A new coupled model for alloy solidification

A new coupled model in the binary alloy solidification has been developed. The model is based on the cellular automaton (CA) technique to calculate the evolution of the interface governed by temperature, solute diffusion and Gibbs-Thomson effect. The diffusion equation of temperature with the release of latent heat on the solid/liquid (S/L) interface is valid in the entire domain. The temperature diffusion without the release of latent heat and solute diffusion are solved in the entire domain. In the interface cells, the     

Analysis of a two-phase field model for the solidification of an alloy

In this paper we present some theoretical results for a system of nonlinear partial differential equations that provide a phase field model for the solidification/melting of a metallic alloy. It is assumed that two different kinds of crystallization are possible. Consequently, the unknowns are the temperature τ and the phase field functions u and v. The time derivatives ut and vt appear in the equation for τ (the heat equation). On the other hand, the equations for u and v contain nonlinear terms where we find τ.     

A ternary phase bi-scale FE-model for diffusion-driven dendritic alloy solidification processes

It is of high interest to describe alloy solidification processes with numerical simulations. In order to predict the material behavior as precisely as possible, a ternary phase, bi-scale numerical model will be presented. This paper is based on a coupled thermo-mechanical, two-phase, two-scale finite element model developed by Moj et al. [2], where the theory of porous media (TPM) [1] has been used. Finite plasticity extended by secondary power-law creep is utilized to describe the solid phase and linear visco-elasticity with Darcy's law of permeability for the liquid phase, respectively. Here, the microscopic, temperature-driven phase transition approach is replaced by the diffusion-driven 0D model according to Wang and Beckermann [3]. The decisive material properties during solidification are captured by phenomenological formulations for dendritic growth and solute diffusion processes. A columnar as well as an equiaxial solidification example will be shown to demonstrate the principal performance of the presented model. (© 2016 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A front-tracking model to predict solidification macrostructures and columnar to equiaxed transitions in alloy castings

The solidified grain structure (macrostructure) of castings is predicted by process simulation using a newly extended front-tracking technique which models the growth of solid dendritic fronts through undercooled liquid during metallic alloy solidification. Such fronts are either constrained, as is the case with directed columnar growth from mould walls, or unconstrained, as is the case for multiple equiaxed growth from individual nucleating particles distributed throughout the liquid. Non-linear latent heat evolution is treated by incorporating the Scheil equation. Thermal conductivity changes with the solid fraction. A log-normal distribution of activation undercooling to initiate free growth from equiaxed nuclei is used, and the routines to deal with such growth followed by impingement of dendritic grains upon one another are verified by comparison with the results of analytical studies of simplified systems. The extensions to the model enable the predictions of equiaxed grain structure and, importantly, the columnar to equiaxed transition in inoculated alloy castings. The model is validated via comparison with experimental results. The front-tracking method is proposed as a suitable formulation for modelling alloy castings that solidify with a dendritic structure, either columnar, equiaxed, or both.     

Global solutions to a degenerate solutal phase-field model for the solidification of a binary alloy

We consider a degenerate solutal phase-field model for the solidification of a binary alloy. This model is devoted to the evolution of the phase-field variable together with the relative concentration of the alloy for which the equation may degenerate. The existence of global weak solutions is proved for the degenerate case with a loss of regularity for the concentration in comparison with the non-degenerate case.     

A coupled Maxwell integrodifferential model for magnetization processes

A mathematical model for instationary magnetization processes is considered, where the underlying spatial domain includes electrically conducting and nonconducting regions. The model accounts for the magnetic induction law that couples the given electrical voltage with the induced electrical current in the induction coil. By a theorem of Showalter on degenerate parabolic equations, theorems on existence, uniqueness, and regularity of the solution to the associated Maxwell integrodifferential system are proved.     

A priori error estimates of a finite-element method for an isothermal phase-field model related to the solidification process of a binary alloy

We introduce a piecewise linear finite-element scheme with semi-implicittime discretization for an evolutionary phase field system modellingthe isothermal solidification process of a binary alloy. Thissystem can be written in a vectorial form as a nonlinear parabolicsystem. The convergence of the scheme with error estimate isthen proved by introducing a generalized vectorial ellipticprojector.     

