A mixed finite element for the nonlinear analysis of in-plane loaded masonry walls

A mixed membrane eight-node quadrilateral finite element for the analysis of masonry walls is presented. Assuming that a nonlinear and history-dependent 2D stress-strain constitutive law is used to model masonry material, the element derivation is based on a Hu-Washizu variational statement, involving displacement, strain, and stress fields as primary variables. As the behavior of masonry structures is often characterized by strain localization phenomena, due to strain softening at material level, a discontinuous, piecewise constant interpolation of the strain field is considered at element level, to capture highly nonlinear strain spatial distributions also within finite elements. Newton's method of solution is adopted for the element state determination problem. For avoiding pathological sensitivity to the finite element mesh, a novel algorithm is proposed to perform an integral-type nonlocal regularization of the constitutive equations in the present mixed formulation. By the comparison with competing serendipity displacement-based formulation, numerical simulations prove high performances of the proposed finite element, especially when coarse meshes are adopted.     

Composite mappings for planar mesh generation

A new algorithm is presented for automatically grading meshes generated over planar triangular and quadrilateral regions using parametric mappings. Rational parametric bicubic Bézier polynomials are coupled with an element density function to concentrate elements around regions of high solution gradients.     

New stress assumption for hybrid stress elements and refined four-node plane and eight-node brick elements

A new stress assumption for hybrid stress elements is presented. Generalized incompatible modes are proposed and incorporated into the constraint equations for assumed stresses. The physical meaning of the resulting constraint equations is discussed. The present stress assumption, which can consider the mesh distortion more rigorously, is based on the physical interpretation of the role of the generalized incompatible modes and substantiated with simple mesh distortion measures defined in this paper. The stress assumption is adapted to the previous four-node hybrid stress element, 5β-I and the eight-node hybrid stress brick element, 18β, which results in a new four-node plane element, M5β and an new eight-node brick element, M18β. Numerical results show that the refined elements are noticeable in low sensitivity to mesh distortion and in high-accuracy of stresses. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A cell-based smoothed radial point interpolation method with virtual nodes for three-dimensional mid-frequency acoustic problems

It is well known that the finite element method (FEM) encounters dispersion errors in coping with mid-frequency acoustic problems due to its “overly stiff” nature. By introducing the generalized gradient smoothing technique and the idea of condensed shape functions with virtual nodes, a cell-based smoothed radial point interpolation method is proposed to solve the Helmholtz equation for the purpose of reducing dispersion errors. With the properly selected virtual nodes, the proposed method can provide a close-to-exact stiffness of continuum, leading to a conspicuous decrease in dispersion errors and a significant improvement in accuracy. Numerical examples are examined using the present method by comparing with both the traditional FEM using four-node tetrahedral elements (FEM-T4) and the FEM model using eight-node hexahedral elements with modified integration rules (MIR-H8). The present cell-based smoothed radial point interpolation method has been demonstrated to possess a number of superiorities, including the automatically generated tetrahedral background mesh, high computational efficiency, and insensitivity to mesh distortion, which make the method a good potential for practical analysis of acoustic problems.     

Post-buckling analysis of viscoelastic plates with fractional derivative models

The post-buckling response of thin plates made of linear viscoelastic materials is investigated. The employed viscoelastic material is described with fractional order time derivatives. The governing equations, which are derived by considering the equilibrium of the plate element, are three coupled nonlinear fractional partial evolution type differential equations in terms of three displacements. The nonlinearity is due to nonlinear kinematic relations based on the von Kármán assumption. The solution is achieved using the analog equation method (AEM), which transforms the original equations into three uncoupled linear equations, namely a linear plate (biharmonic) equation for the transverse deflection and two linear membrane (Poisson’s) equations for the inplane deformation under fictitious loads. The resulting initial value problem for the fictitious sources is a system of nonlinear fractional ordinary differential equations, which is solved using the numerical method developed recently by Katsikadelis for multi-term nonlinear fractional differential equations. The numerical examples not only demonstrate the efficiency and validate the accuracy of the solution procedure, but also give a better insight into this complicated but very interesting engineering plate problem     

Development of eight-node quadrilateral membrane elements using the area coordinates method

