Linear and geometrically nonlinear analysis of non-uniform shallow arches under a central concentrated force

In this paper an integral equation solution to the linear and geometrically nonlinear problem of non-uniform in-plane shallow arches under a central concentrated force is presented. Arches exhibit advantageous behavior over straight beams due to their curvature which increases the overall stiffness of the structure. They can span large areas by resolving forces into mainly compressive stresses and, in turn confining tensile stresses to acceptable limits. Most arches are designed to operate linearly under service loads. However, their slenderness nature makes them susceptible to large deformations especially when the external loads increase beyond the service point. Loss of stability may occur, known also as snap-through buckling, with catastrophic consequences for the structure. Linear analysis cannot predict this type of instability and a geometrically nonlinear analysis is needed to describe efficiently the response of the arch. The aim of this work is to cope with the linear and geometrically nonlinear problem of non-uniform shallow arches under a central concentrated force. The governing equations of the problem are comprised of two nonlinear coupled partial differential equations in terms of the axial (tangential) and transverse (normal) displacements. Moreover, as the cross-sectional properties of the arch vary along its axis, the resulting coupled differential equations have variable coefficients and are solved using a robust integral equation numerical method in conjunction with the arc-length method. The latter method allows following the nonlinear equilibrium path and overcoming bifurcation and limit (turning) points, which usually appear in the nonlinear response of curved structures like shallow arches and shells. Several arches are analyzed not only to validate our proposed model, but also to investigate the nonlinear response of in-plane thin shallow arches.     

钢管混凝土圆弧桁架拱平面内徐变稳定分析

核心混凝土的徐变会增加钢管混凝土拱肋的屈曲前变形,降低结构的稳定承载力,因此只有计入屈曲前变形的影响,才能准确得到钢管混凝土拱的徐变稳定承载力。基于圆弧形浅拱的非线性屈曲理论,采用虚功原理,建立了考虑徐变和剪切变形双重效应的管混凝土圆弧桁架拱的平面内非线性平衡方程,求得两铰和无铰桁架拱发生反对称分岔屈曲和对称跳跃屈曲的徐变稳定临界荷载。探讨了钢管混凝土桁架拱核心混凝土徐变随修正长细比、圆心角和加载龄期对该类结构弹性稳定承载力的影响,为钢管混凝土桁架拱长期设计提供理论依据。     

Fast approximations of dynamic stability boundaries of slender curved structures

Curved beams and panels can often be found as structural components in aerospace, mechanical and civil engineering systems. When curved structures are subjected to dynamic loads, they are susceptible to dynamic instabilities especially dynamic snap-through buckling. The identification of the dynamic stability boundary that separate the non-snap and post-snap responses is hence necessary for the safe design of such structures, but typically requires extensive transient simulations that may lead to high computation cost. This paper proposes a scaling approach that reveals the similarities between dynamic snap-through boundaries of different structures. Such identified features can be directly used for fast approximations of dynamic stability boundaries of slender curved structures when their geometric parameters or boundary conditions are varied. The scaled dynamic stability boundaries of half-sine arches, parabolic arches and cylindrical panels are studied.     

Non-linear in-plane buckling of rotationally restrained shallow arches under a central concentrated load

This paper investigates the non-linear in-plane buckling of pin-ended shallow circular arches with elastic end rotational restraints under a central concentrated load. A virtual work method is used to establish both the non-linear equilibrium equations and the buckling equilibrium equations. Analytical solutions for the non-linear in-plane symmetric snap-through and antisymmetric bifurcation buckling loads are obtained. It is found that the effects of the stiffness of the end rotational restraints on the buckling loads, and on the buckling and postbuckling behaviour of arches, are significant. The buckling loads increase with an increase of the stiffness of the rotational restraints. The values of the arch slenderness that delineate its snap-through and bifurcation buckling modes, and that define the conditions of buckling and of no buckling for the arch, increase with an increase of the stiffness of the rotational end restraints.     

