A geometrically nonlinear shell finite element for tire vibration analysis

An axisymmetric finite element is developed which includes such features as orthotropic material properties, doubly curved geometry, and both the first and second order nonlinear stiffness terms. This element can be used to predict the equilibrium state of an axisymmetric shell structure with geometrically nonlinear large displacements. Small amplitude vibration analysis can then be performed based on this equilibrium state. The nonlinear path is predicted by using the self-correcting incremental procedure and any point on the path can be checked by using the Newton-Raphson iterative scheme. The present formulation and solution procedure are evaluated by analyzing a series of examples with results compared with alternative known solutions. Examples include: free vibration of an isotropic cylindrical shell, a conical frustum, and an orthotropic cylindrical shell; buckling of a cylindrical shell; large deflection of a clamped disk, a spherical cap, and a steel belted radial tire. The final example is a free vibration analysis of the inflated tire and the natural frequencies obtained compared well with published experimental data.     

Dynamic buckling of orthotropic shallow spherical shells

The dynamic axisymmetric behaviour of clamped orthotropic shallow spherical shell subjected to instantaneously applied uniform step-pressure load of infinite duration, is investigated here. The available modal equations, based on an assumed two-term mode shape for the lateral displacement, for the free flexural vibrations of an orthotropic shallow spherical shell is extended now for the forced oscillations. The resulting modal equations, two in number, are numerically integrated using Runge-Kutta method, and hence the load-deflection curves are plotted. The pressure corresponding to a sudden jump in the maximum deflection (at the apex) is considered as the dynamic buckling pressure, and these values are found for various values of geometric parameters and one value of orthotropic parameter. The numerical results are also determined for the isotropic case and they agree very well with the previous available results. It is observed here that the dynamic buckling load increases with the increase in the orthotropic parameter value. The effect of damping on the dynamic buckling load is also studied and this effect is found to increase the dynamic buckling load. It is further observed that this effect is more pronounced with increase in the rise of the shell.     

Nonlinear analysis of reinforced concrete hyperboloid cooling towers—I. Material model, finite element model and validation

This is the first part of a two-part series of papers in which the constitutive material modelling of reinforced concrete, in shell structures, which resist applied loads predominantly through membrane action, is presented. The material model includes the effects of tensile cracking, tension stiffening, compression softening, interface shear transfer, and change in material stiffness due to crack rotation. A four-noded isoparametric curved shell element has been used in the nonlinear finite element analysis. The results obtained by using the model for analysis of a shear wall panel subjected to in-plane loading have been compared with those from experimental investigation.     

Buckling of cylindrical shells under the action of nonuniform external pressure

Over the last few decades, storage tanks have become bigger and thinner. Because of this, the buckling capacity of these cylindrical shells may well be the determining factor of shell thickness. In this paper, the critical buckling load of isotropic and orthotropic cylinders subjected to different types of wind load distributions is investigated. The prebuckling displacements are obtained by using the membrane theory of shell analysis. The principle of minimum potential energy in conjunction with Ritz's approach is used to obtain the stability matrix. The size of the stability matrix in this analysis is (81 × 81). By solving the stability matrix as an eigenvalue problem, the critical pressures are obtained as eigenvalues and the deflection shapes as eigenvectors. In the present study cylindrical shells of various dimensions, which are fixed at the base and free at the top, are investigated. The buckling load curves for isotropic and orthotropic cylinders of various dimensions are given for practical use.     

Multi-scale computational model for failure analysis of metal frames that includes softening and local buckling

In this work we present a new modelling paradigm for computing the complete failure of metal frames by combining the stress-resultant beam model and the shell model. The shell model is used to compute the material parameters that are needed by an inelastic stress-resultant beam model; therefore, we consider the shell model as the meso-scale model and the beam model as the macro-scale model. The shell model takes into account elastoplasticity with strain-hardening and strain-softening, as well as geometrical nonlinearity (including local buckling of a part of a beam). By using results of the shell model, the stress-resultant inelastic beam model is derived that takes into account elastoplasticity with hardening, as well as softening effects (of material and geometric type). The beam softening effects are numerically modelled in a localized failure point by using beam finite element with embedded discontinuity. The original feature of the proposed multi-scale (i.e. shell-beam) computational model is its ability to incorporate both material and geometrical instability contributions into the stress-resultant beam model softening response. Several representative numerical simulations are presented to illustrate a very satisfying performance of the proposed approach.     

