Dynamic elastoplastic analysis by a hybrid BEM–FEM time-domain formulation

This study presents a hybrid BEM–FEM procedure for the dynamic analysis of elastoplastic models. In this hybrid approach, boundary node and internal point displacements are evaluated considering the time-domain BEM formulation (initial stress approach), and stresses are computed taking into account FEM techniques (domain discretization is only necessary where non-linear behaviour is expected to occur). This hybrid methodology is very appropriate to model infinite or semi-infinite elastoplastic models and, at the end of the paper, three numerical applications are presented, illustrating the potentialities of the proposed formulation.     

Thermal shock analyses for a strip containing an infinite row of periodically distributed cracks normal to its edge

The transient thermal stress problem of a semi-infinite plate containing an infinite row of periodically distributed cracks normal to its edge is investigated in this paper. The elastic medium is assumed to be cooled suddenly on the crack-containing edge. By the superposition principle, the formulation leads to a mixed boundary value problem, with the negating tractions arisen from the thermal stresses for a crack-free semi-infinite plate. The resulting singular integral equation is solved numerically. The effects on the stress intensity factors due to the presence of periodically distributed cracks in a semi-infinite plate are illustrated. For both the edge crack and the embedded crack arrays, the stress intensity factors increase, due to the reduction of the shielding effect, as the stacking cracks are more separated. For the case of embedded crack array, one has the further conclusion that the stress intensity factors decline as the crack array shifts from the plate edge.     

The analysis of the semi-infinite cylinder problem

A semi-infinite cylinder with fixed short end is considered. Normal loads far away from the fixed end are prescribed. An exact formulation of the problem in terms of a singular integral equation is provided by using an integral transform technique. Stresses along the rigid end and stress intensity factors are computed numerically and are presented graphically.     

A semi-inverse shape optimization problem in linear anti-plane shear

The design of a semi-infinite fillet for efficient stress transmission is considered. The problem is treated within the context of anti-plane shear deformations of a homogeneous, isotropic, linearly elastic solid. Under a remote state of simple shear, it is desired to determine the shape of the traction-free lateral boundaries of a symmetric plane domain so that the shear stress distribution on the finite end is as uniform as possible. A semi-inverse approach for a particular class of semi-infinite profiles is used to examine this issue.     

Generalization of Saint-Venant's principle to micropolar continua

The mathematical formulation and proof of Saint-Venant's principle as given by Toupin for non-polar solids is generalized to the case of micropolar elasticity. On one end of a micropolar cylinder of arbitrary length and cross-section we apply a system of self-equilibrated stresses and couple stresses. We first prove that the norms of the stress and couple stress tensors are bounded by the energy density. By means of Rayleigh's principle for the lowest natural eigenfrequency for a slice of the cylinder we then prove that the energy, stored in the cylinder beyond a certain distance from the loaded end, has an exponential decrease with this distance, thus establishing Saint-Venant's principle for the system.     

Intensity of singular stress fields causing interfacial debonding at the end of a fiber under pullout force and transverse tension

In this study, singular stress fields at the ends of fibers are discussed by the use of models of rectangular and cylindrical inclusions in a semi-infinite body under pullout force. Those singular stresses have not been discussed yet in the previous studies for pullout problems although they are important for causing interfacial initial debonding. The body force method is used to formulate those problems as a system of singular integral equations where unknowns are densities of the body forces distributed in a semi-infinite body having the same elastic constants as those of the matrix and inclusions. In order to compare the results with the previous solutions, tension problems of a fiber in a semi-infinite body are also considered. Then, generalized stress intensity factors at the corner of rectangular and cylindrical inclusions are systematically calculated for various geometrical conditions with varying the elastic ratio, length, and spacing of the location from edge to inner of the body. The effects of elastic modulus ratio and aspect ratio of inclusion upon the stress intensity factors are discussed for pullout problems.     

End effects for plane deformations of an elastic anisotropic semi-infinite strip

In the linear theory of elasticity, Saint-Venant's principle is used to justify the neglect of edge effects when determining stresses in a body. For isotropic materials, the validity of this is well established. However for anisotropic and composite materials, experimental results have shown that edge effects may persist much farther into the material than for isotropic materials and as a result cannot be neglected. This paper further examines the effects of material anisotropy on the exponential decay rate for stresses in a semi-infinite elastic strip. A linearly elastic semi-infinite strip in a state of plane stress/strain subject to a self-equilibrated end load is considered first for a specially orthotropic material and then for the general anisotropic material. The problem is governed by a fourth-order elliptic partial differential equation with constant coefficients. In the former case, just a single dimensionless material parameter appears, while in the latter, only three dimensionless parameters are required. Energy methods are used to establish lower bounds on the actual stress decay rate. Both analytic and numerical estimates are obtained in terms of the elastic constants of the material and results are shown for several contemporary engineering materials. When compared with the exact stress decay rate computed numerically from the eigenvalues of a fourth-order ordinary differential equation, the results in some cases show a high degree of accuracy. In particular, for strongly orthotropic materials, an asymptotic estimate provides extremely accurate estimates for the decay rate. Results of the type obtained here have several important practical applications. For example, they provide physical insight into the mechanical testing of anisotropic and laminated composite structures (including the off-axis tension test), are useful in assessing the influence of fasteners, joints, etc. on the behavior of composite structures and allow for tailoring a material with specific properties to ensure that local stresses attenuate at a desired rate.     