Optimal Forms of Shallow Arches with Respect to Vibration and Stability

Shallow, linearly elastic arches of unspecified form but with given uniform cross section and material are considered. For given span and length of the arch, two different optimization problems are formulated and solved. In the first, we determine the form of the arch which maximizes the fundamental vibration frequency. The corresponding vibration mode turns out to be either symmetric or antisymmetric. In the second, a static load with given spatial distribution is considered, and the critical value of the load magnitude for snap-through instability is maximized. This instability may occur at a limit point or a bifurcation point. Optimal forms are determined for sinusoidal loading, uniform loading, and a central concentrated load. In both types of problems, arches with simply supported or clamped ends are considered, and the maximum frequencies and critical loads obtained are compared to those for a circular arch with similar end conditions. In all the cases with simply supported ends, it is found that a circular arch is almost optimal. For clamped ends, however, it turns out that the optimal arches have zero slope at the ends and that they are much more efficient than a circular arch.     

SMA-induced snap-through of unsymmetric fiber-reinforced composite laminates

A theory is developed and experiments designed to study the concept of using shape memory alloy (SMA) wires to effect the snap-through of unsymmetric composite laminates. The concept is presented in the context of structural morphing, that is, a structure changing shape to adjust to changing conditions or to change operating characteristics. While the specific problem studied is a simplification, the overall concept is to potentially take advantage of structures which have multiple equilibrium configurations and expend power only to change the structure from one configuration to another rather than to continuously expend power to hold the structure in the changed configuration. The unsymmetric laminate could be the structure itself, or simply part of a structure. Specifically, a theory is presented which allows for the prediction of the moment levels needed to effect the snap-through event. The moment is generated by a force and support arrangement attached to the laminate. A heated SMA wire attached to the supports provides the force. The necessary SMA constitutive behavior and laminate mechanics are presented. To avoid dealing with the heat transfer aspects of the SMA wire, the theory is used to predict snap-through as a function of SMA wire temperature, which can be measured directly. The geometry and force level considerations of the experiment are discussed, and the results of testing four unsymmetric laminates are compared with predictions. Laminate strain levels vs. temperature and the snap-through temperatures are measured for the these laminates. Repeatability of the experimental results is generally good, and the predictions are in reasonable agreement with the measurements.     

Post-buckling behavior of a fixed arch for variable geometry structures

The behavior of a bistable strut for variable geometry structures was investigated in this paper. A fixed shallow arch subjected to a central concentrated load was used to study the equilibrium path of the bistable strut. Based on a nonlinear strain–displacement relationship, the critical loads for both the symmetric snap-through and asymmetric bifurcation buckling modes were obtained. Moreover, the principal of virtual work was also used to establish the post-buckling differential equilibrium equations of the arch in the horizontal and vertical directions. Therefore, the whole mechanical behavior before and after the buckling of fixed arches is investigated.     

On the geometric conditions for multiple stable equilibria in clamped arches

Curved structures, such as beams, arches, and panels are capable of exhibiting snap-through buckling behavior when loaded laterally, that is they can exhibit multiple stable equilibria, sometimes after any external loading is removed. This is a consequence of highly nonlinear force-deflection relations with perhaps multiple crossings of the zero-force axis for typical equilibrium paths. However, the propensity to maintain a stable snapped-through equilibrium position (in addition to the nominally unloaded equilibrium configuration) after the load is removed depends on certain geometric properties. A number of clamped arches are used to illustrate the relation between geometry (essentially the shape) and corresponding equilibrium configuration(s), and especially those conditions for which the initial equilibrium configuration is the only stable shape possible. Furthermore, related results are obtained when a change in the thermal environment may cause a system to exhibit a stable snapped-through equilibrium even when the system at ambient thermal conditions does not. Some representative examples are produced using a 3D printer for verification purposes.     

Rapid sliding motion of a rigid frictionless indentor with a flat base over a thermoelastic half-space

The three-dimensional, rapid sliding indentation of a deformable half-space by a rigid indentor of a flat elliptical base is treated in this paper. The response of the material that fills the half-space is assumed to be governed by coupled thermoelasticity. The indentor translates without friction on the half-space surface at a constant sub-Rayleigh speed and the problem is treated as a steady-state one. An exact solution is obtained that is based on a Green’s function approach, integral equations, and Galin’s theorem. A closed-form expression for the distributed contact pressure under the elliptical base of the indentor is derived. Representative numerical results are given illustrating the effects of the indentor velocity, indentor geometry, and parameters of the thermoelastic solid on the contact displacement. Since there is an analogy between the steady-state theories of thermoelasticity and poroelasticity, the present results carry over to the latter case directly.     