Flow through blood vessels under the action of a periodic acceleration field A mathematical analysis

The paper is devoted to an analytical study of flow through blood vessels subjected to a periodic acceleration field. The analysis consists of two parts. In the first case, the wall is treated as a non-linear orthotropic elastic cylindrical membrane and the blood as a Newtonian viscous fluid, while in the second case the experimentally observed material damping properties of the wall tissues and the viscoelasticity of blood have been incorporated in the analysis. In each of these two cases, analytical expressions for the displacement and shear stresses developed in the wall as well as the velocity distribution, fluid acceleration and volume flow rate of blood are derived. The influence of material damping of the wall tissues as well as the viscoelastic properties of blood on the flow and deformation characteristic of a blood vessel has been estimated by using the values of the different material constants (involved in the analysis) determined experimentally for the human abdominal aorta. Numerical results presented in the paper correspond to observed parameters of the circulatory system of living animals.     

A comparison of analytical–numerical models for nonlinear vibrations of cylindrical shells

The nonlinear flexural vibration behaviour of cylindrical shells has received considerable attention to date. It is pointed out that, although in a well-known reference case there seems to be a reasonable agreement, there are unresolved discrepancies between the results obtained by different authors. In the present paper, the problem is studied using various analytical–numerical models with different levels of accuracy and complexity. The frequency–amplitude curves from the different analysis models developed are compared both for isotropic shells and for an orthotropic composite shell. Secondary modes can play an important role. In more complicated cases modal interactions may significantly influence the nonlinear vibration behaviour, and the results obtained strongly depend on the analysis model chosen.     

Identification of global modeshape from a few nodal eigenvectors using simple free-form deformation

A new method, different from common eigenvalue extraction methods, was proposed by Li and Kikuchi (in 8th ARC conference, 2002). It consists of explicit finite-element method and eigenvalue-extraction method in time domain. Even though the new method performs well in extracting eigenvalues, it is difficult to identify global modeshape of the given structure due to large size of time history data. Only some eigenvectors of a few nodal points can be extracted. In this paper, we apply computer animation technique to identify the global modeshape from a few nodal eigenvectors. Free-form deformation (FFD) technique is simply modified—simple FFD—and applied to the identification of global modeshapes. The basic concepts that consist of simple FFD algorithm are Delaunay triangulation and barycentric coordinate. Some numerical examples show good performance for the identification of global modeshape of a given structure.     

Framework methods for orthotropic plates

Equivalent frameworks are presented to simulate orthotropic plates in extension or flexure. The structural properties of the framework models are obtained such that the actual and equivalent systems behave in the same manner. The real values of axial, flexural and torsional rigidities are considered in deriving formulas for these properties. There are no restrictions imposed on the values of Poisson's ratios. The stress distributions in orthotropic plates are calculated from the nodal displacements obtained.The models developed are applicable to a vast number of isotropic or orthotropic plate problems. The examples used to elaborate on these models are solved on a mini computer. Micro computers and programmable calculators could also be used. The finite element method is compared with the models presented and excellent agreements are found.     

Minimum weight shape and size optimization of truss structures made of uncertain materials

Truss structures are optimized with respect to minimum weight with constraints on the value of some displacement and on the member stresses. The truss is considered made of an uncertain material, i.e. the value of the material constants are not known in a deterministic way, and each member may then exhibit a different value of stiffness, within a limited range of variation. The optimization must be done so that optimal solutions remain feasible for each value that the material constants may take for the considered uncertainty. In the present work a nonprobabilistic approach to uncertainty is used, and a variation of the material moduli with a, probabilistically speaking, uniform distribution over a convex and linearly bounded domain is considered. The two-step method is used to include the uncertainty within the optimization, where a diagonal quadratic approximation is used for the Objective function and the constraints. Solutions for some of the most classical truss examples are found and compared with those obtained using nominal values of material constants.     

