Non-local elastic effects in electroactive polymers

In this work we study the onset of inhomogeneous deformations in thin electroactive polymers (EAPs) under voltage control. In order to account for the regularizing effects due to both the constitutive nature of the film and to its mechanical interaction with the compliant electrodes, we introduce a non-local energy term depending on the second gradient of deformation. We prove that very small non-local effects are sufficient to find realistic inhomogeneous deformations at the onset of the bifurcation, which are characterized by periodic thickness undulations with finite wavelength. Finally we prove that strong regularizing effects can suppress the onset of inhomogeneous deformations.     

Tangential interaction of elastic spherical particles in contact

The elastic interaction of spherical particles is studied. The distribution of the stress, normal to the contact plane, is determined by the rod model suggested recently, which is applicable in the more wide range of deformations as compared with the classical Hertz law. In the rod model context an inner part of compressed particles is regarded as an elastic cylindrical rod, which radius is equal to the contact radius. The rod reaction is added to the normal particle interaction corresponding with the Hertz solution. The resulting normal force passes into the Hertz solution for infinitesimal deformations and gives stronger particle repulsion for finite deformations. Here we solve the Mindlin problem for the rod model, i.e., derive the tangential interaction of initially compressed particles when a relative displacement takes place. The analytical expressions, which determine the total displacement of the sphere’s centers and the corresponding tangential force, are derived. So, the generalization of the classical Mindlin law is obtained for the rod model.     

Numerical modeling of coupled seabed scour and pipe interaction

Scouring of the seabed by ice masses poses great threat to structural integrity and safety of buried structures such as oil and gas pipes. Large ridge motions and large seabed deformations complicate study of the seabed scouring and pipe interaction using classical Lagrangian methods. We present a new numerical approach for modeling the coupled seabed scour problem and its interaction with embedded marine pipes. In our work, we overcome the common issues associated with finite deformation inherently present within the seabed scour problem using a rheological approach for soil flow. The seabed is modeled as a viscous non-Newtonian fluid, and its interface described implicitly through a level-set function. The history-independent model allows for large displacements and deformations of the ridge and seabed, respectively. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the capabilities of the method with regard to seabed scouring and the ensuing large soil deformation.     

New strategy of solid/fluid coupling during numerical simulation of thermo-mechanical processes

In this study, numerical methods are developed to simulate thermomechanical processes, taking into account both the fluid flows in the molten pool and the deformations of the solid parts. The methods are based on a new strategy of solid/fluid coupling. They allow to simulate the formation of the molten pool by taking into account the fluid flows through both effects of the surface tension (“curvature effect” and “Marangoni effect”) and the buoyancy. An ALE approach is used to follow the evolution of the free surface. The effects of the deformations in the base metal on the fluid flows in the molten pool (solid/fluid interaction) is ensured by imposing the velocities of the solid nodes during the thermo-fluid simulation. As an application, a thermo-fluid-mechanical simulation of laser welding is carried out. It is found that the solid/fluid interaction has a minor effect on simulation results.     

Local slamming impact of sandwich composite hulls

We develop a hydroelastic model based on a {3, 2}-order sandwich composite panel theory and Wagner’s water impact theory for investigating the fluid–structure interaction during the slamming process. The sandwich panel theory incorporates the transverse shear and the transverse normal deformations of the core, while the face sheets are modeled with the Kirchhoff plate theory. The structural model has been validated with the general purpose finite element code ABAQUS^®. The hydrodynamic model, based on Wagner’s theory, considers hull’s elastic deformations. A numerical procedure to solve the nonlinear system of governing equations, from which both the fluid’s and the structure’s deformations can be simultaneously computed, has been developed and verified. The hydroelastic effect on hull’s deformations and the unsteady slamming load have been delineated. This work advances the state of the art of analyzing hydroelastic deformations of composite hulls subjected to slamming impact.     

Microstructural effects on shear instability and shear band spacing

A constitutive relation that accounts for the thermally activated dislocation motion and microstructure interaction is used to study the stability of a homogeneous solution of equations governing the simple shearing deformations of a thermoviscoplastic body. An instability criterion and an upper bound for the growth rate of the infinitesimal deformations superimposed on the homogeneous solution are derived. By adopting Wright and Ockendon's postulate, i.e., the wavelength of the dominant instability mode with the maximum growth rate determines the minimum spacing between shear bands, the shear band spacing is computed. The effect of the initial dislocation density, the nominal strain-rate, and parameters describing the initial thermal activation and the initial microstructure interaction on the shear band spacing are delineated.     

