They are able to represent accurately the highly oscillatory behaviour of the solution within each element while taking into account the convective effect of the flow and the spatial variation in local sound speed when the flow is non‐uniform. Many wavelengths can be included within a single element leading to ultra‐sparse meshes. Results presented in this article will demonstrate that accurate solutions can be obtained in this way for a greatly reduced number of degrees of freedom when compared to conventional element or grid‐based schemes. Numerical results for lined uniform two‐dimensional ducts and for non‐uniform axisymmetric ducts are presented to indicate the accuracy and performance which can be achieved. Numerical studies indicate that the ‘pollution’ effect associated with cumulative dispersion error in conventional finite element schemes is largely eliminated. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Accuracy of Galerkin finite elements for groundwater flow simulations in two and three‐dimensional triangulations

In standard finite element simulations of groundwater flow the correspondence between hydraulic head gradients and groundwater fluxes is represented by the stiffness matrix. In two‐dimensional problems the use of linear triangular elements on Delaunay triangulations guarantees a stiffness matrix of type M. This implies that the local numerical fluxes are physically consistent with Darcy's law. This condition is fundamental to avoid the occurrence of local maxima or minima, and is of crucial importance when the calculated flow field is used in contaminant transport simulations or pathline evaluation. In three spatial dimensions, the linear Galerkin approach on tetrahedra does not lead to M‐matrices even on Delaunay meshes. By interpretation of the Galerkin approach as a subdomain collocation scheme, we develop a new approach (OSC, orthogonal subdomain collocation) that is shown to produce M‐matrices in three‐dimensional Delaunay triangulations. In case of heterogeneous and anisotropic coefficients, extra mesh properties required for M‐stiffness matrices will also be discussed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Quadrilateral membrane elements with analytical element stiffness matrices formulated by the new quadrilateral area coordinate method (QACM‐II)

A novel strategy for developing low‐order membrane elements with analytical element stiffness matrices is proposed. First, some complete low‐order basic analytical solutions for plane stress problems are given in terms of the new quadrilateral area coordinates method (QACM‐II). Then, these solutions are taken as the trial functions for developing new membrane elements. Thus, the interpolation formulae for displacement fields naturally possess second‐order completeness in physical space (Cartesian coordinates). Finally, by introducing nodal conforming conditions, new 4‐node and 5‐node membrane elements with analytical element stiffness matrices are successfully constructed. The resulting models, denoted as QAC‐ATF4 and QAC‐ATF5, have high computational efficiency since the element stiffness matrices are formulated explicitly and no internal parameter is added. These two elements exhibit excellent performance in various bending problems with mesh distortion. It is demonstrated that the proposed strategy possesses advantages of both the analytical and the discrete method, and the QACM‐II is a powerful tool for constructing high‐performance quadrilateral finite element models. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Finite element modelling of hybrid active–passive vibration damping of multilayer piezoelectric sandwich beams—part II: System analysis

An electromechanically coupled finite element model has been presented in Part 1 of this paper in order to handle active–passive damped multilayer sandwich beams, consisting of a viscoelastic core sandwiched between layered piezoelectric faces. Its validation is achieved, in the present part, through modal analysis comparisons with numerical and experimental results found in the literature. After its validation, the new finite element is applied to the constrained optimal control of a sandwich cantilever beam with viscoelastic core through a pair of attached piezoelectric actuators. The hybrid damping performance of this five‐layer configuration is studied under viscoelastic layer thickness and actuator length variations. It is shown that hybrid active–passive damping allows to increase damping of some selected modes while preventing instability of uncontrolled ones and that modal damping distribution can be optimized by proper choice of the viscoelastic material thickness. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Eigenderivative analysis of asymmetric non‐conservative systems

In general, the damping matrix of a dynamic system or structure is such that it can not be simultaneously diagonalized with the mass and stiffness matrices by any linear transformation. For this reason the eigenvalues and eigenvectors and consequently their derivatives become complex. Expressions for the first‐ and second‐order derivatives of the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of these linear, non‐conservative systems are given. Traditional restrictions of symmetry and positive definiteness have not been imposed on the mass, damping and stiffness matrices. The results are derived in terms of the eigenvalues and left and right eigenvectors of the second‐order system so that the undesirable use of the first‐order representation of the equations of motion can be avoided. The usefulness of the derived expressions is demonstrated by considering a non‐proportionally damped two degree‐of‐freedom symmetric system, and a damped rigid rotor on flexible supports. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A general high‐order finite element formulation for shells at large strains and finite rotations

For hyperelastic shells with finite rotations and large strains a p‐finite element formulation is presented accommodating general kinematic assumptions, interpolation polynomials and particularly general three‐dimensional hyperelastic constitutive laws. This goal is achieved by hierarchical, high‐order shell models. The tangent stiffness matrices for the hierarchical shell models are derived by computer algebra. Both non‐hierarchical, nodal as well as hierarchical element shape functions are admissible. Numerical experiments show the high‐order formulation to be less prone to locking effects. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A C0 finite element formulation for thin-walled beams

Timoshenko's and Vlasov's beam theories are combined to produce a C⁰ finite element formulation for arbitrary cross section thin-walled beams. Section properties are generated using a curvilinear co-ordinate system to describe the cross section dimensions. The element includes both shear and warping deformations caused by the bending moments and the bimoment. A Gauss quadrature order is employed which exactly integrates the bending and warping stiffness matrices and provides a reduced integration order for the shear stiffness matrices. Numerical results are presented for a channel section cantilever beam. The influence of shear deformation is investigated and the calculated results are shown to be in excellent agreement with the classical solutions.     

Loss behavior of viscoelastic sandwich structures: A statistical-continuum multi-scale approach

This work presents a multi-scale model of viscoelastic constrained layer damping treatments for vibrating plates/beams. The approach integrates a finite element (FE) model of macro-scale vibrations and a statistical-continuum homogenization model to include effects of micro-scale structure and properties. The statistical-continuum homogenization model makes the micro- to macro-scale transition to approximate the effective behavior of the heterogeneous core by using n-point probability functions. A simple sound transmission model is used to show the effect of material microstructure on the sound transmission loss of the sandwich structure. The damping behavior resulting from the presence of voids and negative stiffness regions in the core material is modeled. This study clearly shows that, it is of high interest to research either material structures or processing techniques which lead to negative stiffness behavior. The results also poignantly show that the proposed multi-scale model yields insight on heterogeneous material behavior leading to increased damping properties and ultimately enhances the ability to design sandwich beam/plates.     

黏弹性三参数地基梁横向自由振动

将复模态方法推广至地基梁系统的振动分析中,研究了三参数描述的黏弹性Pasternak地基梁的横向振动特征,得到不同边界条件下的频率方程的近似解析式以及模态函数表达式。采用数值方法近似求解复模态分析得到的超越方程,并运用微分求积方法数值加以验证。通过具体算例,分析了边界条件、刚度系数以及地基黏性系数等对固有频率和模态函数的影响。研究结果表明,微分求积法的数值解与复模态的近似解析解吻合的很好。