Towards Eliminating the Displacement Bias Due to Out‐Of‐Plane Motion in 2D Inverse Problems: A Case of General Rigid‐Body Motion

This article reports an important development related to the inverse characterization of material constitutive parameters using 2D optical displacement field measurements. The out‐of‐plane motion of the specimen, which has traditionally been considered detrimental to the accuracy of these experiments, is generally of two types: (a) a global out‐of‐plane rigid‐body motion of the specimen relative to the camera and (b) out‐of‐plane deformations resulting from material heterogeneity or out‐of‐plane loads. In an earlier article, we proposed to partially relax the condition of no out‐of‐plane motion by allowing for (b) in 2D inverse procedures, in the context of finite element update method, and introduced a compensation strategy by redefining the cost function on the object plane of the acquisition system. The experimental errors due to (a) were assumed negligible. Here, we propose that the global rigid‐body motion (a) may also be recovered within the inverse procedures, hence completely waiving the condition of strictly in‐plane displacements for inverse problems. The recovery is achieved by identifying and including the possible modes of global rigid‐body motion within the cost function together with careful selection of test configuration. The effects of individual rigid‐body modes on the computed displacement fields are studied in detail and utilized as a guideline for selection of test configuration. The approach is fully demonstrated and validated by simulated as well as real experiments for determining elastic constants of isotropic and orthotropic materials using different experimental setups. Effects of improving the optimization routine, for cost function minimization, and experimental noise are also presented.     

Three‐dimensional analyses of in‐plane and out‐of‐plane crack‐tip constraint characterization for fracture specimens

Three‐dimensional elastic–plastic finite element analyses have been conducted for 21 experimental specimens with different in‐plane and out‐of‐plane constraints in the literature. The distributions of five constraint parameters (namely T‐stress, Q, h, T_z and A_p) along crack fronts (specimen thickness) for the specimens were calculated. The capability and applicability of the parameters for characterizing in‐plane and out‐of‐plane crack‐tip constraints and establishing unified correlation with fracture toughness of a steel were investigated. The results show that the four constraint parameters (T‐stress, Q, h and T_z) based on crack‐tip stress fields are only sensitive to in‐plane or out‐of‐plane constraints. Therefore, the monotonic unified correlation curves with fracture toughness (toughness loci) cannot obtained by using them. The parameter A_p based on crack‐tip equivalent plastic strain is sensitive to both in‐plane and out‐of‐plane constraints, and may effectively characterize both of them. The monotonic unified correlation curves with fracture toughness can be obtained by using A_p. In structural integrity assessments, the correlation curves may be used in the failure assessment diagram (FAD) methodology for incorporating both in‐plane and out‐of‐plane constraint effects in structures for improving accuracy.     

Three‐dimensional analyses of unified characterization parameter of in‐plane and out‐of‐plane creep constraint

Based on extensive three‐dimensional finite element analyses, the unified characterization parameter A_c of in‐plane and out‐of‐plane creep constraint based on crack‐tip equivalent creep strain for three specimen geometries (C(T), SEN(T) and M(T)) were quantified for 316H steel at 550 °C and steady‐state creep. The distributions of the parameter A_c along crack fronts (specimen thickness) were calculated, and its capability and applicability for characterizing a wide range of in‐plane and out‐of‐plane creep constraints in different specimen geometries have been comparatively analysed with the constraint parameters based on crack‐tip stress fields (namely R*, h and T_Z). The results show that the parameter A_c in the centre region of all specimens appears uniform distribution and lower value (higher constraint), and in the region near free surface it shows protuberant distribution and higher value (lower constraint). The parameter A_c can simultaneously and effectively characterize a wide range of in‐plane and out‐of‐plane creep constraints, while the parameters R*, h and T_Z based on crack‐tip stress fields cannot achieve this. The different capabilities of these parameters for characterizing in‐plane and out‐of‐plane creep constraints originate from their underlying theories. The parameter A_c may be useful for accurately characterizing the overall constraint level composed of in‐plane and out‐of‐plane constraints in actual high‐temperature components, and it may be used in creep life assessments for improving accuracy.     

Towards Material Testing 2.0. A review of test design for identification of constitutive parameters from full‐field measurements

Full‐field optical measurements like digital image correlation or the grid method have brought a paradigm shift in the experimental mechanics community. While inverse identification techniques like finite element model updating or the virtual fields method have been the object of significant developments, current test methods, inherited from the age of strain gauges or linear variable displacement transducers, are generally not well adapted to the rich information provided by these new measurement tools. This paper provides a review of the research dealing with the design and optimization of heterogeneous mechanical tests for the identification of material parameters from full‐field measurements, christened here Material Testing 2.0 (MT2.0).     

