On accuracy improvement of microscopic stress/stress sensitivity analysis with the mesh superposition method for heterogeneous materials considering geometrical variation of inclusions

In this paper, a new method is proposed for improving accuracy of microscopic stress analysis/stress sensitivity analysis of heterogeneous materials considering a geometrical variation of inclusions using the mesh superposition method-based approach. In particular, the analysis, which considers a location variation of inclusions in heterogeneous materials with location change of a local mesh, is a target problem. This problem must be accurately solved for, eg, reliability evaluation with the multiscale stochastic stress analysis considering a microscopic geometrical variation of composites. The influence of a geometrical random variation of inclusions on the stress field is not negligible; further, a finite element mesh must be substantially updated for the evaluation of stress field for a significant realization. Therefore, the mesh superposition method based approach is adopted. In this paper, a problem point in the stress/stress sensitivity analysis considering the geometrical variation of inclusions when using the mesh superposition method is discussed, and improved approaches based on an improved formulation and a relocalization analysis are proposed. The proposed approaches are applied to a stress/stress sensitivity analysis of a heterogeneous material associated with a microstructure of composites. With the numerical results, effectiveness of the proposed approach is discussed.     

Multi-scale computational method for elastic bodies with global and local heterogeneity

A multi-scale computational method using the homogenization theory and the finite element mesh superposition technique is presented for the stress analysis of composite materials and structures from both micro- and macroscopic standpoints. The proposed method is based on the continuum mechanics, and the micro–macro coupling effects are considered for a variety of composites with very complex microstructures. To bridge the gap of the length scale between the microscale and the macroscale, the homogenized material model is basically used. The classical homogenized model can be applied to the case that the microstructures are periodically arrayed in the structure and that the macroscopic strain field is uniform within the microscopic unit cell domain. When these two conditions are satisfied, the homogenization theory provides the most reliable homogenized properties rigorously to the continuum mechanics. This theory can also calculate the microscopic stresses as well as the macroscopic stresses, which is the most attractive advantage of this theory over other homogenizing techniques such as the rule of mixture. The most notable feature of this paper is to utilize the finite element mesh superposition technique along with the homogenization theory in order to analyze cases where non-periodic local heterogeneity exists and the macroscopic field is non-uniform. The accuracy of the analysis using the finite element mesh superposition technique is verified through a simple example. Then, two numerical examples of knitted fabric composite materials and particulate reinforced composite material are shown. In the latter example, a shell-solid connection is also adopted for the cost-effective multi-scale modeling and analysis. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A hysteretic multiscale formulation for nonlinear dynamic analysis of composite materials

A new multiscale finite element formulation is presented for nonlinear dynamic analysis of heterogeneous structures. The proposed multiscale approach utilizes the hysteretic finite element method to model the micro-structure. Using the proposed computational scheme, the micro-basis functions, that are used to map the micro-displacement components to the coarse mesh, are only evaluated once and remain constant throughout the analysis procedure. This is accomplished by treating inelasticity at the micro-elemental level through properly defined hysteretic evolution equations. Two types of imposed boundary conditions are considered for the derivation of the multiscale basis functions, namely the linear and periodic boundary conditions. The validity of the proposed formulation as well as its computational efficiency are verified through illustrative numerical experiments.     

粗网格划分下的箱梁三维实体有限元分析方法

针对现有箱梁分析方法普遍存在的计算精度与计算效率之间矛盾的问题,提出了粗网格划分下的箱梁三维实体有限元分析方法。在充分考虑箱梁受力变形特点的基础上,以修正的Hellinger-Reissner变分原理为基础,通过合理引入非协调位移插值项,构造出直角坐标系下的六面体八结点杂交应力单元8N21β和柱坐标系下的六面体八结点杂交应力单元8N21βc,分别用于粗网格划分下的直箱梁和曲线箱梁的三维实体有限元分析。数值算例表明:8N21β单元和8N21βc单元在粗网格划分下具有较高的计算精度,能有效提高箱梁三维实体有限元分析的计算效率。     

Mechanical and geometrical approaches applied to composite fabric forming

In this paper, we are interested in the forming of composite fabric by deep-drawing. Two approaches (geometrical and mechanical) are proposed for the simulation of the composite fabric forming. The geometrical approach is based on a fishnet model. It is well adapted to preliminary design phase and to give a suitable estimate of the resulting flat patterns. The mechanical approach is based on a meso-structural approach. It allows us to take into account the mechanical properties of composite fabric (fibres and resin) and the various dominant modes of deformation of fabrics during the forming process. During simulation of composite fabric forming, where large displacement and relative rotation of fibres are possible, severe mesh distortions occur after a few incremental steps. Hence an automatic mesh generation with remeshing capabilities is essential to carry out the finite element analysis. Some numerical simulations of forming process are proposed and compared with the experimental results in order to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed approaches.     

