Granular vortices: Identification,characterization and conditions for the localization of deformation

We relate the micromechanics of vortex evolution to that of force chain buckling and, on this basis, formulate the conditions for strain localization in a continuum model of dense granular media. Using the traditional bifurcation analysis of shear bands, we show that kinematic vortex fields are in fact solutions to the boundary value problem satisfying null boundary conditions. To establish an empirical basis for our study, we first develop a method to identify the location of the core and boundary of each vortex from a given displacement field in two dimensions. We then employ this method to characterize the residual deformation field (i.e., the deviation of particle motions from the continuum deformation) in a physical experiment and a discrete element simulation of dense granular samples submitted to biaxial compression. Vortices in the failure regime are essentially confined to the shear band. Primary vortices, the clear majority, rotate in the same direction as the shear band; secondary vortices, the so-called wakes, rotate in the opposite direction. Primary vortices align in spatial succession along the central axis of the band; wakes form next to the band boundaries, in between and beside two adjacent primary vortices. Force chain buckling, the governing mechanism for shear bands, is responsible for vortex formation in the failure regime. Vortex dynamics are consistent with stick-slip dynamics. From quiescent conditions of jamming or stick, vortical motions arise from force chain buckling and associated relative particle rotations and sliding; these in turn precipitate intermittent periods of unjamming or slip, evident in the attendant drops in stress ratio and bursts in both kinetic energy and local nonaffine deformation. A kinematic vortex field inside shear bands is proposed that is consistent with the equations of continuum mechanics and the underlying instability of force chain buckling: such a field is periodic with a repeating unit cell comprising a primary vortex at the center of the band, with two trailing wakes close next to the band boundaries.     

基于颗粒物质力学的铁粉末压制中摩擦特性对力链演化影响

结合颗粒物质力学理论,通过离散元法实现铁粉末压制过程模拟并通过压制方程进行验证,针对粉末体系中的力链演化问题,提出力链特征定量分析方式,进一步通过分析不同颗粒间摩擦系数、侧壁摩擦系数与颗粒运动状态转变的方式,探讨摩擦特性对力链量化特征的影响,从而建立摩擦行为与力链演化间的联系. 研究结果表明:随颗粒间摩擦系数增大,整体力链数目变少,力链方向系数、承载不均匀度及单位屈曲度均变大,而随侧壁摩擦系数增大,力链特征差异较小,则颗粒间摩擦系数较侧壁摩擦系数对力链特征演化具有更显著影响. 同时发现,颗粒接触状态的改变与力链特征演化间具有对应性. 研究成果将进一步拓展粉末压制中考虑摩擦行为及力链演化过程在内的粉体致密化行为理论.      

离散颗粒流动堆积行为离散元模拟及实验研究

工程应用中存在许多颗粒流动堆积问题.首先设计了一系列测量方法,通过大量的实验和统计分析,得到了颗粒的多种物理参数.并以工程中高炉炉顶称量料罐为背景,采用离散元方法模拟不同物理条件下离散颗粒的流动堆积行为,得出料罐内颗粒系统中颗粒之间力的分布不均匀,而且强力链分布主要与料罐的左下壁方向平行.同时,设计并制作了具有多参数调节的离散颗粒料罐实验模型,进行了相应的物理实验,实测结果与数值模拟吻合良好.     