The dynamic indentation of an elastic half-space

A method is given for finding the distribution of traction beneath a conical or a wedge-shaped indentor, moving into an elastic half-space, for the two extreme cases of perfect adhesion between indentor and half-space, and perfectly lubricated indentors. Relations between indenting force, velocity of indentor and area of contact are investigated and found to be fairly insensitive to the friction, although in applications in which the shear traction is required a model with friction would be essential. Mathematically, the paper provides the first accurate solutions of any dynamic mixed boundary value problems with essentially coupled mixed conditions.

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Zusammenfassung Es wird eine Methode zur Bestimmung der Belastung eines keil-oder kegelförmigen Körpers angegeben, der in einen elastischen Halbraum eindringt, wobei die beiden Grenzfäll-vollständige Adhäsion zwischen eindringendem Körper und Halbraum sowie perfekte Schmierung-betrachtet werden. Beziehungen zwischen Eindrückkraft, Eindringgeschwindigkeit und Kontaktfläche werden untersucht. Dabei ergibt sich eine gewisse Unempfindlichkeit gegenüber Reibung, obschon ein Modell unter Berücksichtigung der Reibung dann erforderlich ist, wenn die Schubbeanspruchung benötigt wird. Mathematisch gesehen liefert die vorliegende Arbeit die erste exakte Lösung eines dynamischen gemischten Randwertproblems mit gekoppelten gemischten Bedingungen.

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School of Mathematics, Bath University     

Nonlinear dynamics and performance analysis of modified snap-through vibration energy harvester with time-varying potential function

Vibration energy harvesting has emerged as a promising method to harvest energy for small-scale applications. Enhancing the performance of a vibration energy harvester(VEH) incorporating nonlinear techniques, for example, the snap-through VEH with geometric non-linearity, has gained attention in recent years. A conventional snap-through VEH is a bi-stable system with a time-invariant potential function, which was investigated extensively in the past. In this work, a modified snap-through VEH wit...     

Forced Oscillations of a System,Containing a Snap-Through Truss,Close to Its Equilibrium Position

The nonlinear dynamics of a two-degree-of-freedom mechanical system is considered. This system consists of a linear oscillator under the action of a time-periodic force and a snap-through truss, which acts as an absorber of the forced oscillations of the linear main system. The forced oscillations of the snap-through truss close to its equilibrium position are analyzed by the multiple scales method.     

关于铅球最佳出手角的数值分析

考虑铅球运动员的推力随出手角的变化, 利用Matlab软件计算出手角的最佳值. 在此基础上讨论了运动员的身高、推力、角度衰减系数以及铅球质量对最佳出手角的影响.     

Static and dynamic snap-through behaviour of an elastic spherical shell

The deformation and snap-through behaviour of athin-walled elastic spherical shell statically compressed on aflat surface or impacted against a flat surface are studied theoretically and numerically in order to estimate the influenceof the dynamic effects on the response.A table tennis ballis considered as an example of a thin-walled elastic shell.Itis shown that the increase of the impact velocity leads to avariation of the deformed shape thus resulting in larger deformation energy.The increase of the contact force is causedby both the increased contribution of the inertia forces andcontribution of the increased deformation energy.The contact force resulted from deformation/inertia ofthe ball and the shape of the deformed region are calculated by the proposed theoretical models and compared withthe results from both the finite element analysis and somepreviously obtained experimental data.Good agreement isdemonstrated.     

Sliding Contact with Friction at Arbitrary Constant Speeds on a Pre-Stressed Highly Elastic Half-Space

Resisted by Coulomb friction, a rigid indentor slides at a constant arbitrary speed on a generalized neo-Hookean half-space under pre-stress. A dynamic steady-state situation in plane strain is assumed, and is treated as the superposition of contact-triggered infinitesimal deformations upon finite deformations due to pre-stress. Exact solutions are presented for both deformations, and the infinitesimal component exhibits the anisotropy typically induced by pre-stress, and wave speeds that are sensitive to pre-stress. In view of the unilateral constraints of contact, these and other critical speeds define the sliding speed ranges for physically-acceptable solutions. In particular, a Rayleigh speed is the upper bound for subsonic sliding. Solutions are further constrained by the unilateral requirement that contact zone shear must oppose indentor/half-space slip. The generic parabolic indentor is used for illustration, and it is found that traction continuity at the contact zone leading edge is lost for supersonic sliding and at the single sliding speed allowed in the frictionless limit in the trans-sonic range. A range of acceptable pre-stresses is also identified; for pre-stresses that lie out of range, either a negative Poisson effect occurs, or the Rayleigh wave disappears, thereby precluding sliding in the subsonic range. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Molecular dynamics simulation of liquid argon flow at platinum surfaces

