Numerical convergence of finite element solutions of nonrational B-spline element and absolute nodal coordinate formulation

In this investigation, numerical convergence of finite element solutions obtained using the B-spline approach and the absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF) is discussed. Furthermore, equivalence of the two formulations with different orders of polynomials and degrees of continuity is demonstrated by several numerical examples. The degree of continuity can be easily controlled in B-spline elements by changing knot multiplicities, while continuity conditions associated with higher order derivatives need to be imposed to achieve C ² and higher continuities in ANCF elements. In order to compare element performances of the third and quartic B-spline and ANCF elements, the three-node quartic ANCF beam element is developed. It is demonstrated in several numerical examples that use of B-spline and ANCF elements with same orders and continuities leads to identical results. Furthermore, effects of polynomial orders and continuities on the accuracy and numerical convergence are demonstrated.     

Continuous finite element methods for Hamiltonian systems

By applying the continuous finite element methods of ordinary differential equations,the linear element methods are proved having second-order pseudo-symplectic scheme and the quadratic element methods are proved having third-order pseudo- symplectic scheme respectively for general Hamiltonian systems,and they both keep energy conservative.The finite element methods are proved to be symplectic as well as energy conservative for linear Hamiltonian systems.The numerical results are in agree- ment with theory.     

Two-dimensional discrete element simulations ofice–structure interaction

The paper presents the application of a discrete element technique for the study of the plane strain problem of the interaction between a moving ice sheet and a flexible stationary structure. The discrete element technique accounts for the generation of failure within an initially intact ice sheet. The failure of the ice corresponds to situations where the ice can exhibit combinations of brittle fragmentation and viscoplastic flow. The modelling also accounts for size dependency in the strength of the ice after fragmentation. The inter-fragment interactions are modelled by non-linear constraints which includes Coulomb frictional behaviour. The computational scheme is used to evaluate the time history of the average contact stresses and the distribution of local contact stresses at the ice–structure interface in the fragmentation zone.     

Boundary element analysis of cracked film–substrate media

This study evaluates the stress behavior of a cracked film–substrate medium by applying the multi-region boundary element method. Four problems addressed herein are the crack tip within a film, the crack tip terminating at the interface, interface debonding, and the crack penetrating into the substrate. The multi-region boundary element method is initially developed and, then, the stress intensity factors or the energy release rates are evaluated according to the different stress singularities of the four considered problems. These results indicate that the stress intensity factors or the energy release rates of the four problems rely not only on the different elastic mismatches and crack lengths, but also on the thickness ratio of the film and the substrate.     

Numerical simulation of oxide nanoparticle growth characteristics under the gas detonation chemical reaction by space-time conservation element–solution element method

Under harsh conditions (such as high temperature, high pressure, and millisecond lifetime chemical reaction), a long-standing challenge remains to accurately predict the growth characteristics of nanosize spherical particles and to determine the rapid chemical reaction flow field characteristics. The growth characteristics of similar spherical oxide nanoparticles are further studied by successfully introducing the space-time conservation element–solution element (CE/SE) algorithm with the monodisperse Kruis model. This approach overcomes the nanosize particle rapid growth limit set and successfully captures the characteristics of the rapid gaseous chemical reaction process. The results show that this approach quantitatively captures the characteristics of the rapid chemical reaction, nanosize particle growth and size distribution. To reveal the growth mechanism for numerous types of oxide nanoparticles, it is very important to choose a rational numerical method and particle physics model.     

Interval finite element method and its application on anti-slide stability analysis

The problem of interval correlation results in interval extension is discussed by the relationship of interval-valued functions and real-valued functions. The methods of reducing interval extension are given. Based on the ideas of the paper, the formulas of sub-interval perturbed finite element method based on the elements are given. The sub-interval amount is discussed and the approximate computation formula is given. At the same time, the computational precision is discussed and some measures of improving computational efficiency are given. Finally, based on sub-interval perturbed finite element method and anti-slide stability analysis method, the formula for computing the bounds of stability factor is given. It provides a basis for estimating and evaluating reasonably anti-slide stability of structures.     

Nonlinear finite element analysis for vibrations of double-walled carbon nanotubes

The large-amplitude free vibration analysis of double-walled carbon nanotubes embedded in an elastic medium is investigated by means of a finite element formulation. A double-beam model is utilized in which the governing equations of layers are coupled with each other via the van der Waals interlayer forces. Von-Karman type nonlinear strain-displacement relationships are employed where the ends of the nanotube are constrained to move axially. The amplitude-frequency response curves for large-amplitude free vibrations of single-walled and double-walled carbon nanotubes with arbitrary boundary conditions are graphically illustrated. The effects of material constant of the surrounding elastic medium and the geometric parameters on the vibration characteristics are investigated. For a double-walled carbon nanotube with different boundary conditions between inner and outer tubes, the nonlinear frequencies are obtained apparently for the first time. Comparison of the results with those from the open literature is made for the amplitude-frequency curves where possible. This comparison illustrates that the present scheme yields very accurate results in predicting the nonlinear frequencies.     