Damage in edge cracking of rolled metal slabs

Materials get damaged under shear deformations. Edge cracking is one of the most serious damage to the metal rolling industry, which is caused by the shear damage process and the evolution of anisotropy. To investigate the physics of the edge cracking process, simulations of a shear deformation for an orthotropic plastic material are performed. To perform the simulation, this paper proposes an elasto-aniso-plastic constitutive model that takes into account the evolution of the orthotropic axes by using a bases rotation formula, which is based upon the slip process in the plastic deformation. It is found through the shear simulation that the void can grow in shear deformations due to the evolution of anisotropy and that stress triaxiality in shear deformations of (induced) anisotropic metals can develop as high as in the uniaxial tension deformation of isotropic materials, which increases void volume. This echoes the same physics found through a crystal plasticity based damage model that porosity evolves due to the grain-to-grain interaction. The evolution of stress components, stress triaxiality and the direction of the orthotropic axes in shear deformations are discussed.     

原子力显微镜形貌测量偏差的机理分析及修正方法

采用原子力显微镜测量样品表面形貌时, 针尖与样品间的相互作用力会使样品表面不同力学性质的区域变形量不同, 从而使得形貌测量结果产生偏差. 首先研究了引起形貌测量偏差的机理, 进一步通过数值计算发现通过引入高频信号与低频信号叠加作为新的形貌测量信号可以近似避免这一类形貌测量偏差. 但是对于普通的矩形截面悬臂梁提取高阶信号是比较困难的, 通过外加弹簧的结构设计来调节悬臂梁各阶本征频率相对值, 使得在实验测量过程中可以较方便地提取悬臂梁振动的高频信号.      

Numerical analysis of the stress concentration near holes originating in previously loaded viscoelastic bodies at finite strains

The state of stress and strain of previously loaded viscoelastic bodies with holes originating in them, successively or simultaneously, is analyzed under finite plane deformations. The problem statement and solution are based on the theory of repeatedly superimposed large deformations. The material mechanical properties are described using integral relations of the convolution type over time with a weakly singular kernel. The problem solving is based on the finite-element method. To calculate the integral of the convolution type, a recurrence formula is used that can be obtained by approximating the initial kernel with a linear combination of exponential functions (the truncated Prony’s series). The nonlinear effects and the effect of the interaction between holes on the stress concentration are analyzed. For the dynamic problems, the results for incompressible and weakly compressible materials are compared.     

Nonlinear theory of crystalline solids. Origination of nano- and microstructures and their stability

We develop a theory of large deformations of a crystal lattice as a generalization of linear equations of acoustic and optical modes of a complex lattice composed of two interpenetrating sublattices. We suggest a principle of internal translational symmetry with respect to mutual displacements of sublattices by an integer number of periods. Based on this principle, we assume that the force of interaction of the sublattices is a nonlinear periodic function.     

A parametric investigation of the propulsion of 2D chordwise-flexible flapping wings at low Reynolds number using numerical simulations

This paper presents a numerical investigation of the effects of chordwise flexibility on flapping wings at low Reynolds number. The numerical simulations are performed with a partitioned fluid–structure interaction algorithm using artificial compressibility stabilization. The choice of the structural dimensionless parameters is based on scaling arguments and is compared against parameters used by other authors. The different regimes, namely inertia-driven and pressure-driven wing deformations, are presented along with their effects on the topology of the flow and on the performance of a heaving and pitching flapping wing in propulsion regime. It is found that pressure-driven deformations can significantly increase the thrust efficiency if a suitable amount of flexibility is used. Significant thrust increases are also observed in zero pitching amplitude cases. The effects of the second and third deformation modes on the performances of pressure-driven deformation cases are discussed. On the other hand, inertia-driven deformations generally deteriorate aerodynamic performances of flapping wings unless the behavior of the wing deformation is modified by the presence of sustainable superharmonics in a way that produces slight improvements. It is also shown that wing flexibility can act as an efficient passive pitching mechanism that allows fair thrust and better efficiency to be achieved when compared to a rigid pitching–heaving wing.     

Nonlinear Coupled Mathematical Model for Solid Deformation and Gas Seepage in Fractured Media

Based on detailed investigation into the interactional physical mechanism of solid deformations and gas seepage in rock matrix and fracture, a nonlinear coupled mathematical model of solid deformation and gas seepage is put forward and the FEM model is built up to carry out numerical analysis. The coupled interaction laws between solid deformations and gas seepage in rock matrix and fractures has been emphasized in the model, which is a vital progress for coupled mathematical model of solid deformation and gas seepage of rock mass media. As an example, the methane extraction in fractured coal seam has been numerically simulated. By analyzing the simulation results, the law of methane migration and exchange in rock matrix and fractures is interpreted.     

Contact problems for a finitely deformed incompressible elastic halfspace

This paper examines the class of problems related to the interaction between a finitely deformed incompressible elastic halfspace and contacting elements that include smooth, flat rigid indenters with elliptical and circular shapes and a thick plate of infinite extent. The contact between the finitely deformed elastic halfspace and the contacting elements is assumed to be bilateral. The interaction between both the rigid circular indenter and the finitely deformed halfspace is induced by a Mindlin force that acts at the interior of the halfspace regions and by exterior loads. Similar considerations apply for the contact between the flexible plate of infinite extent and the finitely deformed elastic halfspace. The theory of small deformations superposed on large deformations proposed by Green et al. (Proc R Soc Ser A 211:128–155, 1952) is used as the basis for the formulation of the problem, and results of potential theory and integral transform techniques are used to develop the analytical results. In particular, explicit results are presented for the displacement of the rigid elliptical indenter and the maximum deflection of the flexible plate induced by the Mindlin forces, when the finitely deformed halfspace region has a strain energy function of the Mooney–Rivlin form.     