 Two eight-node quadrilateral elements, namely, AQ8-I and AQ8-II, have been developed using the quadrilateral area coordinate and generalized conforming methods. Some appropriate examples were employed to evaluate the performance of the proposed elements. The numerical results show that the proposed elements are superior to the standard eight-node isoparametric element, thereafter called Q8. This is because the former does not only possess the same accuracy as the latter when regular meshes are employed for analysis, but is also very insensitive to mesh distortion, for which the Q8 element can not handle. It has also been demonstrated that the area coordinate method is an efficient tool for developing simple, effective and reliable serendipity plane membrane elements. Received 11 August 1999     

模拟三维裂纹问题的自适应多尺度扩展有限元法

为了在大型结构分析中考虑小裂纹或以小的代价提高裂纹附近求解精度,该文建立了分析三维裂纹问题的自适应多尺度扩展有限元法。基于恢复法评估三维扩展有限元后验误差,大于给定误差值的单元进行细化。所有尺度单元采用八结点六面体单元,采用六面体任意结点单元连接不同尺度单元。采用互作用积分法计算三维应力强度因子。三维I 型裂纹和I-II 复合型裂纹算例分析表明了该方法的正确性和有效性。     

Numerical investigation based on the finite element method of the postbifurcation behavior of thin-walled structures

We worked an effective algorithm for investigating the postbifurcation solutions of systems of nonlinear equations of equilibrium of thin-walled structures obtained on the basis of the finite element method. In the work we used an eight-node isoparametric shell finite element (MPFE) of general form with three degrees of freedom in a node. An example is the postbifurcation behavior of two classical structures: a cantilever strip loaded by a concentrated force at the end, and a rectangular plate compressed uniformly by a distributed load on the end face. The obtained results testify to the high accuracy and effectiveness of the method presented here.Translated from Problemy Prochnosti, No. 7, pp. 79–89, July, 1993.     

滑移索结构分析的精确三维有限元法

针对现有滑移索结构分析方法适用范围有限、精度不高的缺点,提出了一种通用、高精度的三维滑移索单元法。基于悬链线理论和Euler-Eytelwein公式,同时考虑了温度效应和滑动摩擦,分别建立了已知单元无应力索长和已知张拉力的三维滑移索单元的基本方程组;利用矩阵微分从单元基本方程组导出了单元的切线刚度矩阵;建立了滑移索结构从张拉到后期加载的全过程精细化分析流程,可实现自动调用建立的各类索单元,准确分析各滑移点的摩擦;通过3个算例的计算及与现有理论解、数值解和试验结果的比较来验证该文所提出方法的可靠性和有效性。结果表明,该文提出的三维有限元法准确可靠,计算效率较高,适用于工程中各种滑移索结构的高精度非线性分析。     

Eight-node nonconforming hexahedral element based on reverse adjustment to patch test for solids,beams, plates,and shells

An eight-node 24-DOF nonconforming brick element is developed. It contains nine internal modes, including quadratic and cubic forms, wherein each local coordinate component is at most quadratic. The reverse adjustment to patch test is applied to quadratic modes to eliminate shear locking. To rectify the ill-condition of the element stiffness matrix caused by irregular element shape such as large aspect ratio, a modified regularization method is introduced. It is based on Riley's series expansion of the solution to the ill-conditioned linear system and is coupled in the condensation procedure of the internal degrees of freedom. With the regularization parameter α = 10⁻³, the first three terms are enough, which are achieved by two additional refinements in addition to the initial value. To validate the accuracy and robustness, a variety of linear benchmark tests is conducted on solid, beam, plate, and shell structures. The results are in good agreement with the reference solutions, provided the mesh is not too coarse or distorted. The overall performance implies that the new element is competitive with almost all the elements cited, including solid, solid-shell, and shell elements, and is a potential one-size-fits-all solution to linear structure problems.     

An extended finite element method for fluid flow in partially saturated porous media with weak discontinuities; the convergence analysis of local enrichment strategies

In this paper, a numerical model is developed for the fully coupled analysis of deforming porous media containing weak discontinuities which interact with the flow of two immiscible, compressible wetting and non-wetting pore fluids. The governing equations involving the coupled solid skeleton deformation and two-phase fluid flow in partially saturated porous media are derived within the framework of the generalized Biot theory. The solid phase displacement, the wetting phase pressure and the capillary pressure are taken as the primary variables of the three-phase formulation. The other variables are incorporated into the model via the experimentally determined functions that specify the relationship between the hydraulic properties of the porous medium, i.e. saturation, permeability and capillary pressure. The spatial discretization by making use of the extended finite element method (XFEM) and the time domain discretization by employing the generalized Newmark scheme yield the final system of fully coupled non-linear equations, which is solved using an iterative solution procedure. Numerical convergence analysis is carried out to study the approximation error and convergence rate of several enrichment strategies for bimaterial multiphase problems exhibiting a weak discontinuity in the displacement field across the material interface. It is confirmed that the problems which arise in the blending elements can have a significant effect on the accuracy and convergence rate of the solution.     