Dislocation-based semi-analytical method for calculating stress intensity factors of cracks: Two-dimensional cases

Determination of the stress intensity factors of cracks is a fundamental issue for assessing the performance safety and predicting the service lifetime of engineering structures. In the present paper, a dislocation-based semi-analytical method is presented by integrating the continuous dislocation model with the finite element method together. Using the superposition principle, a two-dimensional crack problem in a finite elastic body is reduced to the solution of a set of coupled singular integral equations and the calculation of the stress fields of a body which has the same shape as the original one but has no crack. It can easily solve crack problems of structures with arbitrary shape, and the calculated stress intensity factors show almost no dependence upon the finite element mesh. Some representative examples are given to illustrate the efficacy and accuracy of this novel numerical method. Only two-dimensional cases are addressed here, but this method can be extended to three-dimensional problems.     

A superposition approach to the stress fields for various blunt V‐notches

This paper deals with the problems of blunt V‐notch with various notch shapes. The purpose is to develop a new method capable of obtaining more accurate solutions for the stress fields around a blunt V‐notch tip under opening and sliding modes. The key method is to use the principle of superposition for linear elastic materials. On the basis of the superposition method and the conventional stress fields for a sharp V‐notch, the stress fields useful for any shapes of blunt V‐notch is proposed. The notch stress intensity factors are estimated by the numerical analysis with finite element analysis, and then the effectiveness and validation of the proposed superposition approach are discussed by comparison with the results from the literature.     

Immersed stress method for fluid–structure interaction using anisotropic mesh adaptation

This paper presents advancements toward a monolithic solution procedure and anisotropic mesh adaptation for the numerical solution of fluid–structure interaction with complex geometry. First, a new stabilized three‐field stress, velocity, and pressure finite element formulation is presented for modeling the interaction between the fluid (laminar or turbulent) and the rigid body. The presence of the structure will be taken into account by means of an extra stress in the Navier–Stokes equations. The system is solved using a finite element variational multiscale method. We combine this method with anisotropic mesh adaptation to ensure an accurate capturing of the discontinuities at the fluid–solid interface. We assess the behavior and accuracy of the proposed formulation in the simulation of 2D and 3D time‐dependent numerical examples such as the flow past a circular cylinder and turbulent flows behind an immersed helicopter in a forward flight. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A framework for implementation of RVE‐based multiscale models in computational homogenization using isogeometric analysis

This study presents an isogeometric framework for incorporating representative volume element–based multiscale models into computational homogenization. First‐order finite deformation homogenization theory is derived within the framework of the method of multiscale virtual power, and Lagrange multipliers are used to illustrate the effects of considering different kinematical constraints. Using a Lagrange multiplier approach in the numerical implementation of the discrete system naturally leads to a consolidated treatment of the commonly employed representative volume element boundary conditions. Implementation of finite deformation computational strain‐driven, stress‐driven, and mixed homogenization is detailed in the context of isogeometric analysis (IGA), and performance is compared to standard finite element analysis. As finite deformations are considered, a numerical multiscale stability analysis procedure is also detailed for use with IGA. Unique implementation aspects that arise when computational homogenization is performed using IGA are discussed, and the developed framework is applied to a complex curved microstructure representing an architectured material.     

复合材料细观结构三维有限元网格模型的建立

提出了针对颗粒夹杂为椭球形状并呈随机分布的多相复合材料的三维有限元网格的建立方法,为复合材料细观结构研究提供了一种全自动的建模工具。引入了以体积为标度的任意两椭球骨料侵入的判别准则,实现了一种三维随机骨料的投放算法;在基于映射法的颗粒表面有限元网格生成算法中通过扫描线布点和局部连接技术较好地解决了网格极化现象;采用改进的三维AFT方法生成基体的四面体网格,并利用AFT特性一次生成所有颗粒夹杂的四面体网格;为进一步的复合材料细观结构与宏观力学性能的多尺度计算打下了基础。最后用几个算例验证了算法的有效性。     

Stress analysis of multi-phase and multi-layer plain weave composite structure using global/local approach

Detailed stress analyses of multi-phase and multi-layer (MPML) composite structures are computationally challenging due to the complexities of the microstructure. In this study, an effective bottom-up global/local analysis strategy is employed to determine local stresses in the MPML plain weave composite structures. On the basis of the finite element analysis, the procedure is carried out sequentially from the homogenized composite structure of the macro-scale to the parameterized detailed fiber tow model of the micro-scale. The bridge between two scales is realized by mapping the global analysis result as the boundary conditions of the local tow model and hence the influence of the global model refinement on the computing accuracy of local stress is particularly addressed. To verify the computing results of such a bottom-up global/local analysis, we use a refined finite element mesh of the MPML structure whose solution is considered as the standard of comparison. The proposed approach is finally applied to the MPML plain weave composite panel.     

