A review of error estimation and adaptivity in the boundary element method

When using the boundary element method, the accuracy of the numerical solution depends critically on the discretization of the boundary into elements (panels). The distribution of the panels is one of the most important decisions taken when analyzing a problem, but still the vast majority of users employ empirical guidelines to distribute the panels. This paper reviews the various adaptive schemes that have been proposed for boundary elements. Numerical results are obtained for infinite fluid flow problems and free surface problems and are used to assess the reliability and effectiveness of each method.     

Finite element micromechanical modelling of unidirectional fibre-reinforced metal-matrix composites

Typical finite element formulations and models for unidirectional composite materials are reviewed. The application of micromechanical finite element analysis to the modelling of unidirectional fibre-reinforced metal-matrix composites is demonstrated by presenting some studies from recent publications. It is shown that while analytical models offer a simple tool for obtaining the overall response of composites, finite element analysis provides more accurate and detailed characterisation of composite properties for complicated geometries and constituent property variations. Various effects that influence the stress/strain response and fibre/matrix deformation of composites are studied through modelling. These effects include the fibre coating and reaction layer, fibre shape and distribution, metallurgical and environmental factors, stress distributions and damage. It is demonstrated that the properties and constituent phase interaction of metal-matrix composites are best modelled by finite element analysis. It is emphasized that in order to obtain good predictions, the models must be coupled with first-hand characterisations of the constituent phases and their interactions, including the thermal history of the specimens.     

Numerical simulation model of vibration responses of rectangular plates embedded with piezoelectric actuators

A numerical simulation model for random large amplitude vibration control of composite plate using piezoelectric material is presented. The H_∞ control design is employed to suppress the large amplitude vibrations of composites plates under random loading. The numerical simulation model is developed and based on the finite element method. The finite element governing equation includes fully coupled structural and electrical nodal degrees of freedom, and consider the von Karman large amplitude vibration. The modal reduction method using the structural modes is adopted to reduce the finite element equations into a set of modal equations with fewer degrees of freedom. The modal equations are then employed for controller design and time domain simulation. In the simulations without control, the value of the linear mode to the nonlinear deflection is quantified; and the minimum number of linear modes needed for accurate model is obtained. In the simulations with control, it is shown that the truncated modes, which are neglected in the control design, deteriorate the controller performance. Generally, the vibration reduction level is not monotonically increasing with the size of the piezoelectric actuator. The optimal piezoelectric actuator size depends on the excitation level. For higher excitation level, optimal actuator size is larger. The H_∞ controller based on the linear finite element formulation gives better vibration reduction for small amplitude vibration, but it still gives reasonable performance for large amplitude vibration provided that the piezoelectric actuator is big and powerful enough.     

FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF THE FLOW INDUCED BY ROTATING BLADES IN AN INCOMPRESSIBLE VISCOUS FLUID

Aerodynamic loads on a multi-bladed helicopter rotor in hovering flight were calculated by solving the three-dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. The rotor wake effects were accounted by the correction of local geometric angle of attack according to a free-wake modeling in addition to an empirical modification for the tip flow effect. The validity and efficiency of the present method were verified by the comparisons between numerical results and experimental data.     

Mesh‐independent p‐orthotropic enrichment using the generalized finite element method

This paper is aimed at presenting a simple yet effective procedure to implement a mesh‐independent p‐orthotropic enrichment in the generalized finite element method. The procedure is based on the observation that shape functions used in the GFEM can be constructed from polynomials defined in any co‐ordinate system regardless of the underlying mesh or type of element used. Numerical examples where the solution possesses boundary or internal layers are solved on coarse tetrahedral meshes with isotropic and the proposed p‐orthotropic enrichment. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

BIMORPH PIEZOELECTRIC ACTUATOR FOR SMALL PIPE ROBOT

An experimental bimorph piezoelectric element (PZT) actuator for small pipe robot is developed. The robot can move in φ20 mm pipe, and can carry a CCD camera for detecting cracks or fine holes on inner surface of pipe. The velocity of the robot can reach 17～22 mm/s for vertical pipe up/down, respectively. Moving principle and its performance characteristics are presented.     

补偿元件对载体催化元件输出特性的影响

阐述了矿井瓦斯传感器－载体催化元件在应用中，补偿元件发挥的作用和工作原理，着重分析了补偿元件对载体催化元件输出特性的影响，探讨了提高线性补偿效果的方法。     

超声变幅杆解析法设计的可靠性研究

本文提出了用有限元法验证变幅杆解析法设计的可靠性，对三种类型的变幅杆先作解析法设计；然后利用有限元分析软件ANSYS进行模态分析，确定了变幅杆的固有频率，计算了固有频率与工作频率之间的相对误差，以此来评价解析法设计的可靠性；并分析了影响解析法设计可靠性的两个基本因素。     

循环荷载作用下饱和黏性土的弹塑性双面模型

基于作者新近提出的一种混合塑性硬化准则和临界状态土力学理论建立了一个三维形式表述的适于饱和黏性土的弹塑性双面模型,此硬化准则是著名的M asing方法在三维应力空间中的推广。该模型的二维形式已采用饱和黏性土样室内动态三轴不排水剪切试验的结果进行了验证并已在另文发表。本文所建的三维弹塑性动本构模型与一个半经验的孔隙水压力增长模式相结合,通过有限元程序ABAQUS*对一个循环荷载作用下的条形基础下部地基土层内的位移、应力分布和超孔隙水压力随时间的变化进行了分析,计算结果表明模型预测的地基土的力学响应是符合实际的。     

New accurate two-noded shear-flexible curved beam elements

 There are two purposes of this work. One is to present two accurate two-noded finite elements which are derived from the potential energy principle and the Hellinger–Reissner functional principle respectively. The second is to show the successful application of the internal displacement parameters in developing a high-order related displacement-rotation interpolation field. Because the derived interpolation field is capable of accurately modeling deformation modes in extreme thin curved beams and nearly straight beams, both shear locking and membrane shocking are avoided. Several standard numerical tests display superior behaviors of the present elements. Received: 5 February 2002 / Accepted: 16 September 2002