Estimation of material properties of cancellous bone using multiscale FEM

Cancellous bone is a spongy type of bone with voids filled by blood marrow. Without much loss of generality it can be modeled as a material with periodic microstructure where overall parameters can be calculated using homogenization methods. Here the multiscale finite element method is applied and the assumed representative volume element (RVE) is a cube with solid frame and fluid core. From the point of view of the finite element method the RVE is a combination of solid and shell elements. As the acoustic excitation is considered, a complex stiffness matrix and complex displacements appear in the solution of the problem. Calculation of overall properties is repeated for different geometries of the solid frame. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The problem of membrane locking in finite element analysis of cylindrical shells

Summary We analyse the problem of membrane locking in (h, p) finite element models of a thin hemicylindrical shell roof loaded by a smoothly varying normal pressure distribution. We show that in the standard finite element method, locking occurs especially at low values ofp and when the finite element grid is not aligned with the axis of the cylinder. A general strategy of avoiding locking by using modified bilinear forms is introduced, and a special implementation of this strategy on aligned rectangular grids is considered.     

A finite shell element with well balanced approximation functions for piezoelectric coupling

This contribution is concerned with a piezoelectric shell formulation. The present shell element has four nodes and bilinear interpolation functions. The nodal degrees of freedom are displacements, rotations and the electric potential on top and bottom of the shell. A 3D–material law is incorporated. In case of bending dominated problems incompatible approximation functions of the electrical and mechanical fields cause incorrect results. This effect occurs in standard element formulations, where the mechanical and electrical degrees of freedom are approximated with lowest order interpolation functions. In order to overcome this problem a mixed multi–field variational approach is introduced. It allows for approximations of the electric field and the strains independent of the bilinear interpolation functions. A quadratic approach for the shear strains and the electric field is proposed through the shell thickness. This leads to well balanced approximation functions regarding coupling of electrical and mechanical fields. A numerical example illustrates the more precise results in contrast to standard elements. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Generalized semi-infinite programming: Theory and methods

Generalized semi-infinite optimization problems (GSIP) are considered. The difference between GSIP and standard semi-infinite problems (SIP) is illustrated by examples. By applying the `Reduction Ansatz', optimality conditions for GSIP are derived. Numerical methods for solving GSIP are considered in comparison with methods for SIP. From a theoretical and a practical point of view it is investigated, under which assumptions a GSIP can be transformed into an SIP.     

Optimal design of midsurface of shells: Differentiability proof and sensitivity computation

We suppose that a shell submitted to a given load (self-weight or wind, for instance), has to resist as well as possible towards given criteria. We aim at the following problem: Is it possible to find an optimal design of the midsurface of the shell with respect to this criteria? This problem can be worked using gradient-type algorithms. In this paper we work on the differentiability proof and numerical computation of the gradient. For a given shape of the midsurface, we consider that the shell works in linear elastic conditions. We use the Budiansky-Sanders model for elastic shells, from which we get the displacement field in the shell. The criteria to be minimized are supposed to depend on the shape directly, and also through the displacement field. In this paper, we prove that the displacement field depends on the shape in a Fréchet-differentiable manner (for an appropriate topology on the set of admissible shapes). Then we give a way to compute the gradient of a given criteria from a theoretical point of view and from a numerical point of view. This allows us to use descent-type methods of optimization. They will lead to shapes which react better and better. Notice that we know nothing about convergence of these methods, the existence and unicity of a theoretical optimal solution. But from a practical point of view, it is quite interesting to be able to modify a given shape to obtain a better one.     

Finite differences on triangular grids

We define a finite differences method for triangular grids and we show how to link it to a finite element method. From this new point of view we then analyze properties of the solution and convergence. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 14: 567–579, 1998     

对应不同类型变分原理的旋转薄壳轴对称单元

本文在一定范围内,统一考察基于不同变分原理建立的有限元模型中,泛函约束条件的不同对单元性态的影响.文中以旋转薄壳轴对称单元(简称TSR单元)为例,采用相同的曲边单元几何描述,推导了七种TSR杂交单元和二种TSR位移协调元,它们分别对应于三类杂交变分原理及最小势能原理.通过单刚列式分析和波纹壳等数值算例比较,分析了不同模型的性态异同和应用上的适应性与局限性;讨论了两类模型间的相互关系;指出了TSR杂交位移元的—个发散条件,并推荐了二种性态较理想的TSR单元.     