An inverse finite‐element algorithm for parameter identification of thermoelastic damage models

In this contribution an algorithm for parameter identification of thermoelastic damage models is proposed, in which non‐uniform distributions of the state variables such as stresses, strains, damage variables and temperature are taken into account. To this end a least‐squares functional consisting of experimental data and simulated data is minimized, whereby the latter are obtained with the finite‐element method. In order to improve the efficiency of the minimization process, a gradient‐based optimization algorithm is applied, and therefore the corresponding sensitivity analysis for the coupled variational problem is described in a systematic manner. For illustrative purpose, the performance of the algorithm is demonstrated for a non‐homogeneous shear problem with thermal loading. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Buckling of folded plate structures subjected to partial in‐plane edge loads by the FSDT meshfree Galerkin method

This paper presents a meshfree Galerkin method that is based on the first‐order shear deformation theory (FSDT) to study the elastic buckling behaviour of stiffened and un‐stiffened folded plates under partial in‐plane edge loads. The un‐stiffened folded plates are modelled as assemblies of flat plates. The stiffness and initial stress matrices of the flat plates are derived by the meshfree Galerkin method. A treatment is implemented to modify the stiffness and initial stress matrices, and the matrices are then superposed to obtain the stiffness and initial stress matrix of the entire folded plate. The analytical process for stiffened folded plates is similar, except that the effects of the stiffeners must be taken into account. Because no mesh is required, the proposed method is superior for studying problems that would involve remeshing in the finite element method. Several examples are employed to show the convergence and accuracy of the proposed method. The results obtained show good agreement with the results computed from the finite element analysis software ANSYS. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A novel unsymmetric 8‐node plane element immune to mesh distortion under a quadratic displacement field

An 8‐node quadrilateral plane finite element is developed based on a novel unsymmetric formulation which is characterized by the use of two sets of shape functions, viz., the compatibility enforcing shape functions and completeness enforcing shape functions. The former are chosen to satisfy exactly the minimum inter‐ as well as intra‐element displacement continuity requirements, while the latter are chosen to satisfy all the (linear and higher order) completeness requirements so as to reproduce exactly a quadratic displacement field. Numerical results from test problems reveal that the new element is indeed capable of reproducing exactly a complete quadratic displacement field under all types of admissible mesh distortions. In this respect, the proposed 8‐node unsymmetric element emerges to be better than the existing symmetric QUAD8, QUAD8/9, QUAD9, QUAD12 and QUAD16 elements, and matches the performance of the quartic element, QUAD25. For test problems involving a cubic or higher order displacement field, the proposed element yields a solution accuracy that is comparable to or better than that of QUAD8, QUAD8/9 and QUAD9 elements. Furthermore, the element maintains a good accuracy even with the reduced 2× 2 numerical integration. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mesh‐free radial point interpolation method for the buckling analysis of Mindlin plates subjected to in‐plane point loads

In this paper, a mesh‐free approach is employed for buckling analysis of Mindlin plates that are subjected to in‐plane point loads. The radial point interpolation method (RPIM) is used to approximate displacements based on nodes. Variational forms of the system equations are established. Two‐step solution procedures are implemented. The non‐uniform pre‐stress distribution of plate is first obtained using the RPIM based on a two‐dimensional (2D) elastic plane stress problem. This predetermined non‐uniform pre‐stress distribution is then used to compute buckling loads of plate using the RPIM based on Mindlin's plate assumption. The RPIM can easily handle any number and location of nodes in the plate domain for a desired computational accuracy without major difficulties in solving the initial stresses and buckling loads. Numerical examples considered here include circular and rectangular Mindlin plates that are subjected to in‐plane uniform and point loads with different aspect ratios and boundary conditions. The present results are validated against the available analytical and numerical solutions. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A finite‐volume particle‐in‐cell method for the numerical treatment of Maxwell‐Lorentz equations on boundary‐fitted meshes