Smart element method I. The Zienkiewicz–Zhu feedback

A new error control finite element formulation is developed and implemented based on the variational multiscale method, the inclusion theory in homogenization, and the Zienkiewicz–Zhu error estimator. By synthesizing variational multiscale method in computational mechanics, the equivalent eigenstrain principle in micromechanics, and the Zienkiewicz–Zhu error estimator in the finite element method (FEM), the new finite element formulation can automatically detect and subsequently homogenize its own discretization errors in a self‐adaptive and a self‐adjusting manner. It is the first finite element formulation that combines an optimal feedback mechanism and a precisely defined homogenization procedure to reduce its own discretization errors and hence to control numerical pollutions. The paper focuses on the following two issues: (1) how to combine a multiscale method with the existing finite element error estimate criterion through a feedback mechanism, and (2) convergence study. It has been shown that by combining the proposed variational multiscale homogenization method with the Zienkiewicz–Zhu error estimator a clear improvement can be made on the coarse scale computation. It is also shown that when the finite element mesh is refined, the solution obtained by the variational eigenstrain multiscale method will converge to the exact solution. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of stress intensity factors in cracked plates by the finite element method

Stress fields near crack tips in an elastic body can be specified by the stress intensity factors which are closely related to the stress singularities arising from the crack tips. These singularities, however, cannot be represented exactly by conventional finite element models. A new method for the analysis of stresses around cracks is proposed in this paper on the basis of the superposition of analytical and finite element solutions. This method is applied to several two-dimensional problems whose solutions are obtained analytically, and it is shown that their numerical results are in excellent agreement with analytical ones. Sufficiently accurate results can be obtained by the conventional finite element analysis with rather coarse mesh subdivision. Computational efforts are then considerably reduced compared with other methods.     

A scaled boundary finite element based explicit topology optimization approach for three-dimensional structures

This article proposes an efficient approach for solving three-dimensional (3D) topology optimization problem. In this approach, the number of design variables in optimization as well as the number of degrees of freedom in structural response analysis can be reduced significantly. This is accomplished through the use of scaled boundary finite element method (SBFEM) for structural analysis under the moving morphable component (MMC)-based topology optimization framework. In the proposed method, accurate response analysis in the boundary region dictates the accuracy of the entire analysis. In this regard, an adaptive refinement scheme is developed where the refined mesh is only used in the boundary region while relating coarse mesh is used away from the boundary. Numerical examples demonstrate that the computational efficiency of 3D topology optimization can be improved effectively by the proposed approach.     

Uncertainty analysis of elastostatic problems incorporating a new hybrid stochastic-spectral finite element method

This article aims to present a combination of stochastic finite element and spectral finite element methods as a new numerical tool for uncertainty quantification. One of the well-established numerical methods for reliability analysis of engineering systems is the stochastic finite element method. In this article, a commonly used version of the stochastic finite element method is combined with the spectral finite element method. Furthermore, the spectral finite element method is a numerical method employing special orthogonal polynomials (e.g., Lobatto) and quadrature schemes (e.g., Gauss-Lobatto-Legendre), leading to suitable accuracy, and much less domain discretization with excellent convergence as well. The proposed method of this article is a hybrid method utilizing efficiencies of both methods for analysis of stochastically linear elastostatic problems. Moreover, a spectral finite element method is proposed for numerical solution of a Fredholm integral equation followed by the present method, to provide further efficiencies to accelerate stochastic computations. Numerical examples indicate the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed method.     

Mixed mode fracture propagation by manifold method

The numerical manifold method combined with the virtual crack extension method is proposed to study the mixed mode fracture propagation. The manifold method is a new numerical method, and it provides a unified framework for solving problems dealing with both continuums and jointed materials. This new method can be considered as a generalized finite element method and discontinuous deformation analysis. One of the most innovative features of the method is that it employs both physical mesh and mathematical mesh to formulate the physical problem. These two meshes are separated and independent. They are inter-related through the application of weighting functions. A local mesh refinement and auto-remeshing schemes previously proposed by the authors are adopted in this study. The proposed model is first verified by comparing the numerical stress intensity factors with the benchmark solutions, and the results show satisfactory accuracy. The maximum tangential stress criterion is adopted and the mixed mode fracture propagation problems are then fully investigated. The numerical solutions by the present method agree well with the experimental results.     