Contact interaction inside knot connections of cables

Knots as a method for the fastening of ropes and other linear materials are widely appearing in practical applications ­ in sailing, in surgery, in textile and rope structures etc. The mechanics of knots, however, appears to be not sufficiently covered neither by analytical methods, nor by computational methods. From a computational mechanics point of view a knot is a perfect example requiring both a robust smooth cable element and a robust curve-to-curve contact algorithm. The current contribution is aimed on the development this combination ­ the isogeometric approach for curvilinear beams and the robust curve-to-curve contact algorithm for curvilinear cables. The developed model is applied studying the mechanics of various knots. (© 2010 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A modified scaled boundary finite element method for dynamic response of a discontinuous layered half-space

In this paper, a modified scaled boundary finite element method is proposed to deal with the dynamic analysis of a discontinuous layered half-space. In order to describe the geometry of discontinuous layered half-space exactly, splicing lines, rather than a point, are chosen as the scaling center. Based on the modified scaled boundary transformation of the geometry, the Galerkin's weighted residual technique is applied to obtain the corresponding scaled boundary finite element equations in displacement. Then a modified version of dimensionless frequency is defined, and the governing first-order partial differential equations in dynamic stiffness with respect to the excitation frequency are obtained. The global stiffness is obtained by adding the dynamic stiffness of the interior domain calculated by a standard finite element method, and the dynamic stiffness of far field is calculated by the proposed method. The comparison of two existing solutions for a horizontal layered half-space confirms the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed approach. Finally, the dynamic response of a discontinuous layered half-space due to vertical uniform strip loadings is investigated.     

Computation of the Three-Dimensional Stress State in Composite Shell Structures with Mixed Finite Elements

Being able to compute the complete three-dimensional stress state in layered composite shell structures is essential in order to examine complicated interlaminar failure modes such as delamination. We lay out a mixed finite element formulation with independent displacements, rotations, stress resultants and shell strains. A mixed hybrid shell element with 4 nodes and 5 or 6 nodal degrees of freedom is developed, so that the element formulation can also be used for problems with shell intersections. (© 2010 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Analysis of finite element approximation and quadrature of Volterra integral equations

In this article we study Galerkin finite element approximations to integral equations of the Volterra type. Our prime concern is the noncoercive case, which is not covered by the standard finite element theory. The question of rates of convergence is studied for the case where an exact stiffness matrix is available, as well as the case where the latter is approximated via quadrature rules. The optimality of these rules is also considered from the point of view of the effect the choice of the quadrature has on the overall rate of convergence. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 13: 663–672, 1997     

Existence of nonclassical solutions in a Pedestrian flow model

The main result of this note is the existence of nonclassical solutions to the Cauchy problem for a conservation law modeling pedestrian flow. From the physical point of view, the main assumption of this model was recently experimentally confirmed in [D. Helbing, A. Johansson, H.Z. Al-Abideen, Dynamics of crowd disasters: An empirical study, Phys. Rev. E 75 (4) (2007) 046109]. Furthermore, the present model describes the fall in a door through-flow due to the rise of panic, as well as the Braess’ paradox. From the analytical point of view, this model is an example of a conservation law in which nonclassical solutions have a physical motivation and a global existence result for the Cauchy problem, with large data, is available.     

