Conditions for Strong Ellipticity of Anisotropic Elastic Materials

We consider the problem of finding the transversely isotropic elasticity tensor closest to a given elasticity tensor with respect to the Frobenius norm. A similar problem was considered by other authors and solved analytically assuming a fixed orientation of the natural coordinate system of the transversely isotropic tensor. In this paper we formulate a method for finding the optimal orientation of the coordinate system—the one that produces the shortest distance. The optimization problem reduces to finding the absolute maximum of a homogeneous eighth-degree polynomial on a two-dimensional sphere. This formulation allows us a convenient visualization of local extrema, and enables us to find the closest transversely isotropic tensor numerically.      

Strong Uniqueness Theorems and the Phragmèn–Lindelöf Principle in Nonhomogeneous Elastostatics

We find sharp uniqueness classes for the contact problem of nonhomogeneous linear elastostatics in exterior domains. Moreover, we prove that a solution of the displacement problem in a cone of aperture φ enjoys the asymptotic properties expressed by the classical Phragmèn–Lindelöf principle; in particular, uniqueness holds in the class of all functions that are bounded at large distance by r ^{1/c φ} for some positive c. Then, by means of a counter–example we observe that the same properties are no longer satisfied by the solutions of the contact problem.     

The minimum plane path for movable end-points and the nonsimultaneous variations

The paper deals with the problem of existence of the minimum path for movable end-points in the one-of-degree-of-freedom mechanical system. The criteria for obtaining of extremum path for movable end-points is extended with new criteria for minimum. The nonsimultaneous variational calculus is applied. It is assumed that the actual path belongs to sub-set C ² of admissible curves. The series expansion up to the second order small values is applied and the first and the second variation of functional are calculated. It is proved that the necessary and sufficient conditions for the minimum path are that the first order variation is zero and the second order variation is positive. The second conditions are based on the arbitrary solution of Riccati’s differential equation and also the known Legender’s and Jacobi criteria for minimum for the case of fixed end-points. Two examples are solved: the problem of the minimal length of a curve joining two fixed boundary curves and problem of motion of a particle between variable boundaries for which the Hamilton action integral is minimal.     

Physically-Based Approach to the Mechanics of Strong Non-Local Linear Elasticity Theory

In this paper the physically-based approach to non-local elasticity theory is introduced. It is formulated by reverting the continuum to an ensemble of interacting volume elements. Interactions between adjacent elements are classical contact forces while long-range interactions between non-adjacent elements are modelled as distance-decaying central body forces. The latter are proportional to the relative displacements rather than to the strain field as in the Eringen model and subsequent developments. At the limit the displacement field is found to be governed by an integro-differential equation, solved by a simple discretization procedure suggested by the underlying mechanical model itself, with corresponding static boundary conditions enforced in a quite simple form. It is then shown that the constitutive law of the proposed model coalesces with the Eringen constitutive law for an unbounded domain under suitable assumptions, whereas it remains substantially different for a bounded domain. Thermodynamic consistency of the model also has been investigated in detail and some numerical applications are presented for different parameters and different functional forms for the decay of the long range forces. For simplicity, the problem is formulated for a 1D continuum while the general formulation for a 3D elastic solid has been reported in the appendix.     

The Navier–Stokes Equations Under a Unilateral Boundary Condition of Signorini’s Type

We propose a new outflow boundary condition, a unilateral condition of Signorini’s type, for the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations. The condition is a generalization of the standard free-traction condition. Its variational formulation is given by a variational inequality. We also consider a penalty approximation, a kind of the Robin condition, to deduce a suitable formulation for numerical computations. Under those conditions, we can obtain energy inequalities that are key features for numerical computations. The main contribution of this paper is to establish the well-posedness of the Navier–Stokes equations under those boundary conditions. Particularly, we prove the unique existence of strong solutions of Ladyzhenskaya’s class using the standard Galerkin’s method. For the proof of the existence of pressures, however, we offer a new method of analysis.     

Implicit and explicit integration in the solution of the absolute nodal coordinate differential/algebraic equations

