Stress concentration factor analysis for welded,notched tubular T-joints under combined axial,bending and dynamic loading

The finite element analysis will be used in this study to predict the location of hot-spot stresses in a welded tubular T-joint. The fillet weld has been modeled all around the joint. Using symmetry, the tubular T-joint is submitted to axial, in-plane bending (IPB) and out-of-plane bending (OPB) loadings. The finite element method analysis shows that stresses are very high on the brace member in the vicinity of the fillet weld and gradually decrease, with a quasi-stable difference, in the direction of the brace extremity. Both on the brace member and along the fillet weld (from crown to saddle), stresses are high at the crown toe, decrease in the middle and increase once again at the saddle point. From a general perspective, this stress distribution analysis reveals that hot-spot stresses (HSS) are located at the crown and saddle points. Dynamic loading greatly increases the stress concentration factor at the hot-spot stress (HSS) located on the brace member where fatigue damage is capable of appearing quickly. In the U-notch, this stress concentration factor (SCF) increases as notch width decreases. In a general way therefore, stress concentration factors decrease on the brace and chord members (in the vicinity of the weld) and increase considerably in the notch, which underscores the deleterious nature of such a defect. Consequently, these zones (HSS) require reinforcement solutions in order to ensure a sufficiently long fatigue life for offshore structures.     

Numerical and analytical study of severity of cracks in cylindrical and spherical shells

The present study deals with the severity of cracks in pressure equipments, where such defects are often involved. Our work is particularly concerned with the problem of cylindrical shells and also the little well-known problem of spherical shells, including all sorts of practical defects, namely axisymmetric or semi-elliptic, both internal and external cracks. The stress intensity factor in the linear elastic domain and the J integral in the elastoplastic range are performed using the finite element method and compared to the results provided by the application of the semi-analytical A16 or R6 simplified criteria, depending on a limit load calculation. The nocivity of the defects depends on the crack shape and size and other structural geometrical parameters. Use is made of a polynomial decomposition of the stress field in the vicinity of the crack in order to cover all industrial loadings. All the numerical results, for a wide range of shell and crack geometries, are depicted using appropriate tables and curves in order to check the fracture criteria more easily.     

Communication system for high-performance distributed computing

With the current advances in computer and networking technology coupled with the availability of software tools for parallel and distributed computing, there has been increased interest in high-performance distributed computing (HPDC). We envision that HPDC environments with supercomputing capabilities will be available in the near future. However, a number of issues have to be resolved before future network-based applications can fully exploit the potential of the HPDC environment. In the paper we present an architecture for a high-speed local area network and a communication system that provides HPDC applications with high bandwidth and low latency. We also characterize the message-passing primitives required in HPDC applications and develop a communication protocol that implements these primitives efficiently.     

Application of a simplified method to evaluate the inelastic state due to fretting fatigue

The simulation of fretting fatigue with the classical incremental method results in the lengthy and repeated calculations. This paper presents a simplified analysis method for the modeling of the mechanical behavior of inelastic state due to fretting fatigue. This approach has been proposed by Zarka et al. in order to predict the nature of the limit state of structures and the structural behavior under cyclic loading. It decreases significantly the computational complexity and duration of the calculations in comparison to classical incremental formulations.This approach is applied to the problem of dry contact between cylider pads agians flat specimen. The calculations results are in good agreement with the experimental observations.     

Contributing Authors

Editorial Introduction

Contributing authors     

Synthesis of ABC miktoarm star block copolymers from a new heterotrifunctional initiator by combination of ATRP and ROP

We described the obtention of well-defined ABC star block copolymers through the use of a new heterotrifunctional initiator. That way, well-defined PCL-arm–PS-arm–PLLA star block copolymers have been synthesized from a heterotrifunctional initiator bearing two hydroxyl groups able to initiate ROP of CL and LLA (using Sn(Oct)₂ as coinitiator) and a bromide function able to initiate ATRP of styrene.     

Effect of shape memory alloy actuation on the dynamic response of polymeric composite plates

Dynamic properties such as the natural frequency of a structure have a significant role in the design process. The importance of this consideration is because of resonance. In this case, the amplitude of the vibration is magnified to levels that may lead to a catastrophic event. While the usual design process depends on the collected experiences and statistical data, a developing trend is to implement smart technologies to develop smart structures that are capable of self-monitoring, diagnostics and repair. Smart material components such as shape memory alloys (SMAs) and piezoelectric ceramics are increasingly being used by vibration control practitioners. In this paper, the alteration of the natural frequency of composite structures using nitinol-based shape memory alloy wires will be presented using the analyses of strain energy perturbations on a plate. These governing strain equations will be solved analytically and numerically to show the effect of point forces acting in a distributive manner and the subsequent effect it has on the plate’s stiffness and hence it’s natural frequency. Different SMA configurations placement will be studied and compared to computational and experimental findings in order to optimize the control strategy.