A new conceptual framework solving numerically the time‐dependent Maxwell–Lorentz equations on a non‐rectangular quadrilateral mesh in two space dimensions is presented. Beyond a short review of the applied particle treatment based on the particle‐in‐cell method, a finite‐volume scheme for the numerical approximation of the Maxwell equations is introduced using non‐rectangular quadrilateral grid arrangements. The coupling of a high‐resolution FV Maxwell solver with the PIC method is a new approach in the context of self‐consistent charged particle simulation in electromagnetic fields. Furthermore, first simulation results of the time‐dependent behaviour of an externally applied‐B ion diode developed at the Forschungszentrum in Karlsruhe are presented. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A non‐linear interface element for 3D mesoscale analysis of brick‐masonry structures

This paper presents a novel interface element for the geometric and material non‐linear analysis of unreinforced brick‐masonry structures. In the proposed modelling approach, the blocks are modelled using 3D continuum solid elements, whereas the mortar and brick–mortar interfaces are modelled by means of the 2D non‐linear interface element. This enables the representation of any 3D arrangement for brick‐masonry, accounting for the in‐plane stacking mode and the through‐thickness geometry, and importantly it allows the investigation of both the in‐plane and the out‐of‐plane responses of unreinforced masonry panels. A co‐rotational approach is employed for the interface element, which shifts the treatment of geometric non‐linearity to the level of discrete entities, and enables the consideration of material non‐linearity within a simplified local framework employing first‐order kinematics. In this respect, the internal interface forces are modelled by means of elasto‐plastic material laws based on work‐softening plasticity and employing multi‐surface plasticity concepts. Following the presentation of the interface element formulation details, several experimental–numerical comparisons are provided for the in‐plane and out‐of‐plane static behaviours of brick‐masonry panels. The favourable results achieved demonstrate the accuracy and the significant potential of using the developed interface element for the non‐linear analysis of brick‐masonry structures under extreme loading conditions. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

In‐Field Measurement of Forces and Deformations at the Rear End of a Motorcycle and Structural Optimisation: Experimental–Numerical Approach Aimed at Structural Optimisation

Abstract: The present study concerns the analysis of the asymmetric displacement behaviour of the rear part of a motorcycle. Stylistic reasons led to the design of a vehicle with only one suspension located on the left‐hand side. Experimental tests performed on a circuit with seven obstacles along a straight line confirmed that the bending displacement is higher on the right‐hand side than on the left. This study aimed to perform a structural optimisation of the components involved at the rear end of the motorcycle, to find a solution to the problem. A hybrid approach is applied: the force acting on the suspension and bending displacements at the rear end were simultaneously measured in working conditions; a finite‐element method model was then set up, validated and applied for design optimisation purposes. Both methodological aspects and applicative results are presented and discussed. Finally, a solution in accordance with design specifics is proposed.     

An object‐oriented framework for the implementation of adjoint techniques in the design and control of complex continuum systems

Specific object‐oriented software design concepts are elaborated for a novel implementation of a class of adjoint optimization problems typical of the infinite‐dimensional design and control of continuum systems. For clarity, the design steps and ideas are elucidated using an inverse natural convection design problem. Effective application of software design concepts such as inheritance, data encapsulation, information hiding, etc., is demonstrated through instances from the example considered. Two test numerical examples are considered and the CPU statistics for one of these problems are compared with those corresponding to a procedural implementation of the same problem. The numerical examples include a three‐dimensional inverse design problem that demonstrates the effectiveness of the present object‐oriented approach in developing dimension‐independent robust design codes. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A topological optimization approach for structural design of a high‐speed low‐load mechanism using the equivalent static loads method

In high‐speed low‐load mechanisms, the principal loads are the inertial forces caused by the high accelerations and velocities. Hence, mechanical design should consider lightweight structures to minimize such loads. In this paper, a topological optimization method is presented on the basis of the equivalent static loads method. Finite element (FE) models of the mechanism in different positions are constructed, and the equivalent loads are obtained using flexible multibody dynamics simulation. Kinetic DOFs are used to simulate the motion joints, and a quasi‐static analysis is performed to obtain the structural responses. The element sensitivity is calculated according to the static‐load‐equivalent equilibrium, in such a way that the influence on the inertial force is considered. A dimensionless component sensitivity factor (strain energy caused by unit load divided by kinetic energy from unit velocity) is used, which quantifies the significance of each element. Finally, the topological optimization approach is presented on the basis of the evolutionary structural optimization method, where the objective is to find the maximum ratio of strain energy to kinetic energy. In order to show the efficiency of the presented method, we presented two numerical cases. The results of these analyses show that the presented method is more efficient and can be easily implemented in commercial FE analysis software. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.