Variational formulation of the static Levinson beam theory

In this communication, we provide a consistent variational formulation for the static Levinson beam theory. First, the beam equations according to the vectorial formulation by Levinson are reviewed briefly. By applying the Clapeyron's theorem, it is found that the stresses on the lateral end surfaces of the beam are an integral part of the theory. The variational formulation is carried out by employing the principle of virtual displacements. As a novel contribution, the formulation includes the external virtual work done by the stresses on the end surfaces of the beam. This external virtual work contributes to the boundary conditions in such a way that artificial end effects do not appear in the theory. The obtained beam equations are the same as the vectorially derived Levinson equations. Finally, the exact Levinson beam finite element is developed.     

The effect of couple stresses on the tip of a crack

The effect of couple stresses at a crack tip is investigated by considering two particular problems. A formally exact solution is obtained (for couple-stress and micropolar elasticity) for the case of a semi-infinite crack with a prescribed internal stress. Secondly, the problem of a finite crack in an infinite medium (with couple stresses) under uniform tension at infinity, is solved by matched expansions when the couple stress parameter is small compared with the crack length. In each case it is shown that the energy release rate from a crack tip tends to the classical elastic value as the couple stress (or micropolar) parameter tends to zero.     

Reduction of contact stress by use of relief notches

The photoelastic method is used to investigate the possibility of relieving the large local stresses that develop in the corners of a right angled indenter compressing a semi-infinite body by inducing geometric changes to the indenter/semi-infinite body configuration. It is shown that a circular notch cut along the free edges of the indenter can totally eliminate the large corner stresses. The notch, if placed along the interface edge of the half plane, can reduce the stress concentration, but never eliminate it. The results obtained have wide practical application.     

Multiple fractures produced by the bending of brittle beams

This paper describes experiments where the bending of beams results in two or more fractures being formed, apparently simultaneously. This is explained in terms of the stress waves emitted by the initial fracture process. It is shown that three separate types of secondary fracture may occur as a result of the interaction between the stress pulses produced by the initial fracture and the loading stresses already present in the beam. In treating these problems it has been found helpful to use an analytical solution for the bending wave propagated when a semi-infinite beam, which is subjected to a constant bending moment, is suddenly unloaded at the free end. In modelling the longitudinal stress pulse produced by the fracture we have used a simplified model which assumes that the forcing function on the fracture plane is a force field equal to the resultant force acting on the unbroken portion of the fracture surface prior to the onset of fracture.     

Stress intensity factors for an edge interface crack in a bonded semi-infinite plate for arbitrary material combination

Although a lot of interface crack problems were previously treated, few solutions are available under arbitrary crack lengths and material combinations. In this paper the stress intensity factors of an edge interface crack in a bonded strip are considered under tension with varying the crack length and material combinations systematically. Then, the limiting solutions are provided for an edge interface crack in a bonded semi-infinite plate under arbitrary material combinations. In order to calculate the stress intensity factors accurately, exact solutions in an infinite bonded plate are also considered to produce proportional singular stress fields in the analysis of FEM by superposing specific tensile and shear stresses at infinity. The details of this new numerical solution are described with clarifying the effect of the element size on the stress intensity factor. It is found that for the edge interface crack the normalized stress intensity factors are not always finite depending upon Dunders’ parameters. This behavior can be explained from the condition of the singular stress at the end of bonded strip. Convenient formulas are also given by fitting the computed results.     

Prediction of residual flow and thermoviscoelastic stresses in injection molding

A general model for predicting the total residual stresses generated during filling and cooling stages of injection-molded parts has been developed. The model takes into account the phenomena associated with non-isothermal stress relaxation. The main hypothesis in our approach is to use the kinematics of a generalized Newtonian fluid at the end of the filling stage as the initial state for the calculation of residual flow stresses. These stresses are calculated using a single integral rheological model (Wagner model). The calculation of stresses developed during the cooling stage is based on a thermoviscoelastic model with structural relaxation. Illustrative results emphasizing the effect of both the melt temperature and the flow rate during the filling stage are presented.     

Rayleigh-type wave propagation in incompressible visco-elastic media under initial stress

Propagation of Rayleigh-type surface waves in an incompressible visco-elastic material over incompressible visco-elastic semi-infinite media under the effect of initial stresses is discussed. The dispersion equation is determined to study the effect of different types of parameters such as inhomogeneity, initial stress, wave number, phase velocity, damping factor, visco-elasticity, and incompressibility on the Rayleigh-type wave propagation. It is found that the affecting parameters have a significant effect on the wave propagation. Cardano’s and Ferrari’s methods are deployed to estimate the roots of differential equations associated with layer and semi-infinite media. The MATHEMATICA software is applied to explicate the effect of these parameters graphically.     

