Integration of B-spline geometry and ANCF finite element analysis

The goal of this investigation is to introduce a new computer procedure for the integration of B-spline geometry and the absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF) finite element analysis. The procedure is based on developing a linear transformation that can be used to transform systematically the B-spline representation to an ANCF finite element mesh preserving the same geometry and the same degree of continuity. Such a linear transformation that relates the B-spline control points and the finite element position and gradient coordinates will facilitate the integration of computer aided design and analysis (ICADA). While ANCF finite elements automatically ensure the continuity of the position and gradient vectors at the nodal points, the B-spline representation allows for imposing a higher degree of continuity by decreasing the knot multiplicity. As shown in this investigation, a higher degree of continuity can be systematically achieved using ANCF finite elements by imposing linear algebraic constraint equations that can be used to eliminate nodal variables. The analysis presented in this study shows that continuity of the curvature vector and its derivative which corresponds in the cubic B-spline representation to zero knot multiplicity can be systematically achieved using ANCF finite elements. In this special case, as the knot multiplicity reduces to zero, the recurrence B-spline formula causes two segments to automatically blend together forming one cubic segment defined on a larger domain. Similarly in this special case, the algebraic constraint equations required for the C ³ continuity convert two ANCF cubic finite elements to one finite element, demonstrating the strong relationship between the B-spline representation and the ANCF finite element representation. For the same order of interpolation, higher degree of continuity at the finite element interface can lead to a coarser mesh and to a lower dimensional model. Using the B-spline/ANCF finite element transformation developed in this paper, the equations of motion of a finite element mesh that represents exactly the B-spline geometry can be developed. Because of the linearity of the transformation developed in this investigation, all the ANCF finite element desirable features are preserved; including the constant mass matrix that can be used to develop an optimum sparse matrix structure of the nonlinear multibody system dynamic equations.     

基于等几何分析的比例边界有限元方法

提出了一种具有比例边界有限元的半解析特性和等几何分析的几何特性的新方法。该新方法是在比例边界有限元框架中用NURBS曲线或曲面精确描述域边界几何形状,同时域边界位移场采用描述几何形状的NURBS形函数等参构造。这种新方法具有比例边界有限元固有的径向解析特性和NURBS的高阶连续性的优点。数值算例显示,与传统的比例边界有限元相比,基于等几何分析的比例边界有限元方法提高了域边界单元和域内应力场的连续性,减少了计算自由度。应用此方法可以用较少的计算自由度获得更高连续阶和更高精度的位移、应力和应变场。     

Modeling Method and Application of Rational Finite Element Based on Absolute Nodal Coordinate Formulation

In multibody system dynamics, the absolute nodal coordinate formulation(ANCF)uses power functions as interpolating polynomials to describe the displacement field. It can get accurate results for flexible bodies that undergo large deformation and large rotation. However, the power functions are irrational representation which cannot describe the complex shapes precisely, especially for circular and conic sections. Different from the ANCF representation,the rational absolute nodal coordinate formulation(RANCF) utilizes rational basis functions to describe geometric shapes, which allows the accurate representation of complicated displacement and deformation in dynamics modeling. In this paper, the relationships between the rational surface and volume and the RANCF finite element are provided, and the generalized transformation matrices are established correspondingly. Using these transformation matrices, a new four-node three-dimensional RANCF plate element and a new eight-node three-dimensional RANCF solid element are proposed based on the RANCF. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed elements. It is shown that the proposed elements can depict the geometric characteristics and structure configurations precisely, and lead to better convergence in comparison with the ANCF finite elements for the dynamic analysis of flexible bodies.     

结构动力分析自适应有限元方法综述

结构动力分析自适应有限元方法主要研究有限元动力分析的误差估计理论,建立适用于复杂结构动力分析的有限元网格自适应过程．介绍了结构动力问题自适应有限元方法的重要发展,包括固有振动和动响应分析的误差估计及相应的自适应策略;且简要介绍了几种现有的网格生成技术及其特点．最后指出这种方法存在的问题和今后的研究方向．     

Nonstructural geometric discontinuities in finite element/multibody system analysis

