Applications of the discrete element method in mechanical engineering

Compared to other fields of engineering, in mechanical engineering, the Discrete Element Method (DEM) is not yet a well known method. Nevertheless, there is a variety of simulation problems where the method has obvious advantages due to its meshless nature. For problems where several free bodies can collide and break after having been largely deformed, the DEM is the method of choice. Neighborhood search and collision detection between bodies as well as the separation of large solids into smaller particles are naturally incorporated in the method. The main DEM algorithm consists of a relatively simple loop that basically contains the three substeps contact detection, force computation and integration. However, there exists a large variety of different algorithms to choose the substeps to compose the optimal method for a given problem. In this contribution, we describe the dynamics of particle systems together with appropriate numerical integration schemes and give an overview over different types of particle interactions that can be composed to adapt the method to fit to a given simulation problem. Surface triangulations are used to model complicated, non-convex bodies in contact with particle systems. The capabilities of the method are finally demonstrated by means of application examples. Commemorative Contribution.     

中国民航信息系统现状及发展展望

介绍了中国民航信息系统的现状和与实际业务需求的差距,接着从系统设计理念、核心系统、新系统新功能和信息系统整合等多个方面详细阐述了民航信息系统的发展思路,最后强调了建立新一代民航信息系统的紧迫性,具备很强的指导意义。     

A BOUNDARY INTEGRAL EQUATION AND ITS NUMERICAL SOLUTION OF POTENTIAL FLOW AROUND SURFACE-IRREGULA-RITIES

In this paper,using complex functional theory,the authors turn the potentialflow around the surface irregularities in a pressure conduit and semi-infinite platforms intoDirichlet problem.Based on Schwarz formula and by the application of Plemelj's formula,theauthors change the problem into the integration of a Cauchy boundary integral equation in theflow plane through the substitution of variables.Using numerical integration,the authors obtainthe velocity distribution and pressure coefficient along surface irregularities and platforms.Thephysical concept of this method is clear,the convergent speed is rapid and the computative effi-ciency is high.The calculated values agree well with the measured results.It is an effective andsimple method in solving potential flow.     

A study on time schemes for DRBEM analysis of elastic impact wave

 The precise integration and differential quadrature methods are two new unconditionally stable numerical schemes to approximate time derivative with more than the second order accuracy. Recent studies showed that compared with the Houbolt and Newmark methods, they produced more accurate solutions with large time step for the problems where response is primarily dominated by low and intermediate frequency modes. This paper aims to investigate these time schemes in the context of the dual reciprocity BEM (DRBEM) formulation of various shock-excited scalar elastic wave problems, where high modes have important affect on traction response. The Houbolt method was widely recommended in many literatures for such DRBEM dynamic formulations. However, this study found that the damped Newmark algorithm was the most efficient and accurate for impact traction analysis in conjunction with the DRBEM. The precise integration and differential quadrature methods are shown inapplicable for such shock-excited problems due to the absence of numerical damping. On the other hand, we also found that to achieve the same order of accuracy, the differential quadrature method required much less computing effort than the precise integration method due to the use of the Bartels–Stewart algorithm solving the resulting Lyapunov matrix analogization equation. Received 6 November 2000     

Integration of solvent extraction and liquid membrane separation: An efficient tool for recovery of bio-active substances from botanicals

An integrated process based on simultaneous solid-liquid extraction and liquid membrane separation is proposed for recovery and isolation of valuable species from botanicals. This integration provides complete exhausting of the solid material even in the case of very low solubility of the specified solute in the extracting solvent. Selectivity of the liquid membrane ensures a preferential transport of the desired solute from the native extract into the strip solution, while the other co-extracted species remain predominantly in the native extract.     

Fast and accurate pricing of discretely monitored barrier options by numerical path integration

Barrier options are financial derivative contracts that are activated or deactivated according to the crossing of specified barriers by an underlying asset price. Exact models for pricing barrier options assume continuous monitoring of the underlying dynamics, usually a stock price. Barrier options in traded markets, however, nearly always assume less frequent observation, e.g. daily or weekly. These situations require approximate solutions to the pricing problem. We present a new approach to pricing such discretely monitored barrier options that may be applied in many realistic situations. In particular, we study daily monitored up-and-out call options of the European type with a single underlying stock. The approach is based on numerical approximation of the transition probability density associated with the stochastic differential equation describing the stock price dynamics, and provides accurate results in less than one second whenever a contract expires in a year or less. The flexibility of the method permits more complex underlying dynamics than the Black and Scholes paradigm, and its relative simplicity renders it quite easy to implement.     

Precise rendering method for exact anti-aliasing and highlighting

This paper introduces the Precise Rendering Method, which generates accurately anti-aliased and highlighted images from tessellated polygons. The Precise Rendering Method first solves the aliasing problems of hidden surface removal by using the Cross Scanline Algorithm. This algorithm can exactly calculate polygon areas projected onto each pixel by using horizontal and vertical scanlines. Aliasing artifacts in shading are then prevented by the Reflection Intergration Method, which analytically integrates the intensity of reflection in the solid angle defined by surface normals at vertices of the projected area. Several synthesized images are created to show the efficiency of the Precise Rendering Method.     

Computational Schemes for Flexible,Nonlinear Multi-Body Systems

This paper deals with the development of computational schemes for the dynamic analysis of flexible, nonlinear multi-body systems. The focus of the investigation is on the derivation of unconditionally stable time integration schemes for these types of problem. At first, schemes based on Galerkin and time discontinuous Galerkin approximations applied to the equations of motion written in the symmetric hyperbolic form are proposed. Though useful, these schemes require casting the equations of motion in the symmetric hyperbolic form, which is not always possible for multi-body applications. Next, unconditionally stable schemes are proposed that do not rely on the symmetric hyperbolic form. Both energy preserving and energy decaying schemes are derived that both provide unconditionally stable schemes for nonlinear multi-body systems. The formulation of beam and flexible joint elements, as well as of the kinematic constraints associated with universal and revolute joints. An automated time step selection procedure is also developed based on an energy related error measure that provides both local and global error levels. Several examples of simulation of realistic multi-body systems are presented which illustrate the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed schemes, and demonstrate the need for unconditional stability and high frequency numerical dissipation.     

A calibration method for the energy-integrating function in photovoltaic system monitoring

Solar radiation has an irregularly varying factor due to a basic day and night cycle and climatic conditions. For such conditions a data sampling interval is important to ensure the accuracy of energy monitoring in a photovoltaic system. While treating a system monitoring equipment as a black box. the author has developed the method of calibrating an energy-integrating function. At first for various input waveforms, the relationship between sampling intervals and quasi-integration outputs have been examined by trapezoidal rule. In the numerical simulation the phases of the sampling clock also are considered Then it is concluded that a sampling interval can be inspected through outside observation only by using a rectangular single pulse. By applying the pulse to the energy-integrating process, two kinds of integrated outputs can be obtained for different sampling phases. The calculated difference between both outputs can uniquely give the sampling interval being inspected. Conditions to ensure measuring accuracy are discussed and the validity of this method has been demonstrated experimentally. Practical calibrating procedures also are proposed for the integrating function of PV system monitoring.