Orthotropic semi-infinite medium with a crack under thermal shock

A cracked orthotropic semi-infinite plate under thermal shock is investigated. The thermal stresses are generated due to sudden cooling of the boundary by ramp function temperature change. The superposition technique is used to solve the problem. The crack problem is formulated by applying the thermal stresses obtained from the uncracked plate with opposite sign to be the only external loads on the crack surfaces as the crack surface tractions. The Fourier transform technique is used to solve the problem leading to a singular equation of the Cauchy type. The singular integral equation is solved numerically using the expansion method. The influence of the material orthotropy on the stress intensity factors is shown by comparing the results obtained for different orthotropic materials and isotropic materials in the case of plane stress. The numerical results of the stress intensity factors are demonstrated as a function of time, crack length, location of the crack and the duration of the cooling rate.     

A circular elastic cylinder under its own weight

An exact analysis of deformation and stress field in a finite circular elastic cylinder under its own weight is presented, with emphasis on the end effect. The problem is formulated on the basis of the state space formalism for axisymmetric deformation of a transversely isotropic body. Upon delineating the Hamiltonian characteristics of the formulation, a rigorous solution which satisfies the end conditions is determined by using eigenfunction expansion. The results show that the end effect is significant but confined to a local region near the base where the displacement and stress distributions are remarkably different from those according to the simplified solution that gives a uniaxial stress state. It is more pronounced in the cylinder with the bottom plane being perfectly bonded than in smooth contact with a rigid base.     

The state vector methods for space axisymmetric problems in multilayered piezoelectric media

The state vector equations for space axisymmetric problems of transversely isotropic piezoelectric media are established from the basic equations. Using the Hankel transform, the state vector equations are reduced to a system of ordinary differential equations. An analytical solution of the problems in the Hankel transform space is presented in the form of the product of initial state vector and transfer matrix. The transfer matrices are given for the three distinct eigenvalues. Applications of the solutions are discussed. An analytical solution for the transversely isotropic semi-infinite piezoelectric media subjected to concerted point loads on the surface z=0 is presented in the Hankel transform space. Using transfer matrix and the continuity conditions at the layer interfaces, the general solution formulation of N-layered transversely isotropic piezoelectric media is given. A selected set of numerical solutions is presented for a layered semi-infinite piezoelectric solid.     

Saint-Venant end effects for plane deformations of linear piezoelectric solids

The recent developments in smart structures technology have stimulated renewed interest in the fundamental theory and applications of linear piezoelectricity. In this paper, we investigate the decay of Saint-Venant end effects for plane deformations of a piezoelectric semi-infinite strip. First of all, we develop the theory of plane deformations for a general anisotropic linear piezoelectric solid. Just as in the mechanical case, not all linear homogeneous anisotropic piezoelectric cylindrical solids will sustain a non-trivial state of plane deformation. The governing system of four second-order partial differential equations for the two in-plane displacements and electric potential are overdetermined in general. Sufficient conditions on the elastic and piezoelectric constants are established that do allow for a state of plane deformation. The resulting traction boundary-value problem with prescribed surface charge is an oblique derivative boundary-value problem for a coupled elliptic system of three second-order partial differential equations. The special case of a piezoelectric material transversely isotropic about the poling axis is then considered. Thus the results are valid for the hexagonal crystal class 6mm. The geometry is then specialized to be a two-dimensional semi-infinite strip and the poling axis is the axis transverse to the longitudinal direction. We consider such a strip with sides traction-free, subject to zero surface charge and self-equilibrated conditions at the end and with tractions and surface charge assumed to decay to zero as the axial variable tends to infinity. A formulation of the problem in terms of an Airy-type stress function and an induction function is adopted. The governing partial differential equations are a coupled system of a fourth and third-order equation for these two functions. On seeking solutions that exponentially decay in the axial direction one obtains an eigenvalue problem for a coupled system of fourth and second-order ordinary differential equations. This problem is the piezoelectric analog of the well-known eigenvalue problem arising in the case of an anisotropic elastic strip. It is shown that the problem can be uncoupled to an eigenvalue problem for a single sixth-order ordinary differential equation with complex eigenvalues characterized as roots of transcendental equations governing symmetric and anti-symmetric deformations and electric fields. Assuming completeness of the eigenfunctions, the rate of decay of end effects is then given by the real part of the eigenvalue with smallest positive real part. Numerical results are given for PZT-5H, PZT-5, PZT-4 and Ceramic-B. It is shown that end effects for plane deformations of these piezoceramics penetrate further into the strip than their counterparts for purely elastic isotropic materials.