Improved quadratic elements

A general method to formulate improved quadratic elements is presented. Derivation of the method is based on more accurate shape functions that take into account effects of governing differential equations. These new shape functions have the same form as those of the standard eight-node quadratic element. Therefore, they may be easily adapted into existing programs. The new quadratic element is compared with both standard and standard condensed quadratic elements. To show relative merits of different quadratic elements eigenvalue tests are performed. Several examples ranging from field problems, plane stress and bar vibration are used to demonstrate the applicability of this approach.     

Effect of electromechanical coupling on static deformations and natural frequencies

A two-way coupled electromechanical theory is used to study static deformations and free vibrations of a laminated hybrid rectangular plate comprised of either piezoceramic (PZT) layers or patches embedded at arbitrary locations in graphite/epoxy layers. A first-order shear deformation theory is used to develop equations for the plate which are solved by the finite-element method (FEM) using eight-node isoparametric elements. Static deflections and natural frequencies computed with open-circuited PZT layers are found to differ significantly from those of grounded PZT layers.     

Nonlinear free vibrations of thin-walled beams in torsion

Nonlinear torsional vibrations of thin-walled beams exhibiting primary and secondary warpings are investigated. The coupled nonlinear torsional–axial equations of motion are considered. Ignoring the axial inertia term leads to a differential equation of motion in terms of angle of twist. Two sets of torsional boundary conditions, that is, clamped–clamped and clamped-free boundary conditions are considered. The governing partial differential equation of motion is discretized and transformed into a set of ordinary differential equations of motion using Galerkin’s method. Then, the method of multiple scales is used to solve the time domain equations and derive the equations governing the modulation of the amplitudes and phases of the vibration modes. The obtained results are compared with the available results in the literature that are obtained from boundary element and finite element methods, which reveals an excellent agreement between different solution methodologies. Finally, the internal resonance and the stability of coupled and uncoupled nonlinear modes are investigated. This study can be a preliminary step in the understanding of complex dynamics of such systems in internal resonance excited by external resonant excitations.     

Non-linear coupled multi-field mechanics and finite element for active multi-stable thermal piezoelectric shells

In this paper, a coupled multi-field mechanics framework is presented for analyzing the non-linear response of shallow doubly curved adaptive laminated piezoelectric shells undergoing large displacements and rotations in thermal environments. The mechanics incorporate coupling between mechanical, electric and thermal fields and encompass geometric non-linearity effects due to large displacements and rotations. The governing equations are formulated explicitly in orthogonal curvilinear coordinates and are combined with the kinematic assumptions of a mixed-field shear-layerwise shell laminate theory. A finite element methodology and an eight-node coupled non-linear shell element are developed. The discrete coupled non-linear equations of motion are linearized and solved, using an extended cylindrical arc-length method together with a Newton–Raphson technique, to enable robust numerical predictions of non-linear active shells transitioning between multiple stable equilibrium paths. Validation and evaluation cases on laminated cylindrical strips and cylindrical panels demonstrate the accuracy of the method and its robust capability to predict non-linear response under thermal and piezoelectric actuator loads. Moreover, the results illustrate the capability of the method to model piezoelectric shells undergoing large shape changes by actively jumping between stable equilibrium states and quantify the strong relationship between shell curvature, applied electric potential, applied temperature differential and induced shape change. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Legendre spectral element method for the Stefan problem