Advanced finite element formulations for modeling thin piezoelectric structures

This contribution is concerned with mixed finite element formulations for modeling piezoelectric beam and shell structures. Due to the electromechanical coupling, specific deformation modes are joined with electric field components. In bending dominated problems incompatible approximation functions of these fields cause incorrect results. These effects occur in standard finite element formulations, where interpolation functions of lowest order are used. A mixed variational approach is introduced to overcome these problems. The mixed formulation allows for a consistent approximation of the electromechanical coupled problem. It utilizes six independent fields and could be derived from a Hu-Washizu variational principle. Displacements, rotations and the electric potential are employed as nodal degrees of freedom. According to the Timoshenko theory (beam) and the Reissner-Mindlin theory (shell), the formulations account for constant transversal shear strains. To incorporate three dimensional constitutive relations all transversal components of the electric field and the strain field are enriched by mixed finite element interpolations. Thus the complete piezoelectric coupling is appropriately captured. The common assumption of vanishing transversal stress and dielectric displacement components is enforced in an integral sense. Some numerical examples will demonstrate the capability of the presented finite element formulation. (© 2011 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Saddle-node-Hopf bifurcation in a modified Leslie–Gower predator-prey model with time-delay and prey harvesting

From the saddle-node-Hopf bifurcation point of view, this paper considers a modified Leslie–Gower predator-prey model with time delay and the Michaelis–Menten type prey harvesting. Firstly, we discuss the stability of the equilibria, obtain the critical conditions for the saddle-node-Hopf bifurcation, and give the completion bifurcation set by calculating the universal unfoldings near the saddle-node-Hopf bifurcation point by using the normal form theory and center manifold theorem. Then we derive the parameter conditions for the existence of monostable coexistence equilibrium and the parameter regions in which both the prey-extinction and the coexistence equilibrium (or coexistence periodic or quasi-periodic solutions) are simultaneously stabilized. We also investigate the heteroclinic bifurcation, and describe the phenomenon that the periodic behavior disappears as through the heteroclinic bifurcation. Finally, some numerical simulations are performed to support our analytic results.     

多台设备老炼试验数据情形下的可靠性评估

从统计计算的角度出发,提出多台设备老炼试验可靠性评估方法,并模拟计算了可靠度置信下限的覆盖率、分位点及标准差.结果表明此方法具有可行性和实用性.     

A proof of the normal form theorem for the closed terms of Girard's system F by means of computability

In this paper a proof of the normal form theorem for the closed terms of Girard's system F is given by using a computability method à la Tait. It is worth noting that most of the standard consequences of the normal form theorem can be obtained using this version of the theorem as well. From the proof-theoretical point of view the interest of the proof is that the definition of computable derivation here used does not seem to be well founded. MSC: 03F05, 03B15.     

半素环扩张中心上的模（英文）

设C为半素环R的扩张中心，通过C中的幂等元，我们可以在任意C－模上建立拓扑空间，从拓扑学角度出发，我们证明，殆Hausdorff C- 模为内射模，此外，我们给出殆Hausdorff C-模的一种有趣刻画：若M和N都是殆Hausdorff C-模，则存在一个幂等元e∈C，使得Me可嵌入到Ne中且N（1－e)可嵌入到M（1-e)中。     

A spatial shear deformable beam finite element based on the absolute nodal coordinate formulation

In the present paper a three-dimensional beam finite element undergoing large deformations is proposed. Since the definition of the proposed finite element is based on the absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF), no rotational coordinates occur in the formulation. In the current approach, the orientation of the cross section is parameterized by means of slope vectors. Since those are no unit vectors, the cross-section can deform, similar to existing thick beam and shell elements. The nodal displacements and the directional derivatives of the displacements are chosen as nodal coordinates, but in contrast to standard ANCF elements, the proposed formulation is based on the two transversal slope vectors per node only. Different approaches for the virtual work of elastic forces are presented: a continuum mechanics based formulation, as well as a structural mechanics based formulation, which is in accordance with classical nonlinear beam finite elements. Since different interpolation functions as in standard ANCF elements are used, a much better convergence rate (up to order four) can be obtained. Therefore, the present element has high potential for application in geometrically nonlinear problems. (© 2011 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A double degenerated finite element for modeling the crack tip singularity

The objective of this paper is to propose a modified finite element called double quarter point finite element (DQPE) for modeling the singularity near the crack tip. Two techniques of evaluation (displacement correlation technique DCT and quarter point displacement technique QPDT) were used to estimate numerically the calibration factor for CN specimen. This study appears that the DQPE element is more effective than the QPE element. Not only that, but the length of the double quarter point finite element (DQPE) has little impact on the results. Numerical experiments are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed element.