Asymptotic Behavior and Orbital Stability of Galactic Dynamics in Relativistic Scalar Gravity

The Nordström–Vlasov system is a relativistic Lorentz invariant generalization of the Vlasov–Poisson system in the gravitational case. The asymptotic behavior of solutions and the non-linear stability of steady states are investigated. It is shown that solutions of the Nordström–Vlasov system with energy greater or equal to the mass satisfy a dispersion estimate in terms of the conformal energy. When the energy is smaller than the mass, we prove the existence and non-linear (orbital) stability of a class of static solutions (isotropic polytropes) against general perturbations. The proof of orbital stability is based on a variational problem associated to the minimization of the energy functional under suitable constraints.     

Non-linear stochastic response of a shallow cable

The paper considers the stochastic response of geometrical non-linear shallow cables. Large rain-wind induced cable oscillations with non-linear interactions have been observed in many large cable stayed bridges during the last decades. The response of the cable is investigated for a reduced two-degrees-of-freedom system with one modal coordinate for the in-plane displacement and one for the out-of-plane displacement. At first harmonic varying chord elongation at excitation frequencies close to the corresponding eigenfrequencies of the cable is considered in order to identify stable modes of vibration. Depending on the initial conditions the system may enter one of two states of vibration in the static equilibrium plane with the out-of-plane displacement equal to zero, or a whirling state with the out-of-plane displacement different from zero. Possible solutions are found both analytically and numerically. Next, the chord elongation is modelled as a narrow-banded Gaussian stochastic process, and it is shown that all the indicated harmonic solutions now become instable with probability one. Instead, the cable jumps randomly back and forth between the two in-plane and the whirling mode of vibration. A theory for determining the probability of occupying either of these modes at a certain time is derived based on a homogeneous, continuous time three states Markov chain model. It is shown that the transitional probability rates can be determined by first-passage crossing rates of the envelope process of the chord wise component of the support point motion relative to a safe domain determined from the harmonic analysis of the problem.     

A non-linear eigenvalue problem: The shape at equilibrium of a confined plasma

A free boundary value problem arising in plasma physics is reduced to a non-linear eigenvalue problem of a non-classical type. We establish the existence of solutions of the non-linear eigenvalue problem; these solutions are critical points of appropriate functionals.     

Traction problem in electro-elasticity and bifurcation theory

This paper is the first of a series of two. It will deal with the problem of static traction problem with minor deformations for a material which is governed by the electrostriction phenomenon. Two approaches to this problem will be described. We can consider either the equilibrium equations which are naturally non-linear, or the equations after linearization. The linearization of equations must be done near a natural state. Locally, under some conditions, we can establish the existence and the uniqueness of the solutions. We use the local theorem of implicit functions. The problem can be approached more globally. If we consider the non-linear equations, we can use a natural principle of these equations: the independence of the choice of the observer, also known as objectivity property. This property makes it possible for us to take into account an action of the rotations group of the Euclidean space, and consequently to take into account all the trivial solutions. It is then possible to prove within the space of all configurations the existence of the non-linear equations solutions and to find their number.This work presents a thorough and detailed approach to a non-linear theory, the geometric arguments of which make it possible for us to prove the existence of all the solutions and to study their stability in the aggregate; this last aspect will be developed in the second paper. Not only can this theory anticipate the eventual existence of a stable solution, it can also anticipate that an unstable solution in terms of the elasticity can, thanks to the effect of an electric field, become stable in terms of the electro-elasticity.     

The follower load problem and bifurcation to periodic motions

The problem of a follower load applied to a thin cantilevered elastic rod is presented. The stability of the straight static solution is considered, and a post-critical analysis is performed to describe non-trivial periodic motions. As the magnitude of the follower load is increased past a critical value, the real valued frequencies of the linearized system coalesce and then split apart with complex-conjugate values, rendering the straight state unstable. A Liapunov-Schmidt reduction is used to analyze the non-linear governing equations and to investigate the possibility of non-trivial periodic solutions. The rod is assumed to be incompressible and unshearable while only general requirements are made on the constitutive rule for bending. It is found that in the post-critical regime the higher order terms in the constitutive rule play an important role in determining whether non-trivial periodic solutions are possible.     

Analysis of thermally induced multistable composites

This paper models the non-linear flexural response of laminates that have piecewise variation of lay-up in the planform, using finite element analysis. Attention is focused on the effects that thermal stresses have on the potential multiple shapes of a composite structure. Unsymmetric laminates may possess more than a single equilibrium configuration, and during the cool-down the solution thus bifurcates at a critical temperature. In static analyses, numerical solutions are often coaxed to converge into one or the other branch of the solution. A methodology to overcome this problem is presented. Such modelling is necessary to allow application of multistable composite within morphing aircraft structures as multistable composites could provide a viable solution for the realisation of shape-adaptable structures.     

