Two-dimensional Hierarchical Models for Prismatic Shells with Thickness Vanishing at the Boundary

We construct variational hierarchical two-dimensional models for elastic, prismatic shells of variable thickness vanishing at boundary. With the help of variational methods, existence and uniqueness theorems for the corresponding two-dimensional boundary value problems are proved in appropriate weighted functional spaces. By means of the solutions of these two-dimensional boundary value problems, a sequence of approximate solutions in the corresponding three-dimensional region is constructed. We establish that this sequence converges in the Sobolev space H¹ to the solution of the original three-dimensional boundary value problem. Mathematics Subject Classifications (2000) 74K20, 74K25.     

Analysis of right closed thin-walled prismatic shells supported by stringers with geometric and physical nonlinearity taken into account

We consider thin-walled right-angle closed prismatic shells with rigid contour of the transverse cross-section. Such shells underlie the schemes used in the analysis of various thin-walled spatial structures. The use of nonlinear physical and geometric relations in the computations permits numerically obtaining the strength margin of the corresponding structures. In the present paper, we propose methods for obtaining a boundary value problem and analyzing such shells with nonlinear factors taken into account; the problem is presented as a system of linear differential equations with variable coefficients. We show that, within the approach proposed, this boundary value problem has a fixed structure independent of the special form of nonlinearity. The entire variety of problems of static analysis of right-angle prismatic shells with nonlinear factors taken into account can be reduced to solving this boundary value problem. Methods for taking a specific nonlinearity into account are treated as various methods for obtaining expressions for the variable coefficients in the matrices of the boundary value problem. We present methods for solving this boundary value problem numerically; these methods are independent of the specific form of the nonlinearity.     

黏弹性层合圆柱壳的临界轴压分析

基于经典屈曲理论,研究了轴向受压黏弹性复合材料层合圆柱壳的临界屈曲载荷. 利用Boltzmann线性积分型本构关系描述铺设单层的各向异性黏弹性行为. 结合解析与数值 方法,由Donnell型屈曲控制方程以及边界条件的Laplace变换导出相空间的特征方程,根 据Laplace逆变换的极值定理,获得层合圆柱壳的瞬时弹性临界载荷与持久临界载荷. 针对 多组铺设方式,通过数值算例重点分析了临界载荷随铺设角的变化特征,两种临界载荷的峰 值点差异程度与铺设方式、几何参数以及材料类型的关系,得到了一些对黏弹性层合圆柱壳 的优化设计有参考价值的结论.     

On the theory of elastic shells made from a material with voids

In this paper we present a theory for porous elastic shells using the model of Cosserat surfaces. We employ the Nunziato–Cowin theory of elastic materials with voids and introduce two scalar fields to describe the porosity of the shell: one field characterizes the volume fraction variations along the middle surface, while the other accounts for the changes in volume fraction along the shell thickness. Starting from the basic principles, we first deduce the equations of the nonlinear theory of Cosserat shells with voids. Then, in the context of the linear theory, we prove the uniqueness of solution for the boundary initial value problem. In the case of an isotropic and homogeneous material, we determine the constitutive coefficients for Cosserat shells, by comparison with the results derived from the three-dimensional theory of elastic media with voids. To this aim, we solve two elastostatic problems concerning rectangular plates with voids: the pure bending problem and the extensional deformation under hydrostatic pressure.     

A representative volume element based on translational symmetries for FE analysis of cracked laminates with two arrays of cracks

A methodology is proposed for the construction of a representative volume element (RVE) for analysis of laminated composites containing two arrays of ply cracks running in different directions. The only requirement is that the cracks in any ply are uniformly spaced, and if more than one ply of a given orientation is cracked, then the crack spacing of individual plies must only be in exact multiples of each other. The spacing of cracks in the two directions can be fully independent. The RVE is constructed through a systematic consideration of translational symmetries present in the cracked laminate. As a result, the boundary conditions on the RVE can be imposed without compromising accuracy. Examples of the application of the RVE methodology are given to illustrate its broad capability and a finite element (FE) stress analysis is performed for these cases to illustrate results such as the crack surface displacements, local stress fields and RVE-averaged elastic properties. For one case, the average properties are compared with experimental results, showing good agreement.     