Finite volume element method for analysis of unsteady reaction–diffusion problems

A finite volume element method is developed for analyzing unsteady scalar reaction-diffusion problems in two dimensions. The method combines the concepts that are employed in the finite volume and the finite element method together. The finite volume method is used to discretize the unsteady reaction-diffusion equation, while the finite element method is applied to estimate the gradient quantities at cell faces. Robustness and efficiency of the combined method have been evaluated on uniform rectangular grids by using available numerical solutions of the two-dimensional reaction-diffusion problems. The numerical solutions demonstrate that the combined method is stable and can provide accurate solution without spurious oscillation along the high-gradient boundary layers.     

A postprocessing mixed finite element method for the Navier–Stokes equations

A fully discrete postprocessing mixed finite element scheme is considered for solving the time-dependent Navier–Stokes equations. In the PP method, we only consider a non-linear equation in the coarse-level subspace and a linear problem in the fine-level subspace. The analysis shows that the PP scheme can reach the same accuracy as the standard Galerkin method with a very fine mesh size h by an appropriate choice of H. Numerical examples are provided that confirm both the theoretical analysis and the corresponding improvement in computational efficiency.     

A stabilised characteristic finite element method for transient Navier–Stokes equations

In this work, we consider a stabilised characteristic finite element method for the time-dependent Navier–Stokes equations based on the lowest equal-order finite element pairs. The diffusion term in these equations is discretised by using finite element method, the temporal differentiation and advection terms are treated by characteristic schemes. Unconditionally stable results and error estimates of optimal order for the velocity and pressure are established. Finally, some numerical results are provided to verify the performance of this method.     

Differential quadrature element method for static analysis of Reissner–Mindlin polar plates

In this paper, a new numerical technique, the differential quadrature element method (DQEM) , has been developed for static analysis of the two-dimensional polar Reissner–Mindlin plate in the polar coordinate system by integrating the domain decomposition method (DDM) with the differential quadrature method (DQM) . The detailed formulations for the sectorial DQEM plate bending element and the compatibility conditions between each element are presented. The convergence properties and the accuracy of the DQEM for bending of thick polar plates are investigated through a number of numerical computations. Consequently, the DQEM has been successfully applied to analyze several annular sector plates with discontinuous loading and boundary conditions and cutouts to illustrate the simplicity and flexibility of this method for solving Reissner–Mindlin plates in polar coordinate system which are not solvable directly using the differential quadrature method. The numerical results are verified by the existing exact solutions or the FEM solutions obtained using the software package ANSYS (Version 5.3) .     

A symplectic finite element method based on Galerkin discretization for solving linear systems

We propose a novel symplectic finite element method to solve the structural dynamic responses of linear elastic systems. For the dynamic responses of continuous medium structures, the traditional numerical algorithm is the dissipative algorithm and cannot maintain long-term energy conservation. Thus, a symplectic finite element method with energy conservation is constructed in this paper. A linear elastic system can be discretized into multiple elements, and a Hamiltonian system of each element ...     

A Newton iterative mixed finite element method for stationary conduction–convection problems

In this article, a Newton iterative mixed finite element method is presented for solving the stationary conduction–convection problems in two dimensions. The stability and the errors generated by both partitioning the space and solving nonlinear equations are analysed, which show that our method is stable and has good precision. Finally, some numerical experiments are given to confirm its effect.     

A new absolute nodal coordinate formulation beam element with multilayer circular cross section

A systematic numerical integration method is applied to the absolute nodal coordinate formulation(ANCF)fully parameterized beam element with smooth varying and continuous cross section.Moreover,the formulation for the integration points and weight coefficients are given in the method which is used to model the multilayer beam with a circular cross section.To negate the effect of the bending stiffness for the element used to model the high-voltage electrical wire,the general continuum mechanical approach is adjusted.Additionally,the insulation cover for some particular types of the wire is described by the nearly incompressible Mooney-Rivlin material model.Finally,a static problem is presented to prove the accuracy and convergence properties of the element,and a dynamic problem of a flexible pendulum is simulated whereby the balance of the energy can be ensured.An experiment is carried out in which a wire is released as a pendulum and falls on a steel rod.The configurations of the wire are captured by a high-speed camera and compared with the simulation results.The feasibility of the wire model can therefore be demonstrated.     