A new model for the analysis of reinforced concrete members with a coupled HdBNM/FEM

As a truly boundary-type meshless method, the hybrid boundary node method (HdBNM) does not require ‘boundary element mesh’, either for the purpose of interpolation of the solution variables or for the integration of ‘energy’. In this paper, the HdBNM is coupled with the finite element method (FEM) for predicting the mechanical behaviors of reinforced concrete. The steel bars are considered as body forces in the concrete. A bond model is presented to simulate the bond-slip between the concrete and steels using fictitious spring elements. The computational scale and cost for meshing can be further reduced. Numerical examples, in 2D and 3D cases, demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed approach.     

A thermodynamically consistent numerical method for a phase field model of solidification

A discretization is presented for the initial boundary value problem of solidification as described in the phase-field model developed by Penrose and Fife (1990) [1] and Wang et al. (1993) [2]. These are models that are completely derived from the laws of thermodynamics, and the algorithms that we propose are formulated to strictly preserve them. Hence, the discrete solutions obtained can be understood as discrete dynamical systems satisfying discrete versions of the first and second laws of thermodynamics. The proposed methods are based on a finite element discretization in space and a midpoint-type finite-difference discretization in time. By using so-called discrete gradient operators, the conservation/entropic character of the continuum model is inherited in the numerical solution, as well as its Lyapunov stability in pure solid/liquid equilibria.     

A coupled two-scale shell model for comb-like sandwich structures

In this work a coupled two-scale sandwich shell model is proposed, where 4-node quadrilaterals are employed both on the global and the local scale. The coupled global-local boundary value problem is derived by means of a variational formulation and ensuing linearization. A numerical simulation is carried out for linear elastic and elasto-plastic material behavior with small strains. The resulting coupled nonlinear boundary value problem is solved simultaneously in a Newton iteration with incremental load steps. Various types of sandwich models are investigated in the form of uni- and bidirectionally stiffened structures. For the unidirectionally stiffened beam, an analytical reference solution is present by means of classical beam theory. In addition, the numerical results of all coupled calculations are compared to full scale shell models, showing very good agreement while significantly reducing the size of occurring system matrices. (© 2015 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Existence of solutions to a phase‐field model for the isothermal solidification process of a binary alloy

We investigate the well‐posedness of a phase‐field model for the isothermal solidification of a binary alloy due to Warren–Boettinger [12]. Existence of weak solution as well as regularity and uniqueness results are established under Lipschitz and boundedness assumptions for the non‐linearities. A maximum principle holds that guarantees the existence of a solution under physical assumptions on the non‐linearities. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A digital model of coupled oscillators

A new model of coupled oscillators is proposed and investigated. All phase variables and parameters are integer-valued. The model is shown to exhibit two types of motions, those which involve periodic phase differences, and those which involve drift. Traditional dynamical concepts such as stability, bifurcation and chaos are examined for this class of integer-valued systems. Numerical results are presented for systems of two and three oscillators. This work has application in digital technology.     

A nonlinear model for ferromagnetic shape memory alloy actuators

Ferromagnetic shape memory alloys (FSMAs) such as Ni–Mn–Ga have attracted significant attention over the last few years. As actuators, these materials offer high energy density, large stroke, and high bandwidth. These properties make FSMAs potential candidates for a new generation of actuators. The preliminary dynamic characterization of Ni–Mn–Ga illustrates evident nonlinear behaviors including hysteresis, saturation, first cycle effect, and dead zone. In this paper, in order to precisely control the position of FSMA actuators a mathematical model is developed. The Ni–Mn–Ga actuator model consists of the dynamic model of the actuator, the kinematics of the actuator, the constitutive model of the FSMA material, the reorientation kinetics of the FSMA material, and the electromagnetic model of the actuator. Furthermore, a constitutive model is proposed to take into account the elastic deformation as well as the reorientation. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the dynamic behavior of the actuator.     