Axisymmetric contact problem for an elastic half-space and a circular cover plate

The contact interaction problem for a thin circular rigid cover plate and an elastic half-space loaded at infinity by a tensile force directed in parallel to the boundary of the half-space is considered. It is assumed that the cover plate is not resistant to bending deformations. The problem can be reduced to an integral equation of the first kind whose kernel has a logarithmic singularity. The equation is solved approximately by the Multhopp-Kalandia method. The resulting approximate solution is compared with the previously obtained asymptotic solution.     

钢筋混凝土桥墩弯剪数值分析模型

基于修正的压力场理论MCFT(The Modified Compression Field Theory)和纤维单元模型建立了钢筋混凝土桥墩的弯剪数值分析模型,以MCFT理论确定桥墩的剪切力-剪切位移关系,并与考虑桥墩弯曲变形的纤维单元模型组合,共同考虑桥墩的弯-剪-轴力耦合作用.通过与六个弯剪破坏控制的圆形截面钢筋混凝土桥墩拟静力试验结果的对比,对分析模型进行了验证.主要认识结论为基于MCFT理论可准确地计算弯剪破坏桥墩的屈服荷载、极限荷载和弹性阶段剪切刚度,剪切开裂是引起钢筋混凝土构件剪切力-剪切位移关系刚度突变的主要因素,而弯曲开裂与纵筋屈服对刚度的影响较小;分析模型对弯剪破坏桥墩的滞回曲线、弯曲与剪切变形成分均进行了较为准确的模拟分析.     

Investigation of shear damage considering the evolution of anisotropy

The damage that occurs in shear deformations in view of anisotropy evolution is investigated. It is widely believed in the mechanics research community that damage (or porosity) does not evolve (increase) in shear deformations since the hydrostatic stress in shear is zero. This paper proves that the above statement can be false in large deformations of simple shear. The simulation using the proposed anisotropic ductile fracture model (macro-scale) in this study indicates that hydrostatic stress becomes nonzero and (thus) porosity evolves (increases or decreases) in the simple shear deformation of anisotropic (orthotropic) materials. The simple shear simulation using a crystal plasticity based damage model (meso-scale) shows the same physics as manifested in the above macro-scale model that porosity evolves due to the grain-to-grain interaction, i.e., due to the evolution of anisotropy. Through a series of simple shear simulations, this study investigates the effect of the evolution of anisotropy, i.e., the rotation of the orthotropic axes onto the damage (porosity) evolution. The effect of the evolutions of void orientation and void shape onto the damage (porosity) evolution is investigated as well. It is found out that the interaction among porosity, the matrix anisotropy and void orientation/shape plays a crucial role in the ductile damage of porous materials.     

Axisymmetric flexure of an infinite plate resting on a finitely deformed incompressible elastic halfspace

This paper investigates the axisymmetric flexural behaviour of an infinite elastic plate resting on an isotropic incompressible elastic halfspace which is initially deformed by a state of finite radial extension or compression. The small axisymmetric flexural deformations of the infinite plate are due to forces which act normal to the plane of radial deformation. The basic problem is of interest in connection with geomechanics problems which deal with interaction analysis of the earth's crustal plate and the underlying mantle.     

Structural response of high solidity net cage models in uniform flow

Hydrodynamic loads acting on a fish farm may be affected by the growth of different biofouling organisms, mainly due to increased solidity of the nets. In this paper, the hydrodynamic loads acting on high solidity net cage models subjected to high uniform flow velocities and the corresponding deformation of the net cages are studied. Model tests of net cylinders with various solidities were performed in a flume tank with a simulated current. Standard Morison-type numerical analyses were performed based on the model tests, and their capability of simulating the occurring loads and the observed net cage deformations for different flow velocities was evaluated.Large deformations of the net cage models were observed, and at high velocities the deformations were close to what is physically possible. Net cage deformation appeared to be less dependent on solidity than on flow velocity and weights. Drag forces increased with increasing flow velocity and were dependent on both bottom weights and netting solidity. For the lowest solidity net, drag forces were close to proportional to flow velocity. For the three high solidity nets, the measured drag forces were of similar magnitude, and drag increased less with increasing flow velocity above approximately 0.5 m/s than at lower velocities.This study shows that a basic reduced velocity model is not sufficient to model the interaction between the fluid flow and net (hydroelasticity) for high solidity net cages subjected to high flow velocities.The standard numerical analysis was in general able to make good predictions of the net shape, and was capable of making an acceptable estimate of hydrodynamic loads acting on the lowest solidity net model (Sn=0.19). For high solidities and large deformations, numerical tools should account for changes in water flow and the global drag coefficient of the net.