Finite element of slender beams in finite transformations: a geometrically exact approach

This article is devoted to the modelling of thin beams undergoing finite deformations essentially due to bending and torsion and to their numerical resolution by the finite element method. The solution proposed here differs from the approaches usually implemented to treat thin beams, as it can be qualified as ‘geometrically exact’. Two numerical models are proposed. The first one is a non‐linear Euler–Bernoulli model while the second one is a non‐linear Rayleigh model. The finite element method is tested on several numerical examples in statics and dynamics, and validated through comparison with analytical solutions, experimental observations and the geometrically exact approach of the Reissner beam theory initiated by Simo. The numerical result shows that this approach is a good alternative to the modelling of non‐linear beams, especially in statics. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Retailers' tagging practices: a potential liability?

This study investigates the coverage of federally mandated information on over‐the‐counter (OTC) drug labels by electronic article surveillance (EAS) tags applied to the exterior of cartons. Using adult‐strength analgesics containing acetaminophen as a case study, researchers investigated the issue in Houston, Texas (24 stores) and Lansing, Michigan (33 stores). The information obscured by EAS tags was identified and classified for a total of 849 packages using a standardized data collection instrument. The results indicated that 293 packages examined, or 34.5%, had information mandated by the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) fully or partially obscured by the EAS tags. Retailers and manufacturers should be aware of such practices to reduce potential liability. Recommendations for improving EAS tag usage on OTC products are presented. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An improvement of the EDI method in linear elastic fracture mechanics by means of an a posteriori error estimator in G

In this paper, an error estimator that quantifies the effect of the finite element discretization error on the computation of the stress intensity factor in linear elastic fracture mechanics is presented. In order to obtain the proposed estimator, a shape design sensitivity analysis (SDSA) is applied to the fracture mechanics problem. Following this approach, one of the most efficient post‐processing techniques for computing the strain energy release rate G, the well‐known EDI method, may be interpreted as a continuum method of the SDSA. The proposed error estimator is based on the recovery of the gradient fields and its reliability has been checked by means of numerical problems, yielding very good estimations of the true error. The new estimator remarkably improves the results given by a previous error estimator, which is based on a discrete analytical approach of SDSA. As a consequence, the combination of the new error estimator and the result given by the EDI method provides a much more accurate estimation of G. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A coupling of multi‐zone curved Galerkin BEM with finite elements for independently modelled sub‐domains with non‐matching nodes in elasticity

When the different parts of a structure are modelled independently by BEM or FEM methods, it is sometimes necessary to put the parts together without remeshing of the nodes along the part interfaces. Frequently the nodes do not match along the interface. In this work, the symmetric Galerkin multi‐zone curved boundary element is a fully symmetric formulation and is the method used for the boundary element part. For BEM–FEM coupling it is then necessary to interpolate the tractions in‐between the non‐matching nodes for the FEM part. Finally, the coupling is achieved by transforming the finite element domains to equivalent boundary element domains in a block symmetric formulation. This system is then coupled with a boundary element domain with non‐matching nodes in‐between. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Partition of unity enrichment for bimaterial interface cracks

Partition of unity enrichment techniques are developed for bimaterial interface cracks. A discontinuous function and the two‐dimensional near‐tip asymptotic displacement functions are added to the finite element approximation using the framework of partition of unity. This enables the domain to be modelled by finite elements without explicitly meshing the crack surfaces. The crack‐tip enrichment functions are chosen as those that span the asymptotic displacement fields for an interfacial crack. The concept of partition of unity facilitates the incorporation of the oscillatory nature of the singularity within a conforming finite element approximation. The mixed‐mode (complex) stress intensity factors for bimaterial interfacial cracks are numerically evaluated using the domain form of the interaction integral. Good agreement between the numerical results and the reference solutions for benchmark interfacial crack problems is realized. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Meshless analysis of potential problems in three dimensions with the hybrid boundary node method

Combining a modified functional with the moving least‐squares (MLS) approximation, the hybrid boundary node method (Hybrid BNM) is a truly meshless, boundary‐only method. The method may have advantages from the meshless local boundary integral equation (MLBIE) method and also the boundary node method (BNM). In fact, the Hybrid BNN requires only the discrete nodes located on the surface of the domain. The Hybrid BNM has been applied to solve 2D potential problems. In this paper, the Hybrid BNM is extended to solve potential problems in three dimensions. Formulations of the Hybrid BNM for 3D potential problems and the MLS approximation on a generic surface are developed. A general computer code of the Hybrid BNM is implemented in C++. The main drawback of the ‘boundary layer effect’ in the Hybrid BNM in the 2D case is circumvented by an adaptive face integration scheme. The parameters that influence the performance of this method are studied through three different geometries and known analytical fields. Numerical results for the solution of the 3D Laplace's equation show that high convergence rates with mesh refinement and high accuracy are achievable. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A fast integral approach for drag force calculation due to oscillatory slip stokes flows

