Sensitivity analysis of weakened beams on elastic foundation with Green's functions

The approach of Sensitivity Analysis with Green's Functions (SAGF) [1,2] was developed to predict changes in deformations, stresses or eigenfrequencies of structures resulting from stiffness modifications or cracking by considering only the weakened or damaged parts of the structures. This approach results in a local analysis instead of a global analysis by recalculating the whole structure. Consequently, it is computationally less time-consuming than the conventional methods based on a global analysis. The key idea of the SAGF approach is based on the comparison between the elastic strain energies of the original and the weakened structures and the substitution of the virtual displacements by the corresponding Green's functions [1, 2]. Furthermore, an approximate approach for the sensitivity analysis was suggested which is described in [1, 3] in details. This approach enables us to predict the changes in the structural responses due to the stiffness weakening in the beam or in the elastic Winkler foundation by considering only the internal forces or the deflections of the original unweakened system. In addition, an iterative method was developed to enhance the accuracy of the SAGF approach. In this paper, the local SAGF method for sensitivity analysis of elastic beams on Winker foundation with stiffness weakening is presented. The accuracy and the efficiency of the proposed method are verified by using a numerical example. (© 2012 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Analysis of the coupling effects of the longitudinal and transverse displacements on the deformation and internal forces of functionally graded beams

Functionally graded beams (FGBs) with an arbitrary gradation of the material properties along the thickness of the beams are analyzed. Such FGBs are of special interest in civil and mechanical engineering to improve both the thermal and the mechanical behaviour of the beams. In [1] and [3] free vibrations of functionally graded Timoshenko and Euler-Bernoulli beams have been considered. The obtained analytical solutions are based on the work of Li [2], where closed-form solutions of stress distributions, eigenfrequencies and eigenfunctions have been derived by means of a single differential equation of motion for the deflection. However, these previous works did not take into account the coupling between the longitudinal and the transverse displacements and its effects on the deformation and internal forces of the FGBs. This approach is appropriate only for a symmetrical material gradation but it may not be valid for general cases with an arbitrary material gradation. In this paper, the coupling effects of the longitudinal and transverse displacements on the deformation and internal forces of FGBs are investigated for different beam support conditions. Analytical solutions of the corresponding boundary value problem are derived. A comparison is also made with the numerical results obtained by the finite element method (FEM). (© 2012 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Asymmetric Green's functions for a functionally graded transversely isotropic tri-material

This paper considers the elastic analysis of a functionally graded transversely isotropic tri-material solid under the arbitrary distribution of applied static loads. Using two displacement potential functions, for three-dimensional point-load and patch-load configurations, Green's functions for displacement and stress components are generated in the form of infinite line-integrals. These solutions are shown to be analytically reducible to the special cases of exponentially graded bi-material, exponentially graded half-space and homogeneous tri-material Green's functions. It also encompasses a functionally graded finite layer on a rigid base with surface loading with two cases of interfacial conditions, rigid-bonded and rigid-frictionless. Finally, for the special case of a functionally graded layer sandwiched between two homogeneous layers, using several numerical displays, the effect of material inhomogeneity on the responses is studied and the accuracy of numerical scheme is verified.     

Green's functions for forced vibration analysis of bending-torsion coupled Timoshenko beam

A method based on Green's functions is proposed for the analysis of the steady-state dynamic response of bending-torsion coupled Timoshenko beam subjected to distributed and/or concentrated loadings. Damping effects on the bending and torsional directions are taken into account in the vibration equations. The elastic boundary conditions with bending-torsion coupling and damping effects are derived and the classical boundary conditions can be obtained by setting the values of specific stiffness parameters of the artificial springs. The Laplace transform technology is employed to work out the Green's functions for the beam with arbitrary boundary conditions. The Green's functions are obtained for the beam subject to external lateral force and external torque, respectively. Coupling effects between bending and torsional vibrations of the beam can be studied conveniently through these analytical Green's functions. The direct expressions of the steady-state responses with various loadings are obtained by using the superposition principle. The present Green's functions for the Timoshenko beam can be reduced to those for Euler–Bernoulli beam by setting the values of shear rigidity and rotational inertia. In order to demonstrate the validity of the Green's functions proposed, results obtained for special cases are given for a comparison with those given in the literature and they agree with each other exactly. The influences of external loading frequency and eccentricity on Green's functions of bending-torsion coupled Timoshenko beam are investigated in terms of the numerical results for both simply supported and cantilever beams. Moreover, the symmetric property of the Green's functions and the damping effects on the amplitude of Green's functions of the beam are discussed particularly.     

