Estimations on Thermo-mechanical Dynamics of Vibration Elastomeric Isolators

This analysis deals with one of the basic problem category of vibratory systems, means the complete and complex characterization of elastic and viscous isolators behaviour under dynamic loads such as vibrations, seismic waves, shocks, etc. Usually, the dynamic characteristics of vibration isolators made by elastomeric materials are considered to have a constant shape for a certain practical case. It is ignored the thermal phenomenon inside the isolator block during the exploitation cycles and its influences on the proper characteristic parameters. This usual approximation leads to more or less significant differences between simulation and practical evolution of a vibration isolator subjected to the same dynamic load. Continuous changes of rigidity modulus and/or dissipative characteristics due to internal thermal effects imply aleatory evolution of the isolated system, unstable movements and resonance imminence danger. The partial results of this analysis dignify the linkage between thermal effects into the elastomeric isolator and its essential dynamic parameters. Using of these correlations frames the seismic shock and vibration protective devices designing and deployment areas. (© 2012 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Computation of material forces for the thermo-mechanical response of dynamically loaded elastomers

Elastomers are widely used in today's life. The material is characterized by large deformability upon failure, elastic and time dependent as well as non-time dependent effects which can be also a function of temperature. In addition, cyclically loaded components show heat build-up which is due to dissipation. As a result, the temperature evolution of an elastomeric component can strongly influence the material properties and durability characteristics. Representing best the real thermo-mechanical behaviour of an elastomeric component in its design process is one motivation for the use of sophisticated, coupled material approaches within numerical simulations. In order to assess the durability characteristics, for example regarding crack propagation, material forces (configurational forces) are one possible approach to be applied. In the present contribution, the implementation of material forces for a thermo-mechanically coupled material model including a continuum mechanical damage (CMD) approach is demonstrated in the context of the Finite Element Method (FEM). Special emphasis is given to material forces resulting from internal variables (viscosity and damage variables), temperature field evolution and dynamic loading. Using the example of an elastomeric component, for which the material model parameters have been previously identified by a uniaxial extension test, material forces are evaluated quantitatively. The influence of each contribution (internal variables, temperature field and dynamics) is illustrated and compared to the overall material force response. (© 2012 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Computation of the effective nonlinear material behaviour of composites using X-FEM - Analysis of the matrix material behaviour

For a consequent lightweight design the consideration of the nonlinear macroscopic material behaviour of composites, which is amongst others driven by damage and strain–rate effects on the mesoscale, is required. Therefore, the modelling approach using numerical homogenization techniques based on the simulation of representative volume elements which are modelled by the extended finite element method (X–FEM) is currently extended to nonlinear material behaviour. While the glass fibres are assumed to remain linear elastic, a viscoplastic constitutive law accounts for strain–rate dependence and inelastic deformation of the matrix material. This paper describes the process of finding suitable constitutive relations for the polymeric matrix material Polypropylene in the small–strain regime. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Thin film tribology of pharmaceutical elastomeric seals

The primary purpose of valve seals in inhalation and other drug dispensing devices is to inhibit leakage of highly volatile formulation from pressurised canisters. This requirement often conflicts with smooth operation of valves because of poor lubrication of seals. The repercussions of this can be variability in dispensed dose as well as loss of prime and gradual wear of seals. Although a good volume of literature is available for general purpose o-ring seals, the characteristic behaviour of those used in pharmaceutical devices deviate from this significantly. The paper studies tribology of such seals, subjected to global fitment and canister pressure deformation and localised conjunctional elastohydrodynamic pressures. It is shown that ideally smooth seals would operate under iso-viscous elastic (soft EHL) regime of lubrication. However, the predicted ultra-thin films are insufficient to ensure fluid film lubrication because of rough micro-scale nature of elastomeric seal surface and poor lubricity of the usual bio-compatible formulations. The paper also shows that siliconisation of elastomeric contacting surface only marginally improves its tribological performance.     

Global attractors for von Karman evolutions with a nonlinear boundary dissipation

Dynamic von Karman equations with a nonlinear boundary dissipation are considered. Questions related to long time behaviour, existence and structure of global attractors are studied. It is shown that a nonlinear boundary dissipation with a large damping parameter leads to an existence of global (compact) attractor for all weak (finite energy) solutions. This result has been known in the case of full interior dissipation, but it is new in the case when the boundary damping is the main dissipative mechanism in the system. In addition, we prove that fractal dimension of the attractor is finite. The proofs depend critically on the infinite speed of propagation associated with the von Karman model considered.     

