A geometrically nonlinear (3,2) reduced degree-of-freedom unified zigzag laminated beam element for large deformation analysis

A geometrically nonlinear (3,2) unified zigzag beam element is developed with a reduced number of degree-of-freedom for the large deformation analysis. The main merit of the beam element model is the Kirchhoff and Cauchy shear stress solution for large deformation and large strain analysis is more accurate. The geometrically nonlinearity is considered in the calculation of the zigzag coefficients. Thus, the results of shear Cauchy stress are matching well with solid element analysis in case of the beam with aspect ratio greater than 20 under large deformation. The zigzag coefficients are derived explicitly. The Green strain and the second Piola Kirchhoff stress are used. The second Piola Kirchhoff shear stress is continuous at the interface between adjacent layers priori. The bottom surface second Piola Kirchhoff shear stress condition is used to determine the zigzag coefficient and the top surface second Piola Kirchhoff shear stress condition is used to reduce one degree-of-freedom. The nonlinear finite element equations are derived. In the numerical tests, several benchmark problems with large deformation are solved to verify the accuracy. It is observed that the proposed beam has accurate solution for beam with aspect ratio greater than 20. The second Piola Kirchhoff and Cauchy shear stress accuracy is also good. A convergence study is also presented.     

Transverse shear stress relaxed zigzag theory for cylindrical bending of laminated composite and piezoelectric panels

Cylindrical bending is studied by developing a new zigzag theory which relaxes the zero transverse shear stress condition on the outer surfaces of the panels subjected to transversely applied electromechanical load. The mechanical portion of the transverse displacement approximation in this new shear deformation theory is considered constant as well as non-constant through the development of three models. Unlike the existing zigzag theories which enforce the condition of vanishing transverse shear stresses on outer surfaces of laminates, these new theories relax it. Though the number of primary mechanical variables get increased by four or five or six, the computational cost does not increase appreciably. Approximating the electric potential in each piezoelectric layer as sublayerswise linear, variational principle is applied in deriving equilibrium equations and boundary conditions. Accuracy of the new base model as well as two augmented models is assessed by comparing with elasticity and piezoelasticity solutions. While it is observed that the new base model is highly accurate than the existing zigzag model, the two augmented models do not aid in its further improvement. This is attributed to the fact that layerwise consideration of the transverse displacement, not global consideration, is needed to correctly establish the effect of transverse normal deformation in the laminated composite and smart panel.     

A unified theory of R-continuity

We introduce and investigate R-M-continuous functions defined between sets satisfying some minimal conditions. The functions enable us to formulate a unified theory of modifications of R-continuity [22]: R-irresoluteness [6], R-preirresoluteness [7].      

A homogeneous limit methodology and refinements of computationally efficient zigzag theory for homogeneous,laminated composite,and sandwich plates

The Refined Zigzag Theory (RZT) for homogeneous, laminated composite, and sandwich plates is revisited to offer a fresh insight into its fundamental assumptions and practical possibilities. The theory is introduced from a multiscale formalism starting with the inplane displacement field expressed as a superposition of coarse and fine contributions. The coarse displacement field is that of first‐order shear‐deformation theory, whereas the fine displacement field has a piecewise‐linear zigzag distribution through the thickness. The resulting kinematic field provides a more realistic representation of the deformation states of transverse‐shear‐flexible plates than other similar theories. The condition of limiting homogeneity of transverse‐shear properties is proposed and yields four distinct variants of zigzag functions. Analytic solutions for highly heterogeneous sandwich plates undergoing elastostatic deformations are used to identify the best‐performing zigzag functions. Unlike previously used methods, which often result in anomalous conditions and nonphysical solutions, the present theory does not rely on transverse‐shear‐stress equilibrium constraints. For all material systems, there are no requirements for use of transverse‐shear correction factors to yield accurate results. To model homogeneous plates with the full power of zigzag kinematics, infinitesimally small perturbations in the transverse shear properties are derived, thus enabling highly accurate predictions of homogeneous‐plate behavior without the use of shear correction factors. The RZT predictive capabilities to model highly heterogeneous sandwich plates are critically assessed, demonstrating its superior efficiency, accuracy, and a wide range of applicability. This theory, which is derived from the virtual work principle, is well‐suited for developing computationally efficient, C⁰ a continuous function of (x₁,x₂) coordinates whose first‐order derivatives are discontinuous along finite element interfaces and is thus appropriate for the analysis and design of high‐performance load‐bearing aerospace structures. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 2010     

A unified theory of weak contra-continuity

We introduce a new notion called weakly contra-m-continuous functions as functions from a set satisfying some minimal conditions into a topological space. We obtain some characterizations and several properties of such functions. The functions enable us to formulate a unified theory of several modifications of weak contra-continuity due to Baker [9].     