Modelling cross-ply laminated elastic shells by a higher-order theory and multiquadrics

The higher-order shear-deformation theory of laminated orthotropic elastic shells of Vlasov–Reddy is a modification of Sanders’ theory and accounts for parabolic distribution of the transverse shear strains through the thickness of the shell. The Vlasov–Reddy shell theory allows the fulfillment of homogeneous conditions (zero values) at the top and bottom surfaces of the shell. This paper deals with a meshless solution of the Vlasov–Reddy higher-order shell theory. The meshless technique is based on the asymmetric global multiquadric radial basis function method proposed by Hardy and Kansa. This paper demonstrates that this truly meshless method is successful in the analysis of laminated composite shells.     

Three dimensional curved shell finite elements for heat conduction

This paper presents a finite element formulation for three dimensional curved shell heat conduction where nodal temperatures and nodal temperature gradients through the shell thickness are retained as primary variables. The three dimensional curved shell geometry is constructed using the coordinates of the nodes lying on the middle surface of the shell and the nodal point normals. The element temperature field is defined in terms of the element approximation functions, nodal temperatures and nodal temperature gradients. The weak formulation of the three dimensional Fourier heat conduction equation is constructed in the Cartesian coordinate system. The properties of the curved shell elements are then derived using the weak formulation and the element temperature approximation. The element formulation permits linear temperature distribution through the element thickness.Distributed heat flux as well as convective boundaries are permitted on all six faces of the element. The element also has internal heat generation as well as orthotropic material capability. The superiority of the formulation in terms of applications, efficiency and accuracy is demonstrated. Numerical examples are presented and comparisons are made with theoretical solutions.     

复合材料厚板结构三维有效弹性常数计算模块化程序

为实现复合材料厚板结构三维有效弹性常数的模块化计算,利用MSCPatran的二次开发语言PCL开发模块化计算程序．针对具有周期性铺层方式的复合材料厚板结构,该程序可自动生成等效后的三维正交各向异性材料．将该程序用于复合材料太阳翼连接架的静力分析,生成连接架各局部复合材料结构的三维正交各向异性材料,得到其在设计载荷下的应变分析结果．有限元分析结果与试验结果比较表明,该程序能有效计算复合材料厚板结构的三维弹性常数,提高复合材料三维建模的效率及可靠性．     

Three-dimensional solutions of laminated cylinders

A mixed finite-difference scheme is presented for the free vibration analysis of simply supported laminated orthotropic circular cylinders. The study is based on the linear three-dimensional theory of orthotropic elasticity, and the governing equations are reduced to six first-order ordinary differential equations in the thickness coordinate. In the finite-difference discretization two interlacing grids are used for the different fundamental unknowns in such a way as to reduce both the local discretization error and the bandwidth of the resulting finite-difference field equations. Numerical studies are presented of the effects of variations in the lamination and geometric characteristics of circular cylinders on their vibration characteristics. Also, the accuracy and range of validity of two-dimensional Sanders—Budiansky type shell theories are investigated.     

Nonlinear vibration and stability of a shallow unsymmetrical orthotropic sandwich shell of double curvature with orthotropic core

In this paper, nonlinear behaviours for a shallow unsymmetrical, orthotropic sandwich shell of double curvature with orthotropic core having different elastic characteristics have been studied by a new set of uncoupled differential equations. The face sheet may be of unequal thickness of different materials. However, a restriction that the elements radii of curvature be large compared to the overall thickness of the sandwich has been imposed.

A simple approach used in the present analysis can be applied for stability as well as vibration. For the symmetrical case, where the face sheets are of equal thickness and of same materials, these equations can be shown to reduce to those given by Grigolyuk in 1957. Numerical results of a square rectangular simply supported curved plate, and of a rectangular sandwich cylindrical shell under mechanical and dynamic loading, have been computed and compared with other known results.     