In this paper, we describe an efficient numerical method for modelling oscillatory incompressible slip Stokes flows in three dimensions. The efficiency is achieved by employing an integral approach combined with an accelerated boundary‐element‐method (BEM) solver. First the integral representations for slip flows with two different slip models are formulated. The resulting integral equations are then solved using the BEM combined with the precorrected‐FFT accelerated technique. 3D numerical codes have been developed based on the method described above. These codes are then used to calculate the drag forces on oscillating objects immersed in an unbounded slip flow. Three objects are considered, namely a sphere, a pair of plates and a comb structure. The simulated drag forces on these objects obtained from the two slip models are compared. In the sphere case, the simulated results are also compared with the analytical solutions for both the steady‐state case and the no‐slip oscillatory case and are found to be in good agreement. In addition, qualitative comparison of the simulation results with the experimental results in the plate problem is also presented in this paper. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

p‐version of the generalized FEM using mesh‐based handbooks with applications to multiscale problems

In this paper, we analyse the p‐convergence of a new version of the generalized finite element method (generalized FEM or GFEM) which employs mesh‐based handbook functions which are solutions of boundary value problems in domains extracted from vertex patches of the employed mesh and are pasted into the global approximation by the partition of unity method (PUM). We show that the p‐version of our GFEM is capable of achieving very high accuracy for multiscale problems which may be impossible to solve using the standard FEM. We analyse the effect of the main factors affecting the accuracy of the method namely: (a) The data and the buffer included in the handbook domains, and (b) The accuracy of the numerical construction of the handbook functions. We illustrate the robustness of the method by employing as model problem the Laplacian in a domain with a large number of closely spaced voids. Similar robustness can be expected for problems of heat‐conduction and elasticity set in domains with a large number of closely spaced voids, cracks, inclusions, etc. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Three‐dimensional finite element computations for frictional contact problems with non‐associated sliding rule

This paper presents an algorithm for solving anisotropic frictional contact problems where the sliding rule is non‐associated.The algorithm is based on a variational formulation of the complex interface model that combine the classical unilateral contact law and an anisotropic friction model with a non‐associated slip rule. Both the friction condition and the sliding potential are elliptical and have the same principal axes but with different semi‐axes ratio. The frictional contact law and its inverse are derived from a single non‐differentiable scalar‐valued function, called a bi‐potential. The convexity properties of the bi‐potential permit to associate stationary principles with initial/boundary value problems. With the present formulation, the time‐integration of the frictional contact law takes the form of a projection onto a convex set and only one predictor–corrector step addresses all cases (sticking, sliding, no‐contact). A solution algorithm is presented and tested on a simple example that shows the strong influence of the slip rule on the frictional behaviour. Copyright 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A spectral‐element method for modelling cavitation in transient fluid–structure interaction

In an underwater‐shock environment, cavitation (boiling) occurs as a result of reflection of the shock wave from the free surface and/or wetted structure causing the pressure in the water to fall below its vapour pressure. If the explosion is sufficiently distant from the structure, the motion of the fluid surrounding the structure may be assumed small, which allows linearization of the governing fluid equations. In 1984, Felippa and DeRuntz developed the cavitating acoustic finite‐element (CAFE) method for modelling this phenomenon. While their approach is robust, it is too expensive for realistic 3D simulations. In the work reported here, the efficiency and flexibility of the CAFE approach has been substantially improved by: (i) separating the total field into equilibrium, incident, and scattered components, (ii) replacing the bilinear CAFE basis functions with high‐order Legendre‐polynomial basis functions, which produces a cavitating acoustic spectral element (CASE) formulation, (iii) employing a simple, non‐conformal coupling method for the structure and fluid finite‐element models, and (iv) introducing structure–fluid time‐step subcycling. Field separation provides flexibility, as it admits non‐acoustic incident fields that propagate without numerical dispersion. The use of CASE affords a significant reduction in the number of fluid degrees of freedom required to reach a given level of accuracy. The combined use of subcycling and non‐conformal coupling affords order‐of‐magnitude savings in computational effort. These benefits are illustrated with 1D and 3D canonical underwatershock problems. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.