Existing multibody system (MBS) algorithms treat articulated system components that are not rigidly connected as separate bodies connected by joints that are governed by nonlinear algebraic equations. As a consequence, these MBS algorithms lead to a highly nonlinear system of coupled differential and algebraic equations. Existing finite element (FE) algorithms, on the other hand, do not lead to a constant mesh inertia matrix in the case of arbitrarily large relative rigid body rotations. In this paper, new FE/MBS meshes that employ linear connectivity conditions and allow for arbitrarily large rigid body displacements between the finite elements are introduced. The large displacement FE absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF) is used to obtain linear element connectivity conditions in the case of large relative rotations between the finite elements of a mesh. It is shown in this paper that a linear formulation of pin (revolute) joints that allow for finite relative rotations between two elements connected by the joint can be systematically obtained using ANCF finite elements. The algebraic joint constraint equations, which can be introduced at a preprocessing stage to efficiently eliminate redundant position coordinates, allow for deformation modes at the pin joint definition point, and therefore, this new joint formulation can be considered as a generalization of the pin joint formulation used in rigid MBS analysis. The new pin joint deformation modes that are the result of C ⁰ continuity conditions, allow for the calculations of the pin joint strains which can be discontinuous as the result of the finite relative rotation between the elements. This type of discontinuity is referred to in this paper as nonstructural discontinuity in order to distinguish it from the case of structural discontinuity in which the elements are rigidly connected. Because ANCF finite elements lead to a constant mass matrix, an identity generalized mass matrix can be obtained for the FE mesh despite the fact that the finite elements of the mesh are not rigidly connected. The relationship between the nonrational ANCF finite elements and the B-spline representation is used to shed light on the potential of using ANCF as the basis for the integration of computer aided design and analysis (I-CAD-A). When cubic interpolation is used in the FE/ANCF representation, C ⁰ continuity is equivalent to a knot multiplicity of three when computational geometry methods such as B-splines are used. C ² ANCF models which ensure the continuity of the curvature and correspond to B-spline knot multiplicity of one can also be obtained. Nonetheless, B-spline and NURBS representations cannot be used to effectively model T-junctions that can be systematically modeled using ANCF finite elements which employ gradient coordinates that can be conveniently used to define element orientations in the reference configuration. Numerical results are presented in order to demonstrate the use of the new formulation in developing new chain models.     

几何精确NURBS有限元中边界条件施加方式对精度影响的三维计算分析

非均匀有理B样条(NURBS)有限元法把计算机辅助几何设计(CAGD)中的NURBS几何构形方法与有限元方法有机结合起来,有效消除了有限元离散模型的几何误差,提高了计算精度。但是由于NURBS基函数不是插值函数,直接在控制节点上施加位移边界条件会引起较大误差。本文详细讨论了NURBS基函数的插值特性,在NURBS有限元分析中采用罚函数法施加位移边界条件,提高了收敛率和计算精度。结合典型三维弹性力学问题,对两种施加位移边界条件的方法进行了对比和分析。计算结果表明,直接施加位移边界条件会导致收敛率和精度的明显降低,而基于罚函数法的NURBS有限元分析则能达到最优收敛率,并具有更高的精度。     

On the usage of NURBS as interface representation in free‐surface flows

When simulating free‐surface flows using the finite element method, there are many cases where the governing equations require information which must be derived from the available discretized geometry. Examples are curvature or normal vectors. The accurate computation of this information directly from the finite element mesh often requires a high degree of refinement—which is not necessarily required to obtain an accurate flow solution. As a remedy and an option to be able to use coarser meshes, the representation of the free surface using non‐uniform rational B‐splines (NURBS) curves or surfaces is investigated in this work. The advantages of a NURBS parameterization in comparison with the standard approach are discussed. In addition, it is explored how the pressure jump resulting from surface tension effects can be handled using doubled interface nodes. Numerical examples include the computation of surface tension in a two‐phase flow as well as the computation of normal vectors as a basis for mesh deformation methods. For these examples, the improvement of the numerical solution compared with the standard approaches on identical meshes is shown. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

In-plane vibration analysis of plates in curvilinear domains by a differential quadrature hierarchical finite element method

Free in-plane vibration analysis of plates is carried out by a differential quadrature hierarchical finite element method (DQHFEM). The NURBS (Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines) patches of geometries were first transformed into differential quadrature hierarchical (DQH) patches, and then the elastic field was discretized by the same DQH basis. The DQHFEM solved the compatibility problem caused by different parametrization of neighbouring patches of isogeometric analysis using NURBS. And mesh refinement in DQHFEM does not propagate from patch to patch. The DQHFEM matrices also have the embedding property as the hierarchical finite element method (HFEM). In-plane vibration analyses of plates of several planforms showed that the DQHFEM is similar as the fixed interface mode synthesis method that can analyse a structure using a few nodes on the boundary of substructure elements and only several clamped modes inside each substructure element, but the DQHFEM does not need modal analysis and is of high accuracy. The accuracy and convergence of the DQHFEM were validated through comparison with exact and approximate results in literatures and computed by the authors.     