离散元法铁粉末压制中粒径分布对力链演化机制的影响

为阐明粒径分布对铁粉压制中体系内部细观力学行为的影响, 基于离散元理论, 通过改变铁粉颗粒粒径分布建立压制模型, 结合力链提取方法, 通过对力链空间分布、力链数目、力链长度和力链方向性的分析, 探究粒径分布对力链演化的影响机理. 研究结果表明: 不同粒径分布的粉体压制时形成的力链空间分布具有差异, 粒径分布范围越小, 形成的力链分布越集中, 反之, 粒径分布范围越大, 形成的力链分布越松散且均匀; 在粉末压制时, 粒径分布对力链数目也有影响, 具体表现为随着粉体的粒径分布范围变大, 力链总数逐渐减少; 粉体的粒径分布对颗粒形成短力链的数目起着显著影响, 而对力链长度的影响较为有限; 随着粒径分布范围的增大, 力链的方向由均匀分布逐渐集中在特定角度方向, 表现出一定各向异性, 形成的交叉力链网络结构有利于提高粉体致密化程度. 本文为从粉体粒径分布影响层面拓展粉末压制细观力学理论提供基础, 亦为进一步结合粉体粒径分布及体系内力链演变过程改善粉末致密化行为提供指导.      

Prediction of buckling characteristics of carbon nanotubes

In this paper, to investigate the buckling characteristics of carbon nanotubes, an equivalent beam model is first constructed. The molecular mechanics potentials in a C–C covalent bond are transformed into the form of equivalent strain energy stored in a three dimensional (3D) virtual beam element connecting two carbon atoms. Then, the equivalent stiffness parameters of the beam element can be estimated from the force field constants of the molecular mechanics theory. To evaluate the buckling loads of multi-walled carbon nanotubes, the effects of van-der Waals forces are further modeled using a newly proposed rod element. Then, the buckling characteristics of nanotubes can be easily obtained using a 3D beam and rod model of the traditional finite element method (FEM). The results of this numerical model are in good agreement with some previous results, such as those obtained from molecular dynamics computations. This method, designated as molecular structural mechanics approach, is thus proved to be an efficient means to predict the buckling characteristics of carbon nanotubes. Moreover, in the case of nanotubes with large length/diameter, the validity of Euler’s beam buckling theory and a shell model with the proper material properties defined from the results of present 3D FEM beam model is investigated to reduce the computational cost. The results of these simple theoretical models are found to agree well with the existing experimental results.     

Plate/shell topological optimization subjected to linear buckling constraints by adopting composite exponential filtering function

In this paper, a model of topology optimization with linear buckling constraints is established based on an independent and continuous mapping method to minimize the plate/shell structure weight. A composite exponential function (CEF) is selected as filtering functions for element weight, the element stiffness matrix and the element geomet-ric stiffness matrix, which recognize the design variables, and to implement the changing process of design variables from“discrete”to“continuous”and back to“discrete”. The buck-ling constraints are approximated as explicit formulations based on the Taylor expansion and the filtering function. The optimization model is transformed to dual programming and solved by the dual sequence quadratic programming algo-rithm. Finally, three numerical examples with power function and CEF as filter function are analyzed and discussed to demonstrate the feasibility and efficiency of the proposed method.     

颗粒流动力学及其离散模型评述

颗粒流是由众多颗粒组成的具有内在相互作用的非经典介质流动. 自然界常见颗粒流都是密集流, 颗粒间接触形成力链, 诸多力链相互交接构成支撑整个颗粒流重量和外载荷的网络, 其局部构型及强度在外载荷下演化, 是颗粒流摩擦特性和接触应力的来源.本文介绍球形颗粒间无粘连作用时的Hertz法向接触理论和Mindlin-Deresiewicz切向接触理论. Campbell依据是否生成较为稳定的力链把颗粒流分为弹性流和惯性流两大类, 其中弹性-准静态流和惯性-碰撞流分别对应准静态流和快速流, 作为两种极端流动情况通常处理成连续体, 分别采用摩擦塑性模型和动理论予以描述, 但是表征接触力链的颗粒弹性参数并不出现这两个模型和理论框架中, 如何进一步考虑颗粒弹性参数将非常困难. 目前离散动力学方法逐渐成为复现其复杂颗粒流动现象、提取实验不可能获得的内部流动信息进而综合起来探索颗粒流问题的一种有效工具, 其真实性强于连续介质理论的描述. 软球模型对颗粒间接触力简化处理, 忽略了切向接触力对法向接触力及其加载历史的依赖, 带来了法向和切向刚度系数如何标度等更艰难的物理问题, 但由于计算强度小而广泛应用于工程问题中. 硬球模型不考虑颗粒接触变形, 因而不能描述颗粒流内在接触应变等物理机理, 仅适用于快速颗粒流, 这不仅仅是由于两体碰撞的限制. 因此基于颗粒接触力学的离散颗粒动力学模型是崭新的模型,适用于准静态流到快速流整个颗粒流态的模拟, 可以细致考虑接触形变及接触力的细节,建立更为合理的颗粒流本构关系, 进而有力的促进颗粒流这一非经典介质流动的研究.      