考虑组合作用的钢-混凝土组合梁抗剪承载力

针对当前规范和各学者有关钢-混凝土组合梁抗剪承载力公式都未考虑钢梁翼缘抗剪贡献导致计算结果误差较大的现状,笔者采用合理的材料本构关系,通过ABAQUS有限元软件建立考虑栓钉受力特征的组合梁足尺有限元模型进行抗剪性能研究。在验证现有试验结果的基础上通过参数分析,确定了组合梁界限剪跨比,揭示了剪切荷载作用下组合梁栓钉内力重分布规律,以及钢梁与混凝土翼板组合作用规律与抗剪荷载分担比例。基于叠加原理提出了考虑混凝土板和钢梁腹板与翼缘抗剪贡献的工字钢-混凝土组合梁抗剪承载力计算公式。对比结果显示该文提出的抗剪承载力计算公式的精度比GB 50017?2017建议公式以及其他学者建议公式的精度高。     

Local enrichment of the finite cell method for problems with material interfaces

This paper proposes an efficient, hierarchical high-order enrichment approach for the finite cell method applied to problems of solid mechanics involving discontinuities and singularities. In contrast to the standard extended finite element method, where new degrees of freedom are introduced for all finite elements located in the enrichment zone, we define the enrichment on a so-called overlay mesh which is superimposed over the base mesh. The approximation on the base mesh is obtained by means of the finite cell method where the hp-d method is employed to introduce the hierarchical extension on the overlay mesh. We present two different strategies for defining the enrichment on the superimposed overlay mesh. In the first approach, the enrichment is based on a local h-, p- or hp-refinement utilizing the finite element method on the overlay mesh. Alternatively, the enrichment is constructed by means of the partition of unity method introducing carefully selected enrichment functions suitable for the problem at hand. Our results reveal that the proposed method improves the accuracy of the finite cell method significantly with only a minimum number of additional degrees of freedom. In this paper we will focus on examples with material interfaces although the method can also be applied to problems involving strong discontinuities and singularities. Accurate stress distribution and an exponential rate of convergence are the two striking characteristics of the proposed method. Due to the hierarchical approach it paves the way to using different approaches for the approximation on the base and the overlay mesh and accordingly allows multiscale problems to be addressed as well.     

Combining X-FEM and a multilevel mesh superposition method for the analysis of thick composite structures

The use of simultaneous multiple plate models offers an attractive and alternative solution to full scale three-dimensional finite element method for the global–local analysis of laminated composite structures. In this paper, an approach is proposed where the less accurate plate model, used to carry out the analysis at the global level, is enhanced by more accurate and complex plate models in each laminate subregion where more accurate transverse stress or strain estimation is required (the local level).The total displacement is represented as the superposition of the displacements of a number of plate models. By appropriately defining boundaries to the enhancing model/region, it is demonstrated that the superposition of displacements can be used to locally enrich the solution where accurate through-the-thickness stresses are required. In this manner, a computationally efficient global model can be used to determine gross displacements, and potentially the enriched models can be used to determine stresses at lamina interfaces for the accurate prediction of localized phenomena such as damage initiation and growth. The model is implemented combining an extended FEM (X-FEM) and multilevel mesh superposition approach (MMSA). Extra degrees-of-freedom are added to the model to represent the additional displacement fields, and the meshing process remains independent for each field.The displacements and stresses computed by this approach are compared to literature data and analytical solutions for various plate geometries and loads showing an excellent correlation. Morevoer, the results showed, as expected, that the accuracy of the approximation is improved by the proposed approach compared to using the global plate model alone.     

Automatic image‐based stress analysis by the scaled boundary finite element method

Digital imaging technologies such as X‐ray scans and ultrasound provide a convenient and non‐invasive way to capture high‐resolution images. The colour intensity of digital images provides information on the geometrical features and material distribution which can be utilised for stress analysis. The proposed approach employs an automatic and robust algorithm to generate quadtree (2D) or octree (3D) meshes from digital images. The use of polygonal elements (2D) or polyhedral elements (3D) constructed by the scaled boundary finite element method avoids the issue of hanging nodes (mesh incompatibility) commonly encountered by finite elements on quadtree or octree meshes. The computational effort is reduced by considering the small number of cell patterns occurring in a quadtree or an octree mesh. Examples with analytical solutions in 2D and 3D are provided to show the validity of the approach. Other examples including the analysis of 2D and 3D microstructures of concrete specimens as well as of a domain containing multiple spherical holes are presented to demonstrate the versatility and the simplicity of the proposed technique. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.