IMPOSING DISPLACEMENT BOUNDARY CONDITIONS WITH NITSCHE＇S METHOD IN ISOGEOMETRIC ANALYSIS

等几何分析使用 NURBS 基函数统一表示几何和分析模型, 消除了传统有限元的网格离散误差, 容易构造高阶连续的协调单元. 对于结构分析, 选择合适的几何参数可以得到光滑的应力解, 避免了后置处理的应力磨平. 但是由于 NURBS 基函数不具备插值性, 难以直接施加位移边界条件. 针对这一问题, 提出一种基于 Nitsche 变分原理的边界位移条件“弱”处理方法, 它具有一致稳定的弱形式, 不增加自由度, 方程组对称正定和不会产生病态矩阵等优点. 同时给出方法的稳定性条件, 并通过求解广义特征值问题计算稳定性系数. 最后, 数值算例表明 Nitsche 方法在h细化策略下能获得最优收敛率, 其结果要明显优于在控制顶点处直接施加位移约束.}     

等几何分析中采用Nitsche法施加位移边界条件

等几何分析使用NURBS基函数统一表示几何和分析模型,消除了传统有限元的网格离散误差,容易构造高阶连续的协调单元.对于结构分析,选择合适的几何参数可以得到光滑的应力解,避免了后置处理的应力磨平.但是由于NURBS基函数不具备插值性,难以直接施加位移边界条件.针对这一问题,提出一种基于Nitsche变分原理的边界位移条件"弱"处理方法,它具有一致稳定的弱形式,不增加自由度,方程组对称正定和不会产生病态矩阵等优点.同时给出方法的稳定性条件,并通过求解广义特征值问题计算稳定性系数.最后,数值算例表明Nitsche方法在h细化策略下能获得最优收敛率,其结果要明显优于在控制顶点处直接施加位移约束.     

一种O(n)算法复杂度的递推绝对节点坐标法研究

相比于传统的浮动坐标法,绝对节点坐标法(absolute nodal coordinate formulation,ANCF)在处理柔性体非线性大变形问题上具有显著优势,但是对于ANCF的求解目前主要依据拉格朗日方程等分析力学原理建立微分代数方程(differential algebraic equation,DAE)进行,其算法复杂度为O(n2)或O(n3)(n为系统自由度),且求解过程存在位置或速度的违约问题.据此,研究了一种O(n)算法复杂度的递推绝对节点坐标法(recursive absolute nodal coordinate formulation,RANCF).该方法采用ANCF描述大变形柔性体,借鉴铰接体递推算法(articulatedbody algorithm,ABA)思路建立多柔体系统逐单元的运动学和动力学递推关系,得到微分形式的系统动力学方程(ordinary differential equation,ODE).在ODE方程中,系统广义质量阵为三对角块矩阵,通过恰当的矩阵处理,可以得到逐单元求解该方程的递推算法.在此基础上,给出了RANCF算法的详细流程,并对流程中每个步骤进行了细致的算法效率分析,证明了RANCF是算法复杂度为O(n)的高效算法.RANCF方法保留了ANCF对大转动、大变形多柔体系统精确计算的优点,同时极大地提升了算法效率,特别在处理高自由度复杂多柔体系统中具有显著优势.并且该方法采用ODE求解,无DAE的违约问题,因此具有更高的算法精度.最后,在算例部分,通过MSC.ADAMS仿真软件、能量守恒测试、算法复杂度曲线对RANCF的正确性、计算精度和计算效率进行了验证.     

基于NURBS插值的三维渐进结构优化方法

提出一种基于等几何控制点密度变量的三维双向渐进结构拓扑优化方法。在当前列式下,高阶NURBS基函数被同时用于CAD模型中NURBS实体片的几何场、位移场和温度场以及密度场插值,实现了几何模型、分析模型和优化模型的有效统一,确保了位移场、温度场及密度场的高阶连续性;详细推导了基于等几何控制点密度变量的三维渐进结构法模型及其灵敏度分析列式;最后几个典型的数值算例,包括最小柔顺性、热传导优化问题及三维结构自由振动的基频最大化问题,验证了本文方法的有效性。     

Isogeometric Analysis of the Nonlinear Deformation of Planar Flexible Beams with Snap-back

Based on the continuity of the derivatives of the Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines(NURBS) curve and the Jaumann strain measure, the present paper adopted the position coordinates of the control points as the degrees of freedom and developed a planar rotation-free Euler-Bernoulli beam element for isogeometric analysis, where the derivatives of the field variables with respect to the arc-length were expressed as the sum of the weighted sum of the position coordinates of the control points, and the NURBS basis functions were used as the weight functions. Furthermore, the concept of bending strip was used to involve the rigid connection between multiple patches. Several typical examples with geometric nonlinearities were used to demonstrate the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. The presented formulation fully accounts for the geometric nonlinearities and can be used to study the snap-through and snap-back phenomena of flexible beams.     