Dynamic modeling for rotating composite Timoshenko beam and analysis on its bending-torsion coupled vibration

A formulation is presented for steady-state dynamic responses of rotating bending-torsion coupled composite Timoshenko beams (CTBs) subjected to distributed and/or concentrated harmonic loadings. The separation of cross section's mass center from its shear center and the introduced coupled rigidity of composite material lead to the bending-torsion coupled vibration of the beams. Considering those two coupling factors and based on Hamilton's principle, three partial differential non-homogeneous governing equations of vibration with arbitrary boundary conditions are formulated in terms of the flexural translation, torsional rotation and angle rotation of cross section of the beams. The parameters for the damping, axial load, shear deformation, rotation speed, hub radius and so forth are incorporated into those equations of motion. Subsequently, the Green's function element method (GFEM) is developed to solve these equations in matrix form, and the analytical Green's functions of the beams are given in terms of piecewise functions. Using the superposition principle, the explicit expressions of dynamic responses of the beams under various harmonic loadings are obtained. The present solving procedure for Timoshenko beams can be degenerated to deal with for Rayleigh and Euler beams by specifying the values of shear rigidity and rotational inertia. Cantilevers with bending-torsion coupled vibration are given as examples to verify the present theory and to illustrate the use of the present formulation. The influences of rotation speed, bending-torsion couplings and damping on the natural frequencies and/or shape functions of the beams are performed. The steady-state responses of the beam subjected to external harmonic excitation are given through numerical simulations. Remarkably, the symmetric property of the Green's functions is maintained for rotating bending-torsion coupled CTBs, but there will be a slight deviation in the numerical calculations.     

Static and dynamic analysis of cracked or weakened structures

Stiffness modifications in engineering structures, for example due to damage and cracking, will inevitably also lead to changes in deformations, internal forces, natural frequencies and mode shapes of the structures. In this paper, an efficient and simple method for sensitivity analysis of cracked or weakened structures under time-harmonic loading is presented. The method is based on a comparison between the strain energy and the kinetic energy of an uncracked structure and that of a cracked structure in conjunction with the application of exact or approximate Green's functions as described in [3] for the static case. The present analysis enables the prediction of any changes in the displacements and stresses and has a lower computational effort as compared to available classical methods, because only the damaged region has to be re-considered in the method. Green's functions are taken as a basis of the approach, which have the ability to weight the influence of the stiffness modifications in a region of a structure and show how sensitive other regions respond to the stiffness modifications. Based on linear elastic fracture mechanics, cracked or damaged regions are approximated by spring models in the analytical solution of some simple beam problems, while cracked finite elements are used for complicated cases where analytical solutions cannot be obtained. Sensitivity analysis with Green's functions (SAGF) approach is applied to static and dynamic analysis of cracked and weakened structures, which consist of homogeneous materials or fiber reinforced composites like reinforced concretes. (© 2010 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Free vibration analysis of discrete-continuous functionally graded circular plate via the Neumann series method