To the solution of the thermoelasticity problem for conical shells

We consider the stress-strain state of thin conical shells in the case of arbitary distribution of the temperature field over the shell. We obtain equations of the general theory based on the classical Kirchhoff-Love hypotheses alone. But since these equations are very complicated, attempts to construct exact solutions by analytic methods encounter considerable or insurmountable difficulties. Therefore, the present paper deals with boundary value problems posed for simplified differential equations. The total stress-strain state is constructed by “gluing” together the solutions of these equations. Such an approach (the asymptotic synthesis method) turns out to be efficient in studying not only shells of positive and zero curvature [1, 2] and cylindrical shells [3] but also conical shells [4, 5]. Here we illustrate it by an example of an arbitrary temperature field, and the problem is reduced to solving differential equations with polynomial coefficients and with right-hand side containing the Heaviside function, the delta function, and their derivatives.     

On the non-classical mathematical models of coupled problems of thermo-elasticity for multi-layer shallow shells with initial imperfections

Mathematical modeling of evolutionary states of non-homogeneous multi-layer shallow shells with orthotropic initial imperfections belongs to one of the most important and necessary steps while constructing numerous technical devices, as well as aviation and ship structural members. In first part of the paper fundamental hypotheses are formulated which allow us to derive Hamilton–Ostrogradsky equations. The latter yield equations governing shell behavior within the applied hypotheses and modified Pelekh–Sheremetev conditions. The aim of second part of the paper is to formulate fundamental hypotheses in order to construct coupled boundary problems of thermo-elasticity which are used in non-classical mathematical models for multi-layer shallow shells with initial imperfections. In addition, a coupled problem for multi-layer shell taking into account a 3D heat transfer equation is formulated. Third part of the paper introduces necessary phase spaces for the second boundary value problem for evolutionary equations, defining the coupled problem of thermo-elasticity for a simply supported shallow shell. The theorem regarding uniqueness of the mentioned boundary value problem is proved. It is also proved that the approximate solution regarding the second boundary value problem defining condition for the thermo-mechanical evolution for rectangular shallow homogeneous and isotropic shells can be found using the Bubnov–Galerkin method.     

Neumann's method for boundary problems of thin elastic shells

The possibility of using Neumann's method to solve the boundary problems for thin elastic shells is studied. The variational statement of the static problems for the shells allows for a problem examination within the distribution space. The convergence of Neumann's method is proven for the shells with holes when the boundary of the domain is not completely fixed. The numerical implementation of Neumann's method normally requires significant time before any reliable results can be achieved. This paper suggests a way to improve the convergence of the process, and allows for parallel computing and evaluation during the calculations.     

Application of conservation laws to Dirichlet problem for elliptic quasilinear systems

In the present work we show the possibility of using of conservation laws to solve the Dirichlet problem for elliptic quasilinear systems. As a result the integral representation of solution is obtained. For the system of filtration of aerated fluid in porous medium and for system of elastic–plastic torsion of prismatic rods corresponding conservation laws are calculated in explicit form and the Dirichlet problems are solved.     

A variational model for stress analysis in cracked laminates with arbitrary symmetric lay-up under general in-plane loading

The present research work presents a variational approach for stress analysis in a general symmetric laminate, having a uniform distribution of ply cracks in a single orientation, subject to general in-plane loading. Using the principle of minimum complementary energy, an optimal admissible stress field is derived that satisfies equilibrium, boundary and traction continuity conditions. Natural boundary conditions have been derived from the variational principle to overcome the limitations of the existing methodology on the analysis of general symmetric laminates. Thus, a systematic way to formulate boundary value problem for general symmetric laminates containing many cracked and un-cracked plies has been derived, and appropriate mathematical tools can then be employed to solve them. The obtained results are in excellent agreement with the available results in the literature. In the field of matrix cracks analysis for symmetric laminates, the present formulation is the most complete variational model developed so far.     