In this paper we present a Legendre spectral element method for solution of multi-dimensional unsteady change-of-phase Stefan problems. The spectral element method is a high-order (p-type) finite element technique, in which the computational domain is broken up into general (curved) quadrilateral macroelements, and the solution, data and geometry are expanded within each element in terms of tensor-product Lagrangian interpolants. The discrete equations are generated by a Galerkin formulation followed by Gauss–Lobatto Legendre quadrature, for which it is shown that exponential convergence to smooth solutions is obtained as the polynomial order of fixed elements is increased. The spectral element equations are inverted by conjugate gradient iteration, in which the matrix-vector products are calculated efficiently using tensor-product sum-factorization. To solve the Stefan problem numerically, the heat equations in the liquid and solid phases are transformed to fixed domains applying an interface-local time-dependent immobilization transformation technique. The modified heat equations are discretized using finite differences in time, resulting at each time step in a Helmholtz equation in space that is solved using Legendre spectral element elliptic discretizations. The new interface position is then computed using a variationally consistent flux treatment along the phase boundary, and the solution is projected upon the corresponding updated mesh. The rapid convergence rate and stability of the method are discussed, and numerical results are presented for a one-dimensional Stefan problem using both a semi-implicit and a fully implicit time-stepping scheme. Finally, a two-dimensional Stefan problem with a complex phase boundary is solved using the semi-implicit scheme.     

Dynamic analysis of the multi-link five-point suspension system using point and joint coordinates

Summary In this paper the transient dynamic analysis of a quarter car model with a multi-link five-point suspension is presented. The equations of motion are formulated using a two step transformation. Initially, the formulation is written in terms of a dynamically equivalent system of particles. The equations of motion are then transformed to the relative joint variables. For open chains, this process automatically eliminates all of the non-working constraint forces and leads to an efficient solution and integration of the equations of motion. For closed chains, suitable joints should be cut and few cut joints constraint equations should be included for each closed chain. The model includes four closed chains together with the necessary elements such as the leaf springs and shock absorbers. The tire is modelled simply by a spring-damper element that imposes constraint forces on the motion of the system. The results of the, simulation indicate the simplicity and generality of the dynamic formulation.     

Nonlinear analysis via global–local mixed finite element approach

A computational algorithm, based on the combined use of mixed finite elements and classical Rayleigh–Ritz approximation, is presented for predicting the nonlinear static response of structures; The fundamental unknowns consist of nodal displacements and forces (or stresses) and the governing nonlinear finite element equations consist of both the constitutive relations and equilibrium equations of the discretized structure. The vector of nodal displacements and forces (or stresses) is expressed as a linear combination of a small number of global approximation functions (or basis vectors), and a Rayleigh–Ritz technique is used to approximate the finite element equations by a reduced system of nonlinear equations. The global approximation functions (or basis vectors) are chosen to be those commonly used in static perturbation technique; namely a nonlinear solution and a number of its path derivatives. These global functions are generated by using the finite element equations of the discretized structure. The potential of the global–local mixed approach and its advantages over global–local displacement finite element methods are discussed. Also, the high accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed approach are demonstrated by means of numerical examples.     

Investigation on a Two-dimensional Generalized Thermal Shock Problem with Temperature-dependent Properties

The dynamic response of a two-dimensional generalized thermoelastic problem with temperature-dependent properties is investigated in the context of generalized thermoelasticity proposed by Lord and Shulman. The governing equations are formulated, and due to the nonlinearity and complexity of the governing equations resulted from the temperature-dependent properties, a numerical method, i.e., finite element method is adopted to solve such problem. By means of virtual displacement principle, the nonlinear finite element equations are derived. To demonstrate the solution process, a thermoelastic half-space subjected to a thermal shock on its bounding surface is considered in detail. The nonlinear finite element equations for this problem are solved directly in time domain. The variations of the considered variables are obtained and illustrated graphically. The results show that the effect of the temperature-dependent properties on the considered variables is to reduce their magnitudes, and taking the temperature-dependence of material properties into consideration in the investigation of generalized thermoelastic problem has practical meaning in predicting the thermoelastic behaviors accurately. It can also be deduced that directly solving the nonlinear finite element equations in time domain is a powerful method to deal with the thermoelastic problems with temperature-dependent properties.     

Petrov-Galerkin finite element model for compressible flows

A Petrov-Galerkin method for the solution of the compressible Euler and Navier-Stokes equations is presented. It is based on the introduction of an anisotropic blancing diffusion in the direction of the local direction of propagation of the scalar variables. The local direction in which the anisotropic diffusion is introduced is uniquely determined, and the magnitude of the balancing diffusion is automatically calculated locally using a criterion that is optimal for one-dimensional transport equations. The algorithm has been implemented using four-noded bilinear elements with forward Euler and second-order Runge-Kutta methods of integration in time. Several applications are presented and show the stability and approximation properties of the method.