Non-linear buckling analysis of inclined circular cylinder-in-cylinder by the discrete singular convolution

The lateral buckling and helical buckling problem of a circular cylinder constrained by an inclined circular cylinder under a compressive force, torsion, and its own weight is complicated and difficult to obtain an exact analytical solution. Thus, the non-linear differential equation is solved incrementally using the discrete singular convolution (DSC) algorithm together with the Newton–Raphson method. Detailed formulations are worked out. A simple way to numerically simulate the helical buckling is proposed and solution procedures are given. Four examples with various inclined angles, weights per unit length of the inner cylinder, axial applied loads, and boundary conditions are investigated. To verify the formulations and solution procedures, comparisons are firstly made with data obtained using the finite element method. It is verified that under certain circumstance, only lateral or helical buckling alone will occur. On some other circumstance, both lateral buckling and helical buckling may occur and the critical helical buckling loads are higher than the critical lateral buckling loads if frictions are not considered. Some conclusions are made based on the results presented herein.     

U型波纹管及相关结构环向屈曲的有限元分析(Ⅰ)--基本方程及环板的屈曲

U型波纹管是现代管道系统中最常见的一种位移补偿器 ,它由环板和具有正、负Gauss曲率的半圆环壳组成 ,在管道所传输的介质的压力作用下会发生屈曲。其中环向屈曲最为复杂 ,精确的理论分析非常困难 ,有限元分析也不多见。作者在分析前人工作的基础上 ,以圆环壳段为单元 (特定的旋转壳段单元 ,能自动退化成环板单元 ) ,限于弹性范围和线性化特征值问题 ,对介质压力作用下U型波纹管及其相关结构 (圆环板、圆环壳、半圆环壳 )的环向屈曲问题进行了分析。考虑了结构屈曲前的弯曲 ,计及压力的二次势能 ,导出的应力刚度矩阵和载荷刚度矩阵是非对称的。全部工作分为三部分 :(Ⅰ )基本方程 ,环板的屈曲 ;(Ⅱ )圆环壳、半圆环壳的屈曲 ;(Ⅲ )波纹管平面失稳的机理。本文为第一部分 ,除推导公式外 ,对不同边界和不同内外径之比的环板在径向均匀压力作用下的环向屈曲进行了计算 (轴对称的径向屈曲作为特例得到 ) ,给出了前屈曲应力分布、临界载荷及相应的屈曲模态 ,并将临界压力的值与前人基于vonK偄ｒｍ偄ｎ大挠度板的精确解进行了比较 ,吻合良好。     

On the degradation of granular materials due to internal erosion

A new state-based elasto-plastic constitutive relationship along with the discrete element model is established to estimate the degradation of granular materials due to internal erosion.Four essential effects of internal erosion such as the force network damage and relaxation are proposed and then incorporated into the constitutive relationship to formulate internal erosion impacts on the mechanical behavior of granular materials.Most manifestations in the degradation of granular materials,such as reduction of peak strength and dilatancy are predicted by the modified constitutive relationship in good agreement with the discrete element method(DEM)simulation.In particular,the sudden reduction of stress for conspicuous mass erosion in a high stress state is captured by force network damage and the relaxation mechanism.It is concluded that the new modified constitutive relationship is a potential theory to describe the degradation of granular materials due to internal erosion and would be very useful,for instance,in the prediction and assessment of piping disaster risk during the flood season.     