Large deflection analysis of the moderately thick general theta ply laminated plates on nonlinear elastic foundation with various boundary conditions

This paper presents a powerful method i.e. the kinetic Dynamic Relaxation for analyzing general theta ply laminated plates, resting on nonlinear elastic foundation with different boundary conditions. Comprehensive comparison and parametric studies prove accuracy and efficiency of the proposed approach with interesting specifications such as fully vector calculations, independency to configuration, situation and angle of plies so that general theta ply laminated plate with simultaneous coupling between membrane, bending and shear strains could be analyzed as simple as analyzing of symmetric cross ply plate. Moreover, the proposed technique could simply satisfy complicated boundary conditions such as free and movable edges.     

Some exact solutions for a class of compressible non-linearly elastic materials

In this paper we consider exact solutions for plane and axisymmetric deformations for a class of compressible elastic materials we call coharmonic. The coharmonic materials are derived from the harmonic materials by using Shield's inverse deformation theorem. The governing equations for the coharmonic material show the same kind of simplification associated with the harmonic materials. The equations reduce to first-order linear equations depending on an arbitrary harmonic function. They are intractable in general, so various ansätze are investigated. Boundary value problems for the coharmonic materials are compared with the same problems for harmonic materials. For certain boundary value problems, the harmonic materials exhibit well-known problematic behaviour which limits their use as models of material behaviour. The corresponding solutions for the coharmonic materials do not display these non-physical features.     

Stability of cylindrical shells with one plane of elastic symmetry under axial compression and torsion

A numerical technique is developed for stability analysis of laminated cylindrical shells with one plane of symmetry subject to axial compression and torsion. Shells filament-wound in directions other than the coordinate axes are considered as a special case. These shells are analyzed for stability under axial compression, external pressure, and torsion. It is shown that shells with a great number of plies and different ply angles may be considered orthotropic __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika, Vol. 42, No. 8, pp. 115–121, August 2006.     

Normal wave diffraction on a plate submerged in a liquid: Level gauge model,factorization method modification,and waveguide quasiresonances

An exact solution is obtained for onemore new diffraction problem whose transcendental difficulty has been known since Sommerfeld and Kirchhoff. The model of waveguide level gauge, where the main problem is the bulk diffraction of normal waves in a layered structure consisting of an elastic plate between two semi-infinite liquid layers, is investigated. The boundary value problem is solved by using a modification of the Wiener–Hopf factorization method; the factorization is used twice to solve two systems of underdetermined functional equations, and this is a specific characteristics of the problem and amethodological novelty. The proposed modification is acceptable for the class of such problems. The diffracted spectra are analyzed; the waveguide quasiresonances are physically treated; the effect of pure Lamb wave propagation under the liquid is established; the narrow-band backward-wave modes are determined.     

An Initial and Boundary Value Problem Modeling of Fish-like Swimming

In this paper we consider an initial and boundary value problem that models the self-propelled motion of solids in a bidimensional viscous incompressible fluid. The self-propelling mechanism, consisting of appropriate deformations of the solids, is a simplified model of the propulsion mechanism of fish-like swimmers. The governing equations consist of the Navier–Stokes equations for the fluid, coupled to Newton’s laws for the solids. Since we consider the case in which the fluid–solid system fills a bounded domain we have to tackle a free boundary value problem. The main theoretical result in the paper asserts the global existence and uniqueness (up to possible contacts) of strong solutions of this problem. The second novel result of this work is the provision of a numerical method for the fluid–solid system. This method provides a simulation of the simultaneous displacement of several swimmers and is tested on several examples.     