The Neumann series method has been used for the first time to solve the boundary value problem of free axisymmetric and nonaxisymmetric vibrations of continuous and discrete-continuous functionally graded circular plate on the basis of the classical plate theory. The equation of motion and the general solution for a functionally graded circular plate with a very complex system of a discrete elements attached, such as concentric ring masses, elastic supports, rotational springs, and damping elements are presented for the first time. The particular continuous solutions to the defined differential equations are obtained as the Neumann power series rapidly, absolutely, and uniformly convergent to the exact eigenfrequencies for any physically justified values of the plate's parameters on the basis of the properties of the obtained closed-form kernels of the Volterra integral equations. The multiparametric nonlinear characteristic equations for plate with classical and nonclassical boundary conditions are defined and numerically solved to obtain the full spectrum of eigenfrequencies in a simple way. The effects of the position and stiffness of ring supports and of singularities as the radii of supports shrink to the center of the plate on the dimensionless eigenfrequencies of homogeneous and functionally graded circular plate with sliding support and elastic constraints are comprehensively studied and presented for the first time. The accuracy of the proposed low-computational-cost method is demonstrated by comparison of the numerical results with those available in the literature.     

Development of size-dependent consistent couple stress theory of Timoshenko beams

In this paper, a linear size-dependent Timoshenko beam model based on the consistent couple stress theory is developed to capture the size effects. The extended Hamilton's principle is utilized to obtain the governing differential equations and boundary conditions. The general form of boundary conditions and the concentrated loading are employed to determine the exact static/dynamic solution of the beam. Utilizing this solution for the beam's deformation and rotation, the exact shape functions of the consistent couple stress theory (C-CST) is extracted, which leads to the stiffness and mass matrices of a two-node C-CST finite element beam. Due to the complexity and high computational cost of using the exact solution's shape functions, in addition to the Ritz approximate solution, a two primary variable finite element model of C-CST is proposed, and the corresponding general deformation and rotation fields, shape functions, mass and stiffness matrices are calculated. The C-CST is validated by comparing the prediction of different beam models for a benchmark problem. For the fully and partially clamped cantilever, and free-free beams, the size dependency of the formulations is investigated. The static solutions of the classical and consistent couple stress Timoshenko beam models are compared, and a criterion for selecting the proper model is proposed. For a wide range of material properties, the relation between the beam length and length scale parameter is derived. It is shown that the validity domain of the consistent couple stress Timoshenko model barely depends on the beam's constituent material.     

Large-amplitude free vibrations of functionally graded beams by means of a finite element formulation

The large-amplitude free vibration analysis of functionally graded beams is investigated by means of a finite element formulation. The Von-Karman type nonlinear strain–displacement relationships are employed where the ends of the beam are constrained to move axially. The effects of the transverse shear deformation and rotary inertia are included based upon the Timoshenko beam theory. The material properties are assumed to be graded in the thickness direction according to the power-law distribution. A statically exact beam element which devoid the shear locking effect with displacement fields based on the first order shear deformation theory is used to study the geometric nonlinear effects on the vibrational characteristics of functionally graded beams. The finite element method is employed to discretize the nonlinear governing equations, which are then solved by the direct numerical integration technique in order to obtain the nonlinear vibration frequencies of functionally graded beams with different boundary conditions. The influences of power-law exponent, vibration amplitude, beam geometrical parameters and end supports on the free vibration frequencies are studied. The present numerical results compare very well with the results available from the literature where possible. Some new results for the nonlinear natural frequencies are presented in both tabular and graphical forms which can be used for future references.     

功能梯度材料Timoshenko梁的热过屈曲分析

研究了功能梯度材料Timoshenko梁在横向非均匀升温下的热过屈曲．在精确考虑轴线伸长和一阶横向剪切变形的基础上,建立了功能梯度Timoshenko梁在热-机械载荷作用下的几何非线性控制方程,将问题归结为含有7个基本未知函数的非线性常微分方程边值问题A·D2其中,假设功能梯度梁的材料性质为沿厚度方向按照幂函数连续变化的形式．然后采用打靶法数值求解所得强非线性边值问题,获得了横向非均匀升温场内两端固定Timoshenko梁的静态非线性热屈曲和热过屈曲数值解．绘出了梁的变形随温度载荷及材料梯度参数变化的特性曲线,分析和讨论了温度载荷及材料的梯度性质参数对梁变形的影响．结果表明,由于材料在横向的非均匀性,均匀升温时的梁中存在拉-弯耦合变形．     