A new method for a generalized Hirota-Satsuma coupled KdV equation

In this paper, differential transform method (DTM), which is one of the approximate methods is implemented for solving the nonlinear Hirota-Satsuma coupled KdV partial differential equation. A variety of initial value system is considered, and the convergence of the method as applied to the Hirota-Satsuma coupled KdV equation is illustrated numerically. The obtained results are presented and only few terms of the expansion are required to obtain the approximate solution which is found to be accurate and efficient. Numerical examples are illustrated the pertinent features of the proposed algorithm.     

A gradient model for finite strain elastoplasticity coupled with damage

This paper describes the formulation of an implicit gradient damage model for finite strain elastoplasticity problems including strain softening. The strain softening behavior is modeled through a variant of Lemaitre's damage evolution law. The resulting constitutive equations are intimately coupled with the finite element formulation, in contrast with standard local material models. A 3D finite element including enhanced strains is used with this material model and coupling peculiarities are fully described. The proposed formulation results in an element which possesses spatial position variables, nonlocal damage variables and also enhanced strain variables. Emphasis is put on the exact consistent linearization of the arising discretized equations.

A numerical set of examples comparing the results of local and the gradient formulations relative to the mesh size influence is presented and some examples comparing results from other authors are also presented, illustrating the capabilities of the present proposal.     

A coupled phase-field model for ductile fracture in crystal plasticity

The objective of this work is to present a simplified, nonetheless representative first stage of a phenomenological model to predict the crack evolution of ductile fracture in single crystals. The proposed numerical approach is carried out by merging a conventional well- stablished elasto-plastic crystal plasticity model and a well-known phase-field model (PFM) modified to predict ductile fracture. A two-dymensional initial boundary-value problem of ductile fracture is introduced considering a single crystal Nickel-base superalloy material. the model is implemented into the finite element context subjected to a one-dimensional tension test (displacement-controlled). (© 2014 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A new model for record values

A new mathematical model of record values, named confirmed records, is constructed. It is based on the notion of kth record values, which, in turn, is a generalization of ordinary mathematical records and extremal order statistics. Confirmed records are considered for arbitrary k = 1, 2, ... under the assumption that the original random variables X ₁, X ₂, ... are independent and have the same continuous distribution function. For new record values, two representations are obtained in the most important special cases where the original variables have the exponential and the uniform distribution. For uniform and exponential confirmed records, means and variances are found.     

A new model for Boolean algebra

This new model for set theory is a graph. It is similar in many ways to a Venn diagram or Karnaugh map, but it does not pose as a rival, merely as an alternative model which may be useful in some contexts. Defined with reference to the duality of lines and points, the graph is a fitting framework in which to display the rich duality of Boolean algebra.

In the first four sections the graph is developed as a natural embodiment of Boolean theory and it is hoped that it will be seen, not as a more computational device but as helpful for demonstrating Boolean theory. The second half of the article is devoted to practical applications. The graph can be applied (and has been applied in school teaching) extensively in set theory, in logic, in probability, in genetics and in switching circuits, but space does not allow the elaboration of all these in detail. So this article concentrates mainly on one of these applications, switching circuits. The graph is used to simplify and minimize logic circuits with techniques different from Karnaugh's and in some instances more comprehensive.     

Modeling binary alloy solidification by a random projection method

This paper addresses the numerical modeling of the solidification of a binary alloy that obeys a liquidus–solidus phase diagram. In order to capture the moving melting front, we introduce a Lagrange projection scheme based on a random sampling projection. Using a finite volume formulation, we define accurate numerical fluxes for the temperature and concentration fields which guarantee the sharp treatment of the boundary conditions at the moving front, especially the jump of the concentration according to the liquidus–solidus diagram. We provide some numerical illustrations which assess the good behavior of the method: maximum principle, stability under CFL condition, numerical convergence toward self‐similar solutions, ability to handle two melting fronts.