Simplified prediction of creep buckling of cylinders under external pressure. Part 1: finite element validation

In this paper, a simplified method is proposed for the prediction of creep buckling. This simplified approach relies upon a model which yields an analytical evaluation of creep buckling times for cylinders under external pressure. This model is fully developed herein, and a ‘closed-form’ solution is given for the evaluation of the critical creep collapse time. The collapse mechanism is assumed to be due to the formation of a plastic hinge which induces an unstable post-buckling of the ring. The analytical ‘closed-form’ creep collapse time is then compared to finite element buckling predictions using the quasi-axisymmetric COMU shell element in the INCA code of the CASTEM system. The model is then applied to four different cylinders under external pressure and compared to finite element predictions; the cylinders' radius-to-thickness ratio varies between 50 and 550. It is shown that the proposed model performs well for this type of prediction: in all cases, the times to failure predicted by the model are lower than the finite element predictions. These predictions prove to be rather conservative for thicker cylinders. It is shown that creep buckling is a very dangerous failure mode. If the shape of the structure is observed as a function of time, nothing seems to happen during a very long ‘incubation’ period; when the initial imperfection reaches some critical value, buckling then suddenly occurs. This phenomenon is shown by the two methods of evaluation presented herein.     

An improved discrete Kirchhoff triangular element for bending,vibration and buckling analyses

In this paper, an improved triangular discrete Kirchhoff thin plate element IMDKT is introduced for bending, vibration and buckling analysis. In the case of bending analysis, new boundary displacements coupled with a correction factor are introduced in the proposed element for improving the accuracy. As for vibration and buckling analyses, the combined mass and combined geometric stiffness matrices are employed to improve the calculations of natural frequency and buckling load, respectively. Several numerical examples have been used to illustrate the versatility and potential accuracy of the present methods. A comparison between the proposed and some existing elements shows that the former is superior to the latter for thin plate bending, vibration and buckling analyses.     

密度梯度柱壳链的弹性波传播特性研究

均匀圆柱壳链可以调控弹性波传播,引入密度梯度有望进一步提高波形调控能力.通过建立密度梯度柱壳链的细观有限元模型和连续介质模型,研究了密度梯度柱壳链的弹性波传播特性.通过将密度梯度柱壳链等效为变密度连续介质弹性杆,建立了其在应力脉冲作用下的控制方程.运用拉普拉斯积分变换方法,考虑杆中密度遵循线性分布,获得了方程的解析解.以三角形应力脉冲作用为例,通过与细观有限元模拟结果比较,发现解析解可以较好地预测梯度柱壳链中载荷的演化趋势.正梯度链中载荷峰值随着波传播逐渐增大,负梯度链中载荷峰值随着波传播逐渐减小.正梯度链支撑端峰值载荷高于均匀链,负梯度链支撑端峰值载荷低于均匀链,这表明相较于均匀柱壳链,密度梯度柱壳链可以在更大范围内对波形进行调控.线性密度梯度参数对梯度柱壳链的波形调控能力影响较大,梯度参数越小,传递到支撑端的峰值载荷越小;相反,梯度参数越大,支撑端的峰值载荷越大.建立的理论模型及其解析解为研究梯度柱壳链中应力波传播规律及揭示载荷调控机理提供了理论基础.     