Study of non-linear dynamic behavior of open cracked functionally graded Timoshenko beam under forced excitation using harmonic balance method in conjunction with an iterative technique

The nonlinear modeling and subsequent dynamic analysis of cracked Timoshenko beams with functionally graded material (FGM) properties is investigated for the first time using harmonic balance method followed by an iterative technique. Crack is assumed to be open throughout. During modeling, nonlinear strain–displacement relation is considered. Rotational spring model is adopted in order to model the open cracks. Energy formulations are established using Timoshenko beam theory. Nonlinear governing differential equations of motion are derived using Lagrange's equation. In order to incorporate the influence of higher order harmonics, harmonic balance method is employed. This reduces the governing differential equations into nonlinear set of algebraic equations. These equations are solved using two different iterative techniques. Methodology is computationally easier and efficient as well. This is observed that although assumption of simple harmonic motion (SHM) simplifies the problem, it yields to erroneous results at higher amplitude of motion. However, accuracy of the solution is improved considerably when the contribution of higher order harmonic terms are considered in the analysis. Results are compared with the available results, which confirm the validity of the methodology. Subsequent to that a parametric study on influence of forcing term, material indices and crack parameters on large amplitude vibration of Timoshenko beams is performed for two different boundary conditions.     

Forced vibration of curved beams on two-parameter elastic foundation

Forced vibration analysis of curved beams on two-parameter elastic foundation subjected to impulsive loads are investigated. The Timoshenko beam theory is adopted in the derivation of the governing equation. Ordinary differential equations in scalar form obtained in the Laplace domain are solved numerically using the complementary functions method. The solutions obtained are transformed to the real space using the Durbin’s numerical inverse Laplace transform method. The static and forced vibration analysis of circular beams on elastic foundation are analyzed through various examples.     

Mathematical solution for bending of short hybrid composite beams with variable fibers spacing

In this study, the static response is presented for a simply supported functionally graded hybrid beam subjected to a transverse uniform load. Material properties of the beam are assumed to be graded in the thickness direction according to a simple power-law distribution in terms of the volume fractions of the constituents. By varying the fiber volume fraction within a symmetric laminated beam and combining two fiber types to create a hybrid functionally graded material (FGM) can offer desirable increases in axial and bending stiffness. The equations governing the hybrid FGM beams are determined using the principle of virtual work (PVW) arising from the higher order shear deformation theories. Numerical results on the transverse deflection, axial and shear stresses in a moderately thick hybrid FGM beam under uniform distributed load are discussed in depth. The effect of power-law exponent on the deflection and stresses are also commented.     

Irregular multipoint eigenvalue problems

We prove asymptotic estimates for the Green's function of irregular multipoint eigenvalue problems, these estimates are fundamental for the expansion of functions into a series of eigenfunctions of irregular eigenvalue problems.     

Das asymptotische verhalten der greenschen funktion N-irregulaärer eigenwertprobleme mit zerfallenden randbedingungen

We prove asymptotic estimates for the Green's function of N-irregular eigenvalue problems My = λNγ with splitting boundary conditions. In contrast to the N-regular case the Green's function G(x,ζ,λ) grows exponentially for |λ| → ∞ if x > ζ. These estimates are fundamental for the expansion of functions into a series of eigenfunctions of N-irregular eigenvalue problems. In a subsequent paper it will be shown that this irregular behavior of G(x,ζ,λ) implies that only a very small class of functions can be expanded into a series of eigenfunctions of such problems.     

Bending solutions of FGM Timoshenko beams from those of the homogenous Euler–Bernoulli beams

By using mathematical similarity and load equivalence between the governing equations, bending solutions of FGM Timoshenko beams are derived analytically in terms of the homogenous Euler–Bernoulli beams. The deflection, rotational angle, bending moment and shear force of FGM Timoshenko beams are expressed in terms of the deflection of the corresponding homogenous Euler–Bernoulli beams with the same geometry, the same loadings and end constraints. Consequently, solutions of bending of the FGM Timoshenko beams are simplified as the calculation of the transition coefficients which can be easily determined by the variation law of the gradient of the material properties and the geometry of the beams if the solutions of corresponding Euler–Bernoulli beam are known. As examples, solutions are given for the FGM Timoshenko beams under S–S, C–C, C–F and C–S end constraints and arbitrary transverse loadings to illustrate the use of this approach. These analytical solutions can be as benchmarks in the further investigations of behaviors of FGM beams.     