Thermo-mechanical post-critical analysis of nonlocal orthotropic plates

A closed-form analytical solution for critical temperature and nonlinear post-critical temperature-deflection behaviour for nonlocal orthotropic plates subjected to thermal loading is presented. The long-range molecular interactions are represented by a nonlocal continuum framework, including orthotropy. The Von-Karman nonlinear strains are employed in deriving the governing equations. An approximate solution to the system of nonlinear partial differential equations is obtained using a perturbation type method. Series expansions up to second order of the associated field variables and the load parameter, dictating nonlinearity are employed. The behaviour in the post-critical regime is illustrated numerically by adopting an example of orthotropic Single Layer Graphene Sheet (SLGS), a widely acclaimed nano-structure, often modelled as plate. Post-critical temperature-deflection paths are presented with special emphasis on their post-critical reserve in strength and stiffness. Influence of aspect ratio and behaviour in higher modes are demonstrated. Implications of nonlocal interactions on the redistribution of in-plane forces are presented to show striking disparity with the classical plates. The obtained solution may serve as benchmark for verification of numerical solutions and may be useful in formulating simple design guidelines for plate type nanostructures liable to the thermal environment.     

Chaos in a generalized Lorenz system

A three-component dynamic system describing a quantum cavity electrodynamic device with a pumping and nonlinear dissipation is studied. Various dynamical regimes are investigated in terms of divergent trajectories approaches and fractal statistics. It has been shown that stable and unstable dissipative structures type of limit cycles can be formed in such system, with variation of pumping and nonlinear dissipation rates. Transitions to chaotic regime and the corresponding chaotic attractor are studied in detail.     

Multiscale Modelling of the Effective Viscoplastic Material Behaviour of Textile-Reinforced Polymers Using XFEM

In this contribution a modelling approach using numerical homogenisation techniques is applied to predict the effective nonlinear material behaviour of composites from simulations of a representative volume element (RVE). Numerical models of the heterogeneous material structure in the RVE are generated using the eXtended Finite Element Method (XFEM) which allows for a regular mesh. Suitable constitutive relations account for the material behaviour of the constituents. The influence of the nonlinear matrix material behaviour on the composite is studied in a physically nonlinear FE simulation of the local material behaviour in the RVE ­ effective stress-strain curves are computed and compared to experimental observations. The approach is currently augmented by a damage model for the fibre bundle. (© 2010 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Influence of the nonlinear matrix material behaviour on the effective properties of textile-reinforced thermoplastics

For a consistent lightweight design the consideration of the nonlinear macroscopic material behaviour of composites, which is amongst others driven by damage and strain-rate effects on the mesoscale, is required. Therefore, a modelling approach using numerical homogenization techniques is applied to predict the effective nonlinear material behaviour of the composite based on the finite element simulation of a representative volume element (RVE). In this RVE suitable constitutive relations account for the material behaviour of each constituents. While the reinforcing glass fibres are assumed to remain linear elastic, a viscoplastic constitutive law is applied to represent the strain-rate dependent, inelastic deformation of the matrix material. In order to analyse the influence of the nonlinear matrix material behaviour on the global mechanical response of the composite, effective stress-strain-curves are computed for different load cases and compared to experimental observations. (© 2009 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Numerical approach of temperature distribution in a free boundary model for polythermal ice sheets

Summary. A numerical method for solving the thermal subproblem appearing in the modelization of polythermal ice sheets is described. This thermal problem mainly involves three nonlinearities: a reaction term due to the viscous dissipation, a Signorini boundary condition associated to the geothermic flux and an enthalpy term issued from the two phase Stefan formulation of the polythermal regime. The stationary temperature is obtained as the limit of an evolutive problem which is discretized in time with an upwind characteristics scheme and in space with finite elements. The nonlinearities are solved either by Newton-Raphson method or by duality techniques applied to maximal monotone operators. The application of the algorithms provides the dimensionless temperature distribution approximation and allows to identify the cold and temperate ice regions. Received February 1, 1998 / Published online July 28, 1999     

Formulation and analysis of two energy-consistent methods for nonlinear elastodynamic frictional contact problems

Energy-conserving algorithms are necessary to solve nonlinear elastodynamic problems in order to recover long term time integration accuracy and stability. Furthermore, some physical phenomena (such as friction) can generate dissipation; then in this work, we present and analyse two energy-consistent algorithms for hyperelastodynamic frictional contact problems which are characterised by a conserving behaviour for frictionless impacts but also by an admissible frictional dissipation phenomenon. The first approach permits one to enforce, respectively, the Kuhn–Tucker and persistency conditions during each time step by combining an adapted continuation of the Newton method and a Lagrangean formulation. In addition the second method which is based on the work in [P. Hauret, P. Le Tallec, Energy-controlling time integration methods for nonlinear elastodynamics and low-velocity impact, Comput. Methods Appl. Mech. Eng. 195 (2006) 4890–4916] represents a specific penalisation of the unilateral contact conditions. Some numerical simulations are presented to underscore the conservative or dissipative behaviour of the proposed methods.     