Continuum damage model for orthotropic materials: Application to masonry

This paper contributes to the formulation of continuum damage models for orthotropic materials under plane stress conditions. Two stress transformation tensors, related to tensile and compressive stress states, respectively, are used to establish a one-to-one mapping relationship between the orthotropic behaviour and an auxiliary model. This allows the consideration of two individual damage criteria, according to different failure mechanisms, i.e. cracking and crushing. The constitutive model adopted in the mapped space makes use of two scalar variables which monitor the local damage under tension and compression, respectively. The model affords the simulation of orthotropic induced damage, while also accounting for unilateral effects, thanks to a stress tensor split into tensile and compressive contributions. The fundamentals of the method are presented together with the procedure utilized to adjust the model in order to study the mechanical behaviour of masonry material. The validation of the model is carried out by means of comparisons with experimental results on different types of orthotropic masonry at the material level.     

Vibration analysis of laminated anisotropic shells of revolution

An efficient computational procedure is presented for the free vibration analysis of laminated anisotropic shells of revolution, and for assessing the sensitivity of their response to anisotropic (nonorthotropic) material coefficients. The analytical formulation is based on a form of the Sanders-Budiansky shell theory including the effects of both the transverse shear deformation and the laminated anisotropic material response. The fundamental unknowns consist of the eight stress resultants, the eight strain components, and the five generalized displacements of the shell. Each of the shell variables is expressed in terms of trigonometric functions in the circumferential coordinate and a three-field mixed finite element model is used for the discretization in the meridional direction.The three key elements of the procedure are: (a) use of three-field mixed finite element models in the meridional direction with discontinuous stress resultants and strain components at the element interfaces, thereby allowing the elimination of the stress resultants and strain components on the element level; (b) operator splitting, or decomposition of the material stiffness matrix of the shell into the sum of an orthotropic and nonorthotropic (anisotropic) parts, thereby uncoupling the governing finite element equations corresponding to the symmetric and antisymmetric vibrations for each Fourier harmonic; and (c) application of a reduction method through the successive use of the finite element method and the classical Bubnov-Galerkin technique.The potential of the proposed procedure is discussed and numerical results are presented to demonstrate its effectiveness.     

Orthotropic cylindrical shells under line load along a generator

A technique for elastic analysis of an orthotropic cylindrical shell subjected to a uniform line load along a generator is developed. An accurate form of governing differential equations is derived and a mathematically discrete element method is used for its solution. The shell is divided into a finite number of longitudinal strips and the derivatives with respect to the circumferential coordinate in the governing equation are replaced by their finite difference relationships. The solution of the resulting equations is written in closed form. A computer program to implement this technique is developed and the computed results are compared with published experimental and analytical results. An excellent agreement is obtained. Some new results for a shell with fixed end boundary conditions are also presented.     

A finite element model for the nonlinear analysis of reinforced and prestressed masonry walls

A materially nonlinear layered finite element model is proposed for the analysis of reinforced and/or prestressed masonry wall panels under monotonie loadings in the plane and/or out of the plane, capable of evaluating both the serviceability load and the ultimate load. An orthotropic incrementally linear relationship and equivalent uniaxial concept are used to represent the behaviour of masonry under biaxial stresses while a uniaxial bilinear elasto-plastic model with hardening is employed for rebar and the so-called ‘power-formula’ is adopted to describe the stress-strain relationship of prestressing steel.

After cracking, the smeared coaxial rotating crack model is adopted and tension stiffening, reduction in compressive strength and stiffness after cracking, and strain softening in compression are accounted for. The modified Newton-Raphson iteration method is employed to ensure convergency of non linear solution.

The proposed finite element model has been tested by a comparison with experimental data available in literature, both for reinforced and prestressed wall panels. The analysis of results shows good agreement between the values obtained by the proposed model and those obtained experimentally.