THRUST-AMPLITUDE CONTINUATION DESIGN APPROACH FOR SOLVING SPACECRAFT OPTIMAL CONTROLLED FLY-AROUND TRAJECTORY

针对航天器燃料最优可变周期绕飞轨迹的求解问题, 提出了一种以推力幅值为延拓参数的延拓方法. 问题求解从最为简单的双脉冲绕飞轨迹出发, 首先利用有限推力替代脉冲推力, 设定推力序列为“开— 关— 开”,然后逐步减小推力幅值, 最终得到最小推力绕飞轨迹; 此后, 再逐步增加推力幅值, 结合主矢量曲线判断最优推力开关序列, 将最小推力解延拓至有限推力以及脉冲推力燃料最优解. 该方法通过对推力幅值的延拓, 实现了有限推力bang-bang 控制与脉冲推力燃料最优绕飞轨迹优化问题的一并求解, 同时避免了最优控制问题中协态变量的随机猜测. 慢速与快速绕飞算例的优化结果验证了所提出方法的有效性.     

航天器最优受控绕飞轨迹推力幅值延拓设计方法

针对航天器燃料最优可变周期绕飞轨迹的求解问题, 提出了一种以推力幅值为延拓参数的延拓方法. 问题求解从最为简单的双脉冲绕飞轨迹出发, 首先利用有限推力替代脉冲推力, 设定推力序列为“开— 关— 开”,然后逐步减小推力幅值, 最终得到最小推力绕飞轨迹; 此后, 再逐步增加推力幅值, 结合主矢量曲线判断最优推力开关序列, 将最小推力解延拓至有限推力以及脉冲推力燃料最优解. 该方法通过对推力幅值的延拓, 实现了有限推力bang-bang 控制与脉冲推力燃料最优绕飞轨迹优化问题的一并求解, 同时避免了最优控制问题中协态变量的随机猜测. 慢速与快速绕飞算例的优化结果验证了所提出方法的有效性.      

Static thrust recovery of PAR craft on solid surfaces

Power-Augmented-Ram Vehicles belong to a new class of ground-effect machines with hybrid support. Recovered static thrust and static lift on solid surfaces are important amphibious characteristics of this craft. Experimental data for the static thrust recovery and the transition to a hovering mode are obtained in the tests with a vehicle model on two types of ground surface and with variable engine thrust and flap trailing-edge gap. The uphill surface and increased mass of the model demonstrate reductions in thrust recovery. A comparison with a two-dimensional potential-flow theory is presented. The static thrust accumulation, identified in the pre-hovering regime of a model on solid surface, does not significantly benefit the low-speed forward motion.     

Transient vibrations of a tau inclined cable with a riding accelerating mass

The objective of this paper is a theoretical and numerical study of the dynamics of a taut inclined cable with a riding accolerating mass, which is suspended from two points of different elevation. The moving mass is a trolley that is accelerated by a solid fuel rocket down the inclined cable and is aerodynamically brought to a halt. The thrust of the rocket is tangential to the deformed configuration of the cable.Methods of analysis consist of the dynamics of small deformations superimposed on the static catenary state. The problem is nonlinear due to presence of friction and the convective acceleration interaction of the moving mass and the cable. Galerkin's procedure for removal of spatial dependence and numerical integration are used to obtain convergent solutions.Deceased     

The approximate solutions to the non-linear heat conduction problems in a semi-infinite medium

The approximate solutions to the non-linear heat conduction problems in a semi-infinite medium are investigated. The entire temperature range is divided into a number of small sub-regions where the thermal properties can be approximated to be constant. The resulting problems can be considered as the Stefan’s problem of a multi-phase with no latent heat and the exact solutions called Neumann’s solution are available. In order to obtain the solutions, however, a set of highly non-linear equations in determining the phase boundaries should be solved simultaneously. This work presents a semi-analytic algorithm to determine the phase boundaries without solving the highly non-linear equations. Results show that the solutions for a set of highly non-linear equations depend strongly on the initial guess, bad initial guess leads to the wrong solutions. However, the present algorithm does not require the initial guess and always converges to the correct solutions.     

Analytical approximation to large-amplitude oscillation of a non-linear conservative system

This paper deals with non-linear oscillation of a conservative system having inertia and static non-linearities. By combining the linearization of the governing equation with the method of harmonic balance, we establish analytical approximate solutions for the non-linear oscillations of the system. Unlike the classical harmonic balance method, linearization is performed prior to proceeding with harmonic balancing, thus resulting in a set of linear algebraic equations instead of one of non-linear algebraic equations. Hence, we are able to establish analytical approximate formulas for the exact frequency and periodic solution. These analytical approximate formulas show excellent agreement with the exact solutions, and are valid for small as well as large amplitudes of oscillation.     