Static and dynamic buckling modes of a cylindrical shell under external pressure

We consider the problem of static and dynamic buckling modes of thin shells under external hydrostatic pressure. If the statement of the problem uses the linearized equations of motion obtained in the moderately large bending theory of shells according to the classical or refined model, then part of terms related to the external load in these equations are assumed to be conservative, and the other terms are assumed to be nonconservative. In this connection, we study four statements of the elastic stability problem for a cylindrical shell with hinged faces. The first of them is the statement of the static boundary value problem in the sense of Euler, where the action of external pressure is assumed to be conservative. The second statement is used to study small vibrations near the static equilibrium by a dynamic method for the same conservative load. The third and fourth statements of the problem correspond to the action of a nonconservative load and are similar to the first and second statements, respectively. They use the linearized equations of equilibrium and motion constructed earlier in a consistent version on the basis of a Timoshenko type model and allowing one to reveal all classical and nonclassical shell buckling modes.     

Couple stress theory for solids

By relying on the definition of admissible boundary conditions, the principle of virtual work and some kinematical considerations, we establish the skew-symmetric character of the couple-stress tensor in size-dependent continuum representations of matter. This fundamental result, which is independent of the material behavior, resolves all difficulties in developing a consistent couple stress theory. We then develop the corresponding size-dependent theory of small deformations in elastic bodies, including the energy and constitutive relations, displacement formulations, the uniqueness theorem for the corresponding boundary value problem and the reciprocal theorem for linear elasticity theory. Next, we consider the more restrictive case of isotropic materials and present general solutions for two-dimensional problems based on stress functions and for problems of anti-plane deformation. Finally, we examine several boundary value problems within this consistent size-dependent theory of elasticity.     

Laminated beams with viscoelastic interlayer

We analytically solve the time-dependent problem of a simply-supported laminated beam, composed of two elastic layers connected by a viscoelastic interlayer, whose response is modeled by a Prony’s series of Maxwell elements. This case applies in particular to laminated glass, a composite made of glass plies bonded together by polymeric films. A practical way to calculate the response of such a package is to consider also the interlayer to be linear elastic, assuming its equivalent elastic moduli to be the relaxed moduli under constant strain, after a time equal to the duration of the design action. The obtained results, that are confirmed by a full 3-D viscoelastic finite-element numerical analysis, emphasize that there is a noteworthy difference between the state of strain and stress calculated in the full-viscoelastic case or in the aforementioned “equivalent” elastic problem.     

Construction of approximate solutions of boundary value impact strain problems

The method for constructing approximate solutions of boundary value problems of impact strain dynamics in the form of ray expansions behind the strain discontinuity fronts is generalized to the case of curvilinear and diverging rays. This proposed generalization is illustrated by an example of dynamics of an antiplane motion of an elastic medium. The ray method is one of the methods for constructing approximate solutions of nonstationary boundary value problems of strain dynamics. It was proposed in [1, 2] and then widely used in nonstationary problems of mathematical physics involving surfaces on which the desired function or its derivatives have discontinuities [3–7]. A complete, qualified survey of papers in this direction can be found in [8]. This method is based on the expansion of the solution in a Taylor-type series behind the moving discontinuity surface rather than in a neighborhood of a stationary point. The coefficients of this series are the jumps of the derivatives of the unknown functions, for which, as a consequence of the compatibility conditions, one can obtain ordinary differential equations, i.e., discontinuity damping equations. In the case where the problem with velocity discontinuity surfaces is considered in a nonlinear medium, this method cannot be used directly, because one cannot obtain the damping equation. A modification of this method for the purpose of using it to solve problems of that type was proposed in [9–11], where, as an example, the solutions of several one-dimensional problems were considered. In the present paper, we show how this method can be transferred to the case of multidimensional impact strain problems in which the geometry of the ray is not known in advance and the rays become curvilinear and diverging. By way of example, we consider a simple problem on the antiplane motion of a nonlinearly elastic incompressible medium.