A novel virtual node method for polygonal elements

A novel polygonal finite element method （PFEM） based on partition of unity is proposed, termed the virtual node method （VNM）. To test the performance of the present method, numerical examples are given for solid mechanics problems. With a polynomial form, the VNM achieves better results than those of traditional PFEMs, including the Wachspress method and the mean value method in standard patch tests. Compared with the standard triangular FEM, the VNM can achieve better accuracy. With the ability to construct shape functions on polygonal elements, the VNM provides greater flexibility in mesh generation. Therefore, several fracture problems are studied to demonstrate the potential implementation. With the advantage of the VNM, the convenient refinement and remeshing strategy are applied.     

A novel twice-interpolation finite element method for solid mechanics problems

Formulation and numerical evaluation of a novel twice-interpolation finite element method （TFEM） is presented for solid mechanics problems. In this method, the trial function for Galerkin weak form is constructed through two stages of consecutive interpolation. The primary interpolation follows exactly the same procedure of standard FEM and is further reproduced according to both nodal values and averaged nodal gradients obtained from primary interpolation. The trial functions thus constructed have continuous nodal gradients and contain higher order polynomial without increasing total freedoms. Several benchmark examples and a real dam problem are used to examine the TFEM in terms of accuracy and convergence. Compared with standard FEM, TFEM can achieve significantly better accuracy and higher convergence rate, and the continuous nodal stress can be obtained without any smoothing operation. It is also found that TFEM is insensitive to the quality of the elemental mesh. In addition, the present TFEM can treat the incompressible material without any modification.     

A novel four-node quadrilateral element with continuous nodal stress

Formulation and numerical evaluation of a novel four-node quadrilateral element with continuous nodal stress（Q4-CNS）are presented.Q4-CNS can be regarded as an improved hybrid FE-meshless four-node quadrilateral element（FE-LSPIM QUAD4）, which is a hybrid FE-meshless method.Derivatives of Q4-CNS are continuous at nodes, so the continuous nodal stress can be obtained without any smoothing operation.It is found that,compared with the standard four-node quadrilateral element（QUAD4）,Q4- CNS can achieve significantly better accuracy and higher convergence rate.It is also found that Q4-CNS exhibits high tolerance to mesh distortion.Moreover,since derivatives of Q4-CNS shape functions are continuous at nodes,Q4-CNS is potentially useful for the problem of bending plate and shell models.     

节点应力连续的四边形单元

节点应力连续的四边形单元Q4-CNS是一种基于单位分解理论的混合的有限元无网格法.Q4-CNS可以视作FE-LSPIM QUAD4的发展.Q4-CNS形函数的导数在节点处是连续的,因此可以自然的得到节点应力,而不需要使用节点应力磨平算法.数值实验表明,与传统四边形单元(QUAD4)相比,Q4-CNS具有更好的计算精度和更高的收敛速度.在扭曲网格下,Q4-CNS也能取得满意的数值精度.然而,QUAD4的数值精度则会随着网格的扭曲明显的变差.基于Kirchhoff-Love假设的非协调板单元计算中,不仅要求形函数在单元的交界面上要保持C0连续性,而且要求形函数在节点处具有C1连续性,所以在任意的四边形单元上构造满足插值条件的非协调板单元形函数较为困难.Q4-CNS形函数的导数在节点处是连续的,所以Q4-CNS在求解基于Kirchhoff-Love假设的板单元问题中具有潜在的应用价值.     

基于虚节点的多边形有限元法

虚节点法是一种新的基于单位分解理论的多边形有限元法.将虚节点法应用于求解弹性力学问题,并且通过大量数值实验测试虚节点法的计算效果.因为虚节点法具有多项式形式,所以有效地降低了传统多边形有限元法的积分误差.数值实验证明,在分片实验中虚节点法能得到比包括Wachspress法和mean value法在内的传统多边形有限元法更精确的数值结果.在收敛性试验中,虚节点法在相同节点数的条件下能取得比三角形一次单元更精确的数值结果.因为虚节点法能适应任意边数的多边形单元,所以对网格具有很强的适应性,在几何条件复杂、网格生成困难的问题中具有良好的应用价值.为了展示虚节点法潜在的应用价值,用虚节点法求解断裂力学应力强度因子和模拟裂纹扩展.同时,基于多边形单元的网格重划分技术和网格加密技术也应用于求解断裂力学应力强度因子和模拟裂纹扩展.