Structural stability and jamming of self-organized cluster conformations in dense granular materials

We examine emergent, self-organized particle cluster conformations in quasistatically deforming dense granular materials from the perspective of structural stability. A structural mechanics approach is employed, first, to devise a new stability measure for such conformations in equilibrium and, second, to use this measure to explore the evolving stability of jammed states of specific cluster conformations, i.e. particles forming force chains and minimal contact cycles. Knowledge gained on (a) the spatial and temporal evolution of stability of individual jammed conformations and (b) their relative stability levels, offer valuable clues on the rheology and, in particular, self-assembly of granular materials. This study is undertaken using data from assemblies of nonuniformly sized circular particles undergoing 2D deformation in two biaxial compression tests: a discrete element simulation of monotonic loading under constant confining pressure, and cyclic loading of a photoelastic disk assembly under constant volume. Our results suggest that the process of self-assembly in these systems is realized at multiple length scales, and that jammed force chains and minimal cycles form the basic building blocks of this process. In particular, 3-cycles are stabilizing agents that act as granular trusses to the load-bearing force chain columns. This co-evolutionary synergy between force chains and 3-cycles proved common to the different materials under different loading conditions. Indeed, the remarkable similarities in the evolution of stability, prevalence and persistence of minimal cycles and force chains in these systems suggest that these structures and their co-evolution together form a generic feature of dense granular systems under quasistatic loading.     

Evolution of mesoscopic granular clusters in comminution systems: a structural mechanics model of grain breakage and force chain buckling

A major scientific challenge in establishing a micromechanics theory for complex materials is the characterisation and modelling of emergent mesoscopic phenomena. This study demonstrates the key elements of a structural mechanics approach to the modelling of mesoscopic dissipative phenomena in comminution systems where grain breakage and force chain buckling coexist. Given the many degrees of freedom in these systems, there are multitude of possible configurations and configurational transitions accessible even for a small particle cluster (e.g. a particle and its immediate neighbours). Here, we develop a model of the evolution of a 6-particle cluster undergoing breakage and force chain buckling, in sequence. The analysis lays bare the intricate connections between the contact topology, the relative kinematics arising from the interactions of particles at the bonded versus non-bonded contacts, and the collective dynamics of these interactions as the cluster is monotonically compressed under confinement. The stress-displacement response profiles at the cluster scale exhibit qualitatively similar properties to those seen in macroscopic assemblies under confined compression. A parametric analysis is undertaken to explore the effects of grain-scale resistances to breakage and buckling with respect to the overall force-displacement behaviour of the granular cluster. The study casts light on open problems for future research into the micromechanics of emergent cluster behaviour germane to comminution systems.     

From wrinkling to global buckling of a ring on a curved substrate

We present a combined analytical approach and numerical study on the stability of a ring bound to an annular elastic substrate, which contains a circular cavity. The system is loaded by depressurizing the inner cavity. The ring is modeled as an Euler–Bernoulli beam and its equilibrium equations are derived from the mechanical energy which takes into account both stretching and bending contributions. The curvature of the substrate is considered explicitly to model the work done by its reaction force on the ring. We distinguish two different instabilities: periodic wrinkling of the ring or global buckling of the structure. Our model provides an expression for the critical pressure, as well as a phase diagram that rationalizes the transition between instability modes. Towards assessing the role of curvature, we compare our results for the critical stress and the wrinkling wavelength to their planar counterparts. We show that the critical stress is insensitive to the curvature of the substrate, while the wavelength is only affected due to the permissible discrete values of the azimuthal wavenumber imposed by the geometry of the problem. Throughout, we contrast our analytical predictions against finite element simulations.     