Dynamics of cable truss via polynomial shape functions

A model for the in-plane dynamic behaviour of a biconcave cable structure, subject to large static deformations and potentially slack harnesses is proposed, based on polynomial shape functions, in line with the classical Ritz method. The model provides a semi-analytical approach to the calculation of natural frequencies and modal shapes of the structure. The proposed formulation leads to an eigenvalue problem, based on a reduced number of degrees of freedom compared with equivalent FEM solutions, providing the basis for fast and accurate sensitivity analysis. The behaviour of the deformed structure is analysed in detail to understand the non-linear effects of non-symmetric mass and load distribution and slack harnesses on natural frequencies and corresponding modal shapes. Results confirm the relevance of the non-linear effects, due to the statically loaded configuration, on the linear vibrations of the structure, in particular evidencing the influence of the slackening of harnesses on modal shapes. Results are compared to analytical models, where available (single sagged cable), and to FEM solutions (for cable trusses with non-uniform mass and load distribution and potentially slack harnesses), providing good agreement.

     

Nonlinear buckled states of rectangular plates

A constructive method is developed to establish the existence of buckled states of a thin, flat elastic plate that is rectangular in shape, simply supported along its edges, and subjected to a constant compressive thrust applied normal to its two short edges. Under the assumption that the stress function and the deformation of the plate are described by the nonlinear von Kármán equations, the approach used yields information regarding not only the number of buckled states near an eigenvalue of the linearized problem, but also the continuous dependence of such states on the load parameter and the possible selection of that buckled state “preferred” by the plate. In particular, the methods used provide a rigorous approach to studying the existence of buckled states near the first eigenvalue of the linearized problem (that is, near the “buckling load”) even when the first eigenvalue is not simple.     

Non-linear temporal stability analysis of viscoelastic plane channel flows using a fully-spectral method

A non-linear analysis of the temporal evolution of finite, two-dimensional disturbances is conducted for plane Poiseuille and Couette flows of viscoelastic fluids. A fully-spectral method of solution is used with a stream-function formulation of the problem. The upper-convected Maxwell (UCM), Oldroyd-B and Giesekus models are considered. The bifurcation of solutions for increasing elasticity is investigated both in the high and low Reynolds number regimes. The transition mechanism is discussed in terms of both the transient linear growth of misfit disturbances due to non-normality, and their possible saturation into finite-amplitude periodic solutions due to non-linear effects.     

Formal solution of quasi-static problems

When the quasi-static problem is defined by a set of differential equations complemented by initial and boundary conditions, the resulting quasi-static solutions may exhibit a limited reach over the time domain. On the other hand, the infinity of equilibrium paths that can be obtained in a general non-linear problem also indicates that a proper definition of the quasi-static solution must be provided. In inelasticity problems, this infinite number of equilibrium paths occur even when no dissipative bifurcations are present. In the present paper, a general solution for quasi-static problems in Solid Mechanics is defined and explored. Special attention is addressed to material non-linearities though geometric non-linearities are also covered by the definition. Earlier concepts of path and state stability are recovered in order to reduce the number of solutions to those that are physically acceptable. The important link with the original dynamic problem is accounted for by enforcing a preferential load direction. The resulting definition relies on a time-objective criterion with straightforward applicability to the most common numerical models. In the final part of the paper, simple 1D problems are used to illustrate some of the concepts introduced in the present developments.     

Nonuniqueness of equilibrium states for axisymmetric elastic shells in tension

The problem of nonuniqueness of static axisymmetric solutions for a non-linearly elastic cylindrical shell in which the ends are pulled apart with a constant traction while retaining the radii of its ends fixed is studied. In the elastic case, we prove the existence of buckled states and the possibility of necking. In the hyperelastic case a global existence and nonuniqueness theorem is proved, via the energy criterion.     

The non-linear,dynamic response of an impulsively loaded circular plate with a central hole

A numerical method, called Direct Analysis, is described and applied to solve the problem of a plate undergoing a large impulsive load. For generality, an expanded, non-linear form of the equations of motion is used and shear correction and rotatory inertia are considered. The wave speeds are calculated from the non-linear equations and appropriate boundary conditions are applied so that reflected waves are included. The results for two types of step loading pulses are presented and compared with previously presented solutions. The response of the plate is discussed and conclusions as to the effects of the non-linearities are given.     

Traveling waves in one-dimensional non-linear models of strain-limiting viscoelasticity

In this paper we investigate traveling wave solutions of a non-linear differential equation describing the behaviour of one-dimensional viscoelastic medium with implicit constitutive relations. We focus on a subclass of such models known as the strain-limiting models introduced by Rajagopal. To describe the response of viscoelastic solids we assume a non-linear relationship among the linearized strain, the strain rate and the Cauchy stress. We then concentrate on traveling wave solutions that correspond to the heteroclinic connections between the two constant states. We establish conditions for the existence of such solutions, and find those solutions, explicitly, implicitly or numerically, for various forms of the non-linear constitutive relation.     

On materially and geometrically non-linear analysis of reinforced concrete planar frames

A family of new beam finite elements for geometrically and materially non-linear static analysis of reinforced concrete planar frames is derived, in which strain measures are the only interpolated unknowns, and where the constitutive and equilibrium internal forces are equal at integration points. The strain-localization caused by the strain-softening at cross-sections is resolved by the introduction of a `short constant-strain element'. Comparisons between numerical and experimental results on planar frames in pre- and post-critical states show both good accuracy and computational efficiency of the present formulation.