Dynamic behaviors of single- and multi-span functionally graded porous beams with flexible boundary constraints

This paper investigates the dynamic behaviors of single- and multi-span functionally graded porous (FGP) beams with flexible boundary constraints modelled by a combination of two-dimensional translational springs and a rotational spring. It is assumed that the pores are distributed either non-uniformly or uniformly according to four porosity distributions and that the material properties vary smoothly along the thickness direction of the beam. The dynamic governing equations are derived from Hamilton's principle within the framework of Timoshenko beam theory and solved by using discrete singular convolution element method (DSCEM) in conjunction with Taylor series expansion (TSE) method. To validate the accuracy of the proposed method, the present results are compared with those in open literature and obtained by finite element method (FEM). A comprehensive parametric study is conducted to investigate the effects of spring constants, boundary condition, porosity distribution, porosity coefficient and beam span ratio on the dynamic behaviors.     

Green's functions for elliptic and parabolic systems with Robin-type boundary conditions

The aim of this paper is to investigate Green's function for parabolic and elliptic systems satisfying a possibly nonlocal Robin-type boundary condition. We construct Green's function for parabolic systems with time-dependent coefficients satisfying a possibly nonlocal Robin-type boundary condition assuming that weak solutions of the system are locally Hölder continuous in the interior of the domain, and as a corollary we construct Green's function for elliptic system with a Robin-type condition. Also, we obtain Gaussian bound for Robin Green's function under an additional assumption that weak solutions of Robin problem are locally bounded up to the boundary. We provide some examples satisfying such a local boundedness property, and thus have Gaussian bounds for their Green's functions.     

Some problems of heat conduction in transversally graded composites

The object of considerations is a two-component layer made of conductors non-periodically distributed in the form of laminas along the layer thickness. It is assumed that the distribution of the macroscopic properties of this laminate is approximated by continuous slowly-varying functions across laminas. Media of this kind can be treated as made of a functionally graded material. The aim of the paper is to apply the tolerance model, [8], to analyse one-directional, non-stationary heat conduction along the axis perpendicular to laminas. Moreover, received results are compared to the solutions obtained in the framework of the higher-order theory, [1]. (© 2009 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

3‐D Contact problems for elastic wedges with Coulomb friction

3‐D quasi‐static contact problems for elastic wedges with Coulomb friction are reduced to integral equations and integral inequalities with unknown contact normal pressures. To obtain these equations and inequalities, Green's functions for the wedges, where one face of the wedges is either stress‐free or fixed, are needed. Using Fourier and Kontorovich–Lebedev integral transformations, all the stresses and displacements in the wedges can be constructed in terms of solutions of Fredholm integral equations of the second kind on the semiaxis. The Green's functions can be calculated as uniformly convergent power series in (1‐2ν), where νis Poisson's ratio. An exponential decay of the kernels and right‐hand sides of the Fredholm integral equations provides the applicability of the collocation method for simple and fast calculation of the Green's functions. For a half‐space, which is a special case of an elastic wedge, the kernels degenerate and the functions reduce to the well‐known Boussinesq and Cerruti solutions. Analysing the contact problems reveals that the Green's functions govern the kernels of the above mentioned integral equations and inequalities. Under the assumption that the punch has a smooth shape, the contact pressure is zero on the boundary of the unknown contact zone. Solving the contact problems with the help of the Galanov–Newton method, the normal contact pressure, the contact zone and the normal displacement around the contact zone can be determined simultaneously. In view of the numerical results, the influence of the friction forces on the punch force and the punch settlement is discussed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.