A new nonlinear multibody/finite element formulation for knee joint ligaments

The focus of this investigation is to study the mechanics of the human knee using a new method that integrates multibody system and large deformation finite element algorithms. The major bones in the knee joint consisting of the femur, tibia, and fibula are modeled as rigid bodies. The ligaments structures are modeled using the large displacement finite element absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF) with an implementation of a Neo-Hookean constitutive model that allows for large change in the configuration as experienced in knee flexion, extension, and rotation. The Neo-Hookean strain energy function used in this study takes into consideration the near incompressibility of the ligaments. The ANCF is used in the formulation of the algebraic equations that define the ligament/bone rigid connection. A unique feature of the ANCF model developed in this investigation is that it captures the deformation of the ligament cross section using structural finite elements such as beams. At the ligament/bone insertion site, the ANCF is used to define a fully constrained joint. This model will reflect the fact that the geometry, placement and attachment of the two collateral ligaments (the LCL and MCL), are significantly different from what has been used in most knee models developed in previous investigations. The approach described in this paper will provide a more realistic model of the knee and thus more applicable to future research studies on ligaments, muscles and soft tissues (LMST). Current finite element models are limited due to simplified assumptions for the spatial and time dependent material properties inherent in the anisotropic and anatomic constraints associated with joint stability, and the static conditions inherent in the analysis. The ANCF analysis is not limited to static conditions and results in a fully dynamic model that accounts for the distributed inertia and elasticity of the ligaments. The results obtained in this investigation show that the ANCF finite elements can be an effective tool for modeling very flexible structures like ligaments subjected to large flexion and extension. In the future, the more realistic ANCF models could assist in examining the mechanics of the knee to study knee injuries and possible prevention means, as well as an improved understanding of the role of each individual ligament in the diagnosis and assessment of disease states, aging and potential therapies.     

Discrete formulation of mixed finite element methods for vapor deposition chemical reaction equations

The vapor deposition chemical reaction processes, which are of extremely extensive applications, can be classified as a mathematical model by the following governing nonlinear partial differential equations containing velocity vector, temperature field, pressure field, and gas mass field. The mixed finite element (MFE) method is employed to study the system of equations for the vapor deposition chemical reaction processes. The semidiscrete and fully discrete MFE formulations are derived. And the existence and convergence (error estimate) of the semidiscrete and fully discrete MFE solutions are demonstrated. By employing MFE method to treat the system of equations for the vapor deposition chemical reaction processes, the numerical solutions of the velocity vector, the temperature field, the pressure field, and the gas mass field can be found out simultaneously. Thus, these researches are not only of important theoretical means, but also of extremely extensive applied vistas.     

Dual finite element methods in homogenization for elastic–plastic fibrous composite material

The problem of homogenization for a periodic, elastic–perfectly plastic, fiber reinforced, composite material is considered. The overall mechanical behavior of the material is described using the anisotropic model of elastic–plastic body with kinematic hardening. The appropriate initial–boundary value problem, set for one repeatable cell of the composite, is solved in order to find the effective constitutive relations. The cell problem is solved using the finite element method formulated in two dual forms: in displacements and in stresses. Stress functions are used in the latter formulation.     

Computational fluid dynamic-discrete element method coupling analysis of particle transport in branched networks

An understanding of the particle transport characteristics in a branched network helps to predict the particle distribution and prevent undesired plugging in various engineering systems.Quantitative analysis of particle flow characteristics is challenging in that experiments are expensive and particle flow is difficult to detect without disturbing the flow.To overcome this difficulty,man-made fractal tree-like branched networks were built,and a coupled computational fluid dynamic and discrete element method model was applied.A series of numerical simulations was carried out to analyze the influence of fractal structure parameters of networks on the particle flow characteristics.The joint influence of inertial,shunt capacity and superposition from upstream branches on particle flow was investigated.The injection position at the inlet determined the particle velocity and its future flow path.The particle density ratio,particle size and bifurcation angle had a greater influence on the shunting of K2 branches than that in the K1 level and N_k22/N_k21 reached a maximum at 60°.Compared with a network with an even number of branches,there was a preferential branch when the branch number was odd.The preferential branch effect or asymmetry degree of the level(K2)branches had a more significant impact on particle shunting than that from the upstream branches(K1).     

The exact solution of Stokes＇ second problem including start-up process with fractional element

The start-up process of Stokes＇ second problem of a viscoelastic material with fractional element is studied. The fluid above an infinite flat plane is set in motion by a sudden acceleration of the plate to steady oscillation. Exact solutions are obtained by using Laplace transform and Fourier transform. It is found that the relationship between the first peak value and the one of equal-amplitude oscillations depends on the distance from the plate. The amplitude decreases for increasing frequency and increasing distance.