A non-affine micro-sphere formulation for electroactive polymers

With the capability to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy, electroactive polymers (EAP) continuously find new and more advanced applications. Their ability to considerably change in size and shape together with low cost and weight makes them suitable for technological applications in robotics and biomimetics as actuators and sensors. A dielectric actuator, one of the most common applications of EAP, consists of a soft elastomer sandwiched between two electrodes. Common for elastomeric material is a viscous response and associated time dependence on both electric and mechanical behaviour. In this work, an electromechanically coupled micro-sphere formulation for nonlinear electroelasticity formerly proposed by the authors is further extended and includes non-affine deformation measurements as well as viscous effects. Also, a finite element simulation of a cylindrical specimen and calibration of mechanical parameters have been performed. (© 2014 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Thermo-mechanical modelling of cellular ceramic composites by a multiphase approach of porous media

Refractory materials have a wide range of applications in the steel-making industry for example as lining of furnaces, oxygen converters or for ladles. Often, magnesia carbon bricks (MgO-C) are used. These are made of a periclase phase (MgO) with carbon inclusions and pores. In their applications, refractories are subjected to thermal and mechanical loads causing damage. The thermo-mechanical behaviour of MgO-C composites and hence their thermal stability could be improved significantly using cellular MgO-C composites based on carbon foams [1, 2]. The present contribution focuses on the development of a fully coupled phenomenological thermo-mechanical continuum model based on the theory of porous media (TPM) with a new kinematic coupling of the displacement field of all constituents. (© 2015 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

剪切变形下非晶态高聚物的力学行为

基于非平衡态热力学理论，提出了一个适用于不可压材料的新的热粘弹性本构模型．该模型将橡胶弹性理论中的非高斯分子网络模型推广到计及粘性和热效应的情形．通过引入一组二阶张量形式的内变量，建议了一个新的Helmholtz自由能表达式，从而可以用来合理描述内变量的演化规律．根据以上模型，重点研究了热粘弹性材料在简单剪切变形下的力学行为，考察了由于分子链取向分布的变化而产生的“粘性耗散诱导”各向异性，讨论了应变率效应和由于粘性耗散而导致的热软化效应对剪应力的影响．理论预测结果与G’Sell等人的实验数据的定性比较表明了新的本构模型的有效性。     

Analysis of Elastomeric Composites Based on Fiber Systems. 4. 3D Composites

The elastic properties of 3D elastomeric composite materials under large deformations are considered. The investigation is based on the structural macroscopic theory of stiff and soft composites. The results of micro- and macromechanical analyses of composite materials with compressible and poorly compressible matrices are presented. The character of interaction between the fibers of various reinforcing systems in these matrices is revealed. The deformation characteristics of the composites in tension and shear are presented as functions of their orientation and loading parameters. The evolution of the configuration of a composite material with a compressible matrix during loading is traced.     

Thermal explosion in multiple phase media

Thermal explosion (or self-ignition) is one of the mainly interesting and dangerous phenomena in the combustion. Homogeneous combustible gas mixtures with highly exothermic reaction reveal only two main types of the behaviour: explosive and slow. Transient regime between these main types of behaviour is traditionally called the thermal explosion limit. Addition of another phase (solid or liquid) into combustible gas mixture can lead to essential changes in the dynamical situation. This paper deals with an interesting phenomenon of thermal explosion in two-phase media, so-called thermal explosion with delay. Existence and type of temperature delay before the self-ignition depends on mass and thermal properties of the second phase. The analysis is based on qualitative theory of singular perturbed systems and duck techniques.     

Heat transfer in MHD viscoelastic boundary layer flow over a stretching sheet with thermal radiation and non-uniform heat source/sink

An analysis has been carried out to study the flow and heat transfer characteristics for MHD viscoelastic boundary layer flow over an impermeable stretching sheet with space and temperature dependent internal heat generation/absorption (non-uniform heat source/sink), viscous dissipation, thermal radiation and magnetic field due to frictional heating. The flow is generated due to linear stretching of the sheet and influenced by uniform magnetic field, which is applied vertically in the flow region. The governing partial differential equations for the flow and heat transfer are transformed into ordinary differential equations by a suitable similarity transformation. The governing equations with the appropriate conditions are solved exactly. The effects of viscoelastic parameter and magnetic parameter on skin friction and the effects of viscous dissipation, non-uniform heat source/sink and the thermal radiation on heat transfer characteristics for two general cases namely, the prescribed surface temperature (PST) case and the prescribed wall heat flux (PHF) case are presented graphically and discussed. The numerical results for the wall temperature gradient (the Nusselt number) are presented in tables and are discussed.     

A distributed friction model for energy dissipation in carbon nanotube-based composites

Being lighter and stiffer than traditional metallic materials, nanocomposites have great potential to be used as structural damping materials for a variety of applications. Studies of friction damping in the nanocomposites are largely experimental, and there has been a lack of understanding of the damping mechanism in nanocomposites. A new friction contact model is developed to study the energy dissipation of carbon nanotube (CNT)-based composites under dynamic loading. The model incorporates the spatially-distributed nature of the CNT in order to capture the stick/slip phenomenon at the interface and treats the total slip force in a statistical sense. The effects of several parameters on energy dissipation are investigated, including the excitation’s amplitude, the interaction between CNT’s ends and matrix, the orientation, concentration, and diameter distribution of the CNTs inside the matrix. The results are in good agreement with experimental observations in the literature.