基于Bézier提取的三维等几何分析

等几何分析(IGA)将非均匀有理B样条(NURBS)函数作为有限元形函数,具有几何精确、高阶连续和精度高等优点。与常规有限元法C0连续的形函数不同,高阶IGA基函数不是定义在一个单元上,而是跨越由几个单元组成的参数空间,因而编程复杂且无法嵌入现有的有限元法计算框架及相应算法。本文建立了基于Bézier提取的三维IGA,将NURBS函数分解成伯恩斯坦多项式的线性组合,从而实现把NURBS单元分解为C0连续Bézier单元,这些单元与Lagrange单元相似,使IGA的实现和常规有限元一样,以便将IGA分析嵌入现有的有限元软件中。两个三维算例结果表明,基于Bézier提取的IGA和传统IGA的收敛性和精度相同。     

波导本征问题的等几何分析方法

利用等几何分析思想通过加权余量法并结合亥姆霍兹方程推导出波导本征问题的等几何分析方程,提出了一种分析波导本征问题低自由度消耗、高精度的方法。该方法消除了传统数值方法中求解域的模型非一致性,从而实现了将问题的分析计算构架于精确的模型之上。以矩形和圆形波导的本征问题分析为例,通过与解析解和其他数值方法比较表明:在同等较细网格下,等几何分析模型仅花费1156个自由度,最大误差为0.003%,相比有限元的2245个自由度和0.03%的最大误差,此方法具有自由度少、精度高、收敛速度快等优点。     

Two‐dimensional,unstructured mesh generation for tidal models

The successful implementation of a finite element model for computing shallow‐water flow requires the identification and spatial discretization of a surface water region. Since no robust criterion or node spacing routine exists, which incorporates physical characteristics and subsequent responses into the mesh generation process, modelers are left to rely on crude gridding criteria as well as their knowledge of particular domains and their intuition. Two separate methods to generate a finite element mesh are compared for the Gulf of Mexico. A wavelength‐based criterion and an alternative approach, which employs a localized truncation error analysis (LTEA), are presented. Both meshes have roughly the same number of nodes, although the distribution of these nodes is very different. Two‐dimensional depth‐averaged simulations of flow using a linearized form of the generalized wave continuity equation and momentum equations are performed with the LTEA‐based mesh and the wavelength‐to‐gridsize ratio mesh. All simulations are forced with a single tidal constituent, M₂. Use of the LTEA‐based procedure is shown to produce a superior (i.e., less error) two‐dimensional grid because the physics of shallow‐water flow, as represented by discrete equations, are incorporated into the mesh generation process. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

US-FE-LSPIM四边形单元及其在几何非线性问题中的应用

为了提高在网格畸变时的数值计算精度,基于非对称有限单元的概念,提出US-FE-LSPIM四边形单元。该单元是利用传统的四节点等参元形函数集和FE—LSPIM四边形单元形函数集分别作为检验函数和试函数而构成。前者用于满足单元间和单元内的位移连续性要求,后者用于满足位移完备性要求。该单元结合了有限单元法和无网格法的优点,能...     

Adaptive shape functions and internal mesh adaptation for modeling progressive failure in adhesively bonded joints

Macroscopic finite elements are elements with an embedded analytical solution that can capture detailed local fields, enabling more efficient, mesh independent finite element analysis. The shape functions are determined based on the analytical model rather than prescribed. This method was applied to adhesively bonded joints to model joint behavior with one element through the thickness. This study demonstrates two methods of maintaining the fidelity of such elements during adhesive non-linearity and cracking without increasing the mesh needed for an accurate solution. The first method uses adaptive shape functions, where the shape functions are recalculated at each load step based on the softening of the adhesive. The second method is internal mesh adaption, where cracking of the adhesive within an element is captured by further discretizing the element internally to represent the partially cracked geometry. By keeping mesh adaptations within an element, a finer mesh can be used during the analysis without affecting the global finite element model mesh. Examples are shown which highlight when each method is most effective in reducing the number of elements needed to capture adhesive nonlinearity and cracking. These methods are validated against analogous finite element models utilizing cohesive zone elements.