Buckling of yeast modeled as viscoelastic shells with transverse shearing

Yeast cells can be regarded as micron-sized and liquid-filled cylindrical shells. Owing to the rigid cell walls, yeast cells can bear compressive forces produced during the biotechnological process chain. However, when the compressive forces applied on the yeast go beyond a critical value, mechanical buckling will occur. Since the buckling of the yeast can change the networks in its cellular control, the experimental research of the buckling of the yeast has received considerable attention recently. In this paper, we apply a viscoelastic shell model to study the buckling of the yeast. Meanwhile, the turgor pressure in the yeast due to the internal liquid is taken into account as well. The governing equations are based on the first-order shear deformation theory. The critical axial compressive force in the phase space is obtained by the Laplace transformation, and the Bellman numerical inversion method is then applied to the analytical result to obtain the corresponding numerical results in the physical phase. The concepts of instantaneous critical buckling force, durable critical buckling force, and delay buckling are set up in this paper. And the effects of the transverse shear deformation and the turgor pressure on the buckling phenomena are also given. The numerical results show that the transverse shearing effect will decrease the instantaneous critical buckling force and the durable critical buckling force, while the turgor pressure will increase both of them.     

In-plane buckling of prismatic funicular arches with shear deformations

The in-plane buckling behavior of funicular arches is investigated numerically in this paper. A finite strain Timoshenko beam-type formulation that incorporates shear deformations is developed for generic funicular arches. The elastic constitutive relationships for the internal beam actions are based on a hyperelastic constitutive model, and the funicular arch equilibrium equations are derived. The problems of a submerged arch under hydrostatic pressure, a parabolic arch under gravity load and a catenary arch loaded by overburden are investigated. Buckling solutions are derived for the parabolic and catenary arch. Subsequent investigation addresses the effects of axial deformation prior to buckling and shear deformation during buckling. An approximate buckling solution is then obtained based on the maximum axial force in the arch. The obtained buckling solutions are compared with the numerical solutions of Dinnik (Stability of arches, 1946) [1] and the finite element package ANSYS. The effects of shear deformation are also evaluated.     

Small-scale effect on torsional buckling of multi-walled carbon nanotubes

The small-scale effect on the torsional buckling of multi-walled carbon nanotubes coupled with temperature change is investigated in this paper. A nonlocal multiple-shell model for the multi-walled carbon nanotubes surrounded an elastic medium under torsional and thermal loads is established, and then general solutions are obtained from the governing equations. The influence of the nonlocal effect on critical shear force and change in temperature is investigated. It is demonstrated that the critical shear force could be overestimated by the classical continuum theory and the nonlocal effect on critical buckling force decreases as the change in temperature increases at room or low temperature but increases as the change in temperature increases at higher temperature. Meanwhile, the effect of small size-scale is dependent on the buckling mode under different thermal environments. It is also shown that the innermost radius and the number of layer can affect the small-scale effect on critical change in temperature and buckling shear force. When the ratio of tube length and outmost radius are given, the critical shear force in each layer decreases and the nonlocal effect on the critical shear force becomes weaker as the innermost radius and the layer number increase.     

Trafficability analysis of lunar mare terrain by means of the discrete element method for wheeled rover locomotion

An irregularly shaped particulate system for simulation of lunar regolith is developed using discrete element modeling based on the fractal characteristics, particle shape, and size distribution of returned Apollo-14 samples. The model parameters are determined by dimensional analysis and biaxial test simulation with an improved boundary condition. Under terrestrial conditions, the trafficability of lunar mare terrain is estimated in terms of wheel-terrain interaction by experiment and simulation in order to validate the applicability of the wheel-terrain model employed here. The results show that the discrete element method combined with the wheel-terrain model is sufficiently accurate for mare terrain trafficability analysis without consideration of lunar environmental effects. To predict the trafficability of in situ lunar mare terrain, the non-contact forces attributed to the lunar surface environment are discussed and the initial mechanical model of discrete elements is modified by introduction of lunar gravitational force as well as electrostatic force. In the modified model, wheel-terrain interaction is analyzed under the same travel conditions as that of the experiment. The result shows the trafficability of the in situ lunar mare terrain is worse than that obtained by experiment and simulation with the initial model according to the value of horizontal force at any slip ratio. However, the wheel requires less drive torque on the moon than that on the earth. An explanation for these phenomena may be that lunar subsurface regolith particles are arranged in a looser manner under local environmental effects that effectively decrease the bearing and shearing strength of regolith.