The micro Poiseuille flow for liquid argon flowing in a nanoscale channel formed by two solid walls was studied in the present paper. The solid wall material was selected as platinum, which has well established interaction potential. We consider the intermolecular force not only among the liquid argon molecules, but also between the liquid argon atoms and the solid wall particles, therefore three regions, i.e. the liquid argon computation domain, the top and bottom solid wall regions are included for the force interaction. The present MD (Molecular Dynamics) simulation was performed without any assumptions at the wall surface. The objective of the study is to find how the flow and the slip boundaries at the wall surface are affected by the applied gravity force, or the shear rate. The MD simulations are performed in a nondimensional unit system, with the periodic boundary conditions applied except in the channel height direction. Once the steady state is reached, the macroscopic parameters are evaluated using the statistical mechanics approach. For all the cases tested numerically in the present paper, slip boundaries occur, and such slip velocity at the stationary wall surface increases with increasing the applied gravity force, or the shear rate. The slip length, which is defined as the distance that the liquid particles shall travel beyond the wall surfaces to reach the same velocity as the wall surface, sharply decreases at small shear rate, then slightly decreases with increasing the applied shear rate. We observe that the liquid viscosity remains nearly constant at small shear rates, and the Newtonian flow occurs. However, with increasing the shear rate, the viscosity increases and the non-Newtonian flow appears.     

Bifurcation and buckling analysis of a unilaterally confined self-rotating cantilever beam

A nonlinear dynamic model of a simple non-holonomic system comprising a self-rotating cantilever beam subjected to a unilateral locked or unlocked constraint is established by employing the general Hamilton's Variational Principle. The critical values, at which the trivial equilibrium loses its stability or the unilateral constraint is activated or a saddle-node bifurcation occurs, and the equilibria are investigated by approximately analytical and numerical methods. The results indicate that both the buckled equilibria and the bifurcation mode of the beam are different depending on whether the distance of the clearance of unilateral constraint equals zero or not and whether the unilateral constraint is locked or not. The unidirectional snap-through phenomenon (i.e. catastrophe phenomenon) is destined to occur in the system no matter whether the constraint is lockable or not. The saddle-node bifurcation can occur only on the condition that the unilateral constraint is lockable and its clearance is non-zero. The results obtained by two methods are consistent. The project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (10272002) and the Doctoral Program from the Ministry of Education of China (20020001032) The English text was polished by Yunming Chen.     

Spatio-temporal analysis of the turbulent flow in a ribbed channel

The turbulent flow in a channel with transverse ribs over one wall is studied experimentally. The height of the obstacles is about one tenth of the channel height, and the spacing is 10 times their height. The Reynolds number based on the channel hydraulic diameter and bulk flow velocity is 15,000. Velocity fields are obtained with high spatial and temporal resolution along the streamwise/wall-normal plane by means of time-resolved particle image velocimetry. Beside mean velocity and Reynolds stresses, the flow is investigated through two-point correlations, distributions of spanwise-swirling events, space–time velocity diagrams and power spectral density. Although the separated flow reattaches before the following obstacle is approached, a strong rib-to-rib interaction occurs. Spanwise vortices, 0.2 rib heights in size, are generated in the free shear layer, travel across the whole pitch, and may impact on the next rib. The large scale motions triggered by the separation grow in size until they reach the following obstacle. Flapping of the separated shear layer is observed at frequencies consistent with previous studies, causing the instantaneous reattachment point to fluctuate. The flapping initiates at the downstream edge of the obstacle tip, rather than at the upstream edge where the instantaneous separation occurs.     

Taking into account van der Waals interaction in some problems of elasticity

We obtain the correction due to van der Waals forces to the flexural rigidity of a layer. The cases of a monolayer and a film consisting of several monolayers are considered. The correction due to van der Waals interaction to the force acting on an indentor is obtained. Two versions of determining the elastic forces at the microlevel are considered. Numerical estimates of the parameter values for which the correction is essential are given.     

Some specific characteristics of indentation of cracked layered structures

Several general laws of deformation of an inhomogeneous elastic layered structure under the action of an indentor and the force–indentation dependence during the loading of cracked specimens are studied, and relations for the critical values of the parameters at which separation is possible are constructed.