Nonlinear dynamics and dynamic instability of smart structural cross-ply laminated cantilever plates with MFC layer using zigzag theory

In this paper, a novel dynamic model for smart structural systems cross-ply laminated cantilever plate with smart material Macro fiber composites (MFC) layer is presented by using zigzag function theory. The nonlinear dynamic response and dynamic instability of the smart structural systems are studied for the first time. The plate is subjected to the uniformed static and in-plane harmonic excitation conjunction with electrically loaded under different electric boundary conditions. The partial layer-wise theory which the first shear deformation theory is expanded by introducing the zigzag function in the in-plane displacement components is adopted. The carbon fiber reinforced composite material T800/M21and macro fiber composites (MFC-d31) M8528-P3 are implemented. By Lagrangian equation and Chebyshev polynomial, the equations of motion are derived for the laminated plate. The validation and convergence are studied by comparing results with literatures. The dynamic instability regions and the critical buckling load characteristics can be obtained for different layer sequences, geometric dimensions and also the electromechanical effects are considered. Nonlinear dynamic responses of the laminated plate are studied by using numerical calculation. It can be seen that in certain state the plate will loses stability and the periodic, multiple period as well as chaotic motions of the plate are found.     

A unified theory of weak continuity for functions

In this paper we introduce a new notion of weaklyM-continuous functions as functions from a set satisfying some minimal conditions into a set satisfying some minimal conditions. We obtain some characterizations and several properties of such functions. This function leads to the formulation of a unified theory of weak continuity [27], almosts-continuity [43],p(θ)-continuity [10] andp-continuity [59].     

A unified theory for homotopy principles for multimaps

In this article, we present a definition of d-essential and d–L-essential maps in completely regular topological spaces and we establish a homotopy property for both d-essential and d–L-essential maps. Also using the notion of extendability, we present new continuation theorems.     

A unified theory for classical triple trigonometric series

An existence and uniqueness theory is established for the classical triple trigonometric series having the kernels {cos(n-i)x}, {sinnx}, or {cosnx} when the right hand sides of the equations are given functions of bounded variation. It is shown that these series do not, in general, converge in the ordinary sense on any set of positive measure but do converge at all points in the sense of Abel-Poisson The key to the proof is use of a generalized reflection principle to establish uniqueness and thus prove the equivalence of different representations of the solution. Best possible asymptotic estimates for growth and uniqueness of the coefficients are derived     

A unified theory of generalized closed sets in weak structures

A new kind of sets called generalized w-closed (briefly gw-closed) sets is introduced and studied in a topological space by using the concept of weak structures introduced by á.?Császár in?[6]. The class of all gw-closed sets is strictly larger than the class of all w-closed sets. Furthermore, g-closed sets (in the sense of N.?Levine?[17]) is a special type of gw-closed sets in a topological space. Some of their properties are investigated. Finally, some characterizations of w-regular and w-normal spaces have been given.     

Lagrangian formulation of domain decomposition methods: A unified theory

Domain decomposition methods based on one Lagrange multiplier have been shown to be very efficient for solving ill-conditioned problems in parallel. Several variants of these methods have been developed in the last ten years. These variants are based on an augmented Lagrangian formulation involving one or two Lagrange multipliers and on mixed type interface conditions between the sub-domains. In this paper, the Lagrangian formulations of some of these domain decomposition methods are presented both from a continuous and a discrete point of view.     

Quadruple systems containing AG(3,2)

A quadruple system of order v, denoted QS(v) is an ordered pair (X, Q) where X is a set of cardinality v and Q is a set of 4-subsets of X called blocks, with the property that every 3-subset of X is contained in a unique block. The points and planes of the affine geometry AG(3, 2) form a QS(8). We prove that a QS(v) containing a proper subsystem isomorphic to AG(3, 2) exists if and only if v?16 and v≡2 or 4 (mod 6).