This investigation is concerned with the use of an implicit integration method with adjustable numerical damping properties in the simulation of flexible multibody systems. The flexible bodies in the system are modeled using the finite element absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF), which can be used in the simulation of large deformations and rotations of flexible bodies. This formulation, when used with the general continuum mechanics theory, leads to displacement modes, such as Poisson modes, that couple the cross section deformations, and bending and extension of structural elements such as beams. While these modes can be significant in the case of large deformations, and they have no significant effect on the CPU time for very flexible bodies; in the case of thin and stiff structures, the ANCF coupled deformation modes can be associated with very high frequencies that can be a source of numerical problems when explicit integration methods are used. The implicit integration method used in this investigation is the Hilber–Hughes–Taylor method applied in the context of Index 3 differential-algebraic equations (HHT-I3). The results obtained using this integration method are compared with the results obtained using an explicit Adams-predictor-corrector method, which has no adjustable numerical damping. Numerical examples that include bodies with different degrees of flexibility are solved in order to examine the performance of the HHT-I3 implicit integration method when the finite element absolute nodal coordinate formulation is used. The results obtained in this study show that for very flexible structures there is no significant difference in accuracy and CPU time between the solutions obtained using the implicit and explicit integrators. As the stiffness increases, the effect of some ANCF coupled deformation modes becomes more significant, leading to a stiff system of equations. The resulting high frequencies are filtered out when the HHT-I3 integrator is used due to its numerical damping properties. The results of this study also show that the CPU time associated with the HHT-I3 integrator does not change significantly when the stiffness of the bodies increases, while in the case of the explicit Adams method the CPU time increases exponentially. The fundamental differences between the solution procedures used with the implicit and explicit integrations are also discussed in this paper.     

Coexisting solutions and their chaotic neighborhood in the dynamical systems of nonlinear optics

Coexisting periodic solutions of a dynamical system describing nonlinear optical processes of the second-order are studied. The analytical results concern both the simplified autonomous model and the extended nonautonomous model, including the pump and damping mechanism. The neighborhood of periodic solutions is studied numerically, mainly in phase portraits. As a result of disturbance, for example detuning, the periodic solutions are shown to escape to other states, periodic, quasiperiodic, or chaotic. The chaotic behavior is indicated by the Lyapunov exponents. We also investigate selected aspects of synchronization (unidirectional or mutual) of two identical systems being in two different coexisting states. The effects of quenching the oscillations are shown. The quenching seems very promising for design of some advanced signal processing.     

Heat and mass transfer in stagnation-point flow towards a stretching surface in the presence of buoyancy force and thermal radiation

In this paper an analysis has been made to study heat and mass transfer in two-dimensional stagnation-point flow of an incompressible viscous fluid over a stretching vertical sheet in the presence of buoyancy force and thermal radiation. The similarity solution is used to transform the problem under consideration into a boundary value problem of nonlinear coupled ordinary differential equations containing Prandtl number, Schmidt number and Sherwood number which are solved numerically with appropriate boundary conditions for various values of the dimensionless parameters. Comparison of the present numerical results are found to be in excellent with the earlier published results under limiting cases. The effects of various physical parameters on the boundary layer velocity, temperature and concentration profiles are discussed in detail for both the cases of assisting and opposing flows. The computed values of the skin friction coefficient, local Nusselt number and Sherwood number are discussed for various values of physical parameters. The tabulated results show that the effect of radiation is to increase skin friction coefficient, local Nusselt number and Sherwood number.     

On the Asymptotic Behaviour of the Solutions of the Equations of Linear Elastodynamics in Unbounded Domains

We prove, among other things, that if the acoustic tensor satisfies a suitable growth condition at infinity (the hyperbolicity condition) and the total initial energy is summable with a suitable weight, then the solution to the initial boundary value problem of linear elastodynamics in unbounded domains decays at infinity, at every instant, with a rate depending on the weight. Moreover, we show that the hyperbolicity condition is necessary and sufficient for the equipartition in mean of the total energy.     

The Beavers–Joseph Boundary Condition and Related Matters: A Historical and Critical Note

This note is concerned with the historical background to the Beavers–Joseph boundary condition at the interface of a porous medium and a clear fluid. Relevant papers published prior to 1975 are discussed. The merits of the alternative methodology utilizing the Brinkman equation are also discussed.     

Exponential stability in the mean square for stochastic neural networks with mixed time-delays and Markovian jumping parameters

In this paper, the stability analysis problem is considered for a class of stochastic neural networks with mixed time-delays and Markovian jumping parameters. The mixed delays include discrete and distributed time-delays, and the jumping parameters are generated from a continuous-time discrete-state homogeneous Markov process. The aim of this paper is to establish some criteria under which the delayed stochastic neural networks are exponentially stable in the mean square. By constructing suitable Lyapunov functionals, several stability conditions are derived on the basis of inequality techniques and the stochastic analysis. An example is also provided in the end of this paper to demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed criteria.     

Topological and non-topological solitons of the Klein–Gordon equations in 1+2 dimensions

This paper obtains the topological and non-topological 1-soliton solution of the Klein–Gordon equation in 1+2 dimensions. There are five various forms of this equation that will be studied. The solitary wave ansatz will be used to carry out the integration.     

The damping in MEMS inertial sensors both at high and low pressure levels

Except for MEMS working in a ultra high vacuum, the main cause of damping is the air surrