A frictional spring and cohesive contact model for accurate simulation of contact forces in numerical manifold method

“Open-close iteration” is a crucial algorithm for handling complex contacts in numerical manifold method (NMM) and discontinuous deformation analysis (DDA). This algorithm has proved to be robust and efficient for decades. However, as some researchers have pointed out, the original open-close iteration may involve errors in sliding tests, especially in critical sliding tests with cohesive contacts. In this study, two major problems in the original algorithm are found to be nonconvergent contact force and early removed cohesive strength. The modifications are the following: (a) a frictional spring. By avoiding the trail value of normal contact force, we added a new frictional spring to the iteration scheme. This spring can apply accurate friction and can help ensure the convergence of contact forces. (b) A cohesive contact model. The original scheme can encounter an “early failure” in cohesive contacts. After investigating how contacts provide shear resistance, we found the cause and then provided a simple correction of the cohesive issue. The new algorithms in this article are essential for accurately simulating contacts by NMM/DDA.     

Effects of time integration schemes on discontinuous deformation simulations using the numerical manifold method

Numerical stability by using certain time integration scheme is a critical issue for accurate simulation of discontinuous deformations of solids. To investigate the effects of the time integration schemes on the numerical stability of the numerical manifold method, the implicit time integration schemes, ie, the Newmark, the HHT‐α, and the WBZ‐α methods, and the explicit time integration algorithms, ie, the central difference, the Zhai's, and Chung‐Lee methods, are implemented. Their performance is examined by conducting transient response analysis of an elastic strip subjected to constant loading, impact analysis of an elastic rod with an initial velocity, and excavation analysis of jointed rock masses, respectively. Parametric studies using different time steps are conducted for different time integration algorithms, and the convergence efficiency of the open‐close iterations for the contact problems is also investigated. It is proved that the Hilber‐Hughes‐Taylor‐α (HHT‐α), Wood‐Bossak‐Zienkiewicz‐α (WBZ‐α), Zhai's, and Chung‐Lee methods are more attractive in solving discontinuous deformation problems involving nonlinear contacts. It is also found that the examined explicit algorithms showed higher computational efficiency compared to those implicit algorithms within acceptable computational accuracy.     

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.     

Numerical manifold method based on the method of weighted residuals

Usually, the governing equations of the numerical manifold method (NMM) are derived from the minimum potential energy principle. For many applied problems it is difficult to derive in general outset the functional forms of the governing equations. This obviously strongly restricts the implementation of the minimum potential energy principle or other variational principles in NMM. In fact, the governing equations of NMM can be derived from a more general method of weighted residuals. By choosing suitable weight functions, the derivation of the governing equations of the NMM from the weighted residual method leads to the same result as that derived from the minimum potential energy principle. This is demonstrated in the paper by deriving the governing equations of the NMM for linear elasticity problems, and also for Laplaces equation for which the governing equations of the NMM cannot be derived from the minimum potential energy principle. The performance of the method is illustrated by three numerical examples.     

基于高阶DG方法的非定常流场声辐射特性数值模拟研究

随着航空噪声越来越受到关注,计算声传播的算法成为研究热点。高阶间断伽辽金(Discontinuous Galerkin,DG)方法具有高精度、对网格质量要求低、适合自适应和并行计算等优点,可以以较高的效率对声场进行计算。文章运用高阶DG方法对线性化欧拉方程(Linearized Euler Equations, LEE)进行空间离散,并且基于离散后的线性化欧拉方程对带有背景流场的NACA0012翼型和30P30N多段翼型的声场进行数值计算。采用有限体积法计算得出流场信息后,通过插值将流场数据导入声场网格,并运用高阶DG方法进行声场计算。计算结果与参考文献中FW-H(Ffowcs Williams-Hawkings)算法对比一致性较好,验证了高阶DG算法的可行性。     

Development of contact algorithm for three‐dimensional numerical manifold method

This paper customizes a contact detection and enforcing scheme to fit the three‐dimensional (3‐D) numerical manifold method (NMM). A hierarchical contact system is established for efficient contact detection. The mathematical mesh, a unique component in the NMM, is utilized for global searching of possible contact blocks and elements, followed by the local searching to identify primitive hierarchies. All the potential contact pairs are then transformed into one of the two essential entrance modes: point‐to‐plane and crossing‐lines modes, among which real contact pairs are detected through a unified formula. The penalty method is selected to enforce the contact constraints, and a general contact solution procedure in the 3‐D NMM is established. Because of the implicit framework, an open‐close iteration is performed within each time step to determine the correct number of contact pairs among multi‐bodies and to achieve complete convergence of imposed contact force at corresponding position. The proposed contact algorithm extensively utilizes most of the original components of the NMM, namely, the mathematical mesh/cells and the manifold elements, as well as the external components associated with contacts, such as the contact body, the contact facet and the contact vertex. In particular, the utilization of two mutually approaching mathematical cells is efficient in detecting contacting territory, which makes this method particularly effective for both convex and non‐convex bodies. The validity and accuracy of the proposed contact algorithm are verified and demonstrated through three benchmark problems. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

不连续变形分析及其在拆除爆破研究中的应用

分析了当前爆破拆除研究现状，简要介绍了不连续变形法的基本概念和算法及该法在工程爆破领域中的一些研究成果。     

Dynamic high order numerical manifold method based on weighted residual method

High Order Numerical Manifold Method (HONMM) is a powerful method to solve static problems. A development of HONMM to achieve a dynamic solution with high accuracy and less computational cost is addressed in the current paper. In the developed method, the global approximation is obtained through increasing the order of local approximation functions without any Linear Dependence (LD) of the unknowns. The weighted residual formulations are modified to be used in dynamic high order simulation. Moreover, a modified Newmark method formulation is adjusted for time integration of high order equations. The superiority of the proposed method over the conventional NMM is demonstrated through a special beam example. The dynamic free fall block example is used to exhibit the removal of mass matrix singularity. As cases of dynamic analysis, beam free and forced vibrations are illustrated which include a moving load. Finally, a non‐uniform cross‐section beam under dynamic variable loads with accelerated motion is solved while demonstrating the capability of the new method such as simplicity, accuracy and time efficiency for simulation of complex dynamic problems. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

考虑岩石应变率效应的DDA程序

针对原经典DDA程序在研究岩石动力学问题时不考虑岩石的应变率效应,在DDA程序中引入与岩石应变率相关的动态强度表达式,将块体间接触弹簧破坏准则发展为动态破坏准则,进而完善DDA程序对岩石动力学破坏问题的处理能力。用原DDA程序和改进DDA程序对动载作用下岩石单轴拉、压破坏实验进行模拟,两者的模拟结果对比分析表明:在不同的加载速率作用下,原DDA程序得到的失效应力和破坏形式基本没有变化,这与实验结果不相符。但是,在不同的加载速率作用下,改进的DDA程序得到破坏形式能与实验结果相符,且能体现动载作用下岩石动态强度随加载速率的提高而增大的强度特性。     

Thermal post-buckling analysis of functionally graded material elliptical plates based on high-order shear deformation theory

Thermal post-buckling analysis is first presented for functionally graded elliptical plates based on high-order shear deformation theory in different thermal environments. Material properties are assumed to be temperature-dependent and graded in the thickness direction. Ritz method is employed to determine the central deflection-temperature curves, the validity of which can be confirmed by comparison with related researchers' results; it is worth noting that the forms of approximate solutions are well chosen in consideration of both simplicity and accuracy. Influences played by different supported boundaries, thermal environmental conditions, ratio of major to minor axis, and volume fraction index are discussed in detail.     

高阶流形方法及其应用

流形方法是一种可进行连续与非连续变形问题分析的灵活而有效的数值计算方法。本文详细地推导了二阶流形方法的具体计算列式,分别开发了一阶流形方法与二阶流形方法的计算程序．通过实例计算表明：提高覆盖函数的阶次可有效地提高流形方法的计算精度。     

Numerical analysis of fringe patterns recorded in holographic interferometry using high-order ambiguity function

This letter introduces a new approach for the demodulation of fringe patterns recorded in holographic interferometry using high-order ambiguity function (HAF). The proposed approach is capable of retrieving the phase from a single fringe pattern. The main advantage of this approach is that it directly provides an estimation of the continuous phase distribution and thereby avoids the necessity of using a cumbersome 2D phase unwrapping procedure. This method first computes the discrete-time analytic signal of the recorded fringe pattern. Then, by modelling this analytic signal as a polynomial phase signal embedded in additive complex white Gaussian noise, a parametric estimation procedure based on HAF is employed to directly estimate the unwrapped phase distribution. Numerical simulations and experimental results demonstrate the potential of the proposed approach.     

A static discrete element method with discontinuous deformation analysis

For discrete element methods (DEMs), integrating the equation of motion based on Newton's second law is an integral part of the computation. Accelerations and velocities are involved even for modeling static mechanics problems. As a consequence, the accuracy can be ruined and numerous calculation steps are required to converge. In this study, we propose a static DEM based on discontinuous deformation analysis (DDA). The force of inertia is removed to develop a set of static equilibrium equations for distinct blocks. It inherits the advantages of DDA in dealing with distinct block system such as jointed rock structures. Furthermore, the critical numerical artifact in DDA, ie, artificial springs between contact blocks, is avoided. Accurate numerical solution can be achieved in mere one calculation step. Last but not the least, since the method is formulated in the framework of mathematical programming, the implementation can be easily conducted with standard and readily available solvers. Its accuracy and efficiency are verified against a series of benchmarks found in the literature.     

Modeling complex crack problems using the numerical manifold method

In the numerical manifold method, there are two kinds of covers, namely mathematical cover and physical cover. Mathematical covers are independent of the physical domain of the problem, over which weight functions are defined. Physical covers are the intersection of the mathematical covers and the physical domain, over which cover functions with unknowns to be determined are defined. With these two kinds of covers, the method is quite suitable for modeling discontinuous problems. In this paper, complex crack problems such as multiple branched and intersecting cracks are studied to exhibit the advantageous features of the numerical manifold method. Complex displacement discontinuities across crack surfaces are modeled by different cover functions in a natural and straightforward manner. For the crack tip singularity, the asymptotic near tip field is incorporated to the cover function of the singular physical cover. By virtue of the domain form of the interaction integral, the mixed mode stress intensity factors are evaluated for three typical examples. The excellent results show that the numerical manifold method is prominent in modeling the complex crack problems.     

A general discontinuous Galerkin method for finite hyperelasticity. Formulation and numerical applications

A discontinuous Galerkin formulation of the boundary value problem of finite‐deformation elasticity is presented. The primary purpose is to establish a discontinuous Galerkin framework for large deformations of solids in the context of statics and simple material behaviour with a view toward further developments involving behaviour or models where the DG concept can show its superiority compared to the continuous formulation. The method is based on a general Hu–Washizu–de Veubeke functional allowing for displacement and stress discontinuities in the domain interior. It is shown that this approach naturally leads to the formulation of average stress fluxes at interelement boundaries in a finite element implementation. The consistency and linearized stability of the method in the non‐linear range as well as its convergence rate are proven. An implementation in three dimensions is developed, showing that the proposed method can be integrated into conventional finite element codes in a straightforward manner. In order to demonstrate the versatility, accuracy and robustness of the method examples of application and convergence studies in three dimensions are provided. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Improving the modified XFEM for optimal high-order approximation

This paper investigates the accuracy of high-order extended finite element methods (XFEMs) for the solution of discontinuous problems with both straight and curved weak discontinuities in two dimensions. The modified XFEM, a specific form of the stable generalised finite element method, is found to offer advantages in cost and complexity over other approaches, but suffers from suboptimal rates of convergence due to spurious higher-order contributions to the approximation space. An improved modified XFEM is presented, with basis functions “corrected” by projecting out higher-order contributions that cannot be represented by the standard finite element basis. The resulting corrections are independent of the equations being solved and need be pre-computed only once for geometric elements of a given order. An accurate numerical integration scheme that correctly integrates functions with curved discontinuities is also presented. Optimal rates of convergence are then recovered for Poisson problems with both straight and quadratically curved discontinuities for approximations up to order p ≤ 4. These are the first truly optimal convergence results achieved using the XFEM for a curved weak discontinuity and are also the first optimally convergent results achieved using the modified XFEM for any problem with approximations of order p>1. Almost optimal rates of convergence are recovered for an elastic problem with a circular weak discontinuity for approximations up to order p ≤ 4.     

Numerical manifold method for dynamic consolidation of saturated porous media with three-field formulation

In terms of the three-field formulation of Biot's dynamic consolidation theory, the numerical manifold method (NMM) is developed, where the same approximation to skeleton displacement ( u ) and fluid velocity ( w ) is employed and able to reflect incompressible as well as compressible deformation, but the approximation to pore pressure (p ) takes two different types, respectively. The first type of approximation to p is continuous piecewise linear interpolation and the second type assumes that p is a constant within each element. It is verified that using the second type of approximation to p naturally satisfies the inf-sup condition even in the limits of rigid skeleton and very low permeability, avoiding the locking problem accordingly. Energy components done by various forces are calculated to verify the accuracy and stability of the time integration scheme. A mass lumping technique in the NMM framework is employed to effectively reduce the unphysical oscillations and increase computational efficiency, which is another unique advantage of NMM over other numerical methods. A number of numerical tests are conducted to demonstrate the robustness and versatility of the proposed mixed NMM models.     

Stencil reduction algorithms for the local discontinuous Galerkin method

The problem of reducing the stencil of the local discontinuous Galerkin method applied to second‐order differential operator is discussed. Heuristic algorithms to minimize the total number of non‐zero blocks of the reduced stiffness matrix are presented and tested on a wide variety of unstructured and structured grids in 2D and 3D. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

数值流形方法用于岩石爆破数值计算的可行性浅析

数值流形方法是一种新的可综合用于求解连续与非连续介质力学的数值计算方法,通过对该方法的基本理论与求解思想的分析表明,该方法应用在岩石爆破数值模拟中是一个可行的数值分析方法,并对其在实际应用中应注意和需要解决的问题进行了分析,对其应用于实际具有参考作用.     

Convergence study of 2D forward problem of electrical impedance tomography with high-order finite elements

A convergence study of the forward problem of electrical impedance tomography is performed using triangular high-order piecewise polynomial finite-element methods (p-FEM) on a square domain. The computation of p-FEM for the complete electrode model (CEM) is outlined and a novel analytic solution to the CEM on a square domain is presented. Errors as a function of mesh-refinement and computational time, as well as convergence rates as a function of contact impedance, are computed numerically for different polynomial approximation orders. It is demonstrated that p-FEM can generate more accurate forward solutions in less computational time, which implies more accurate simulated interior potentials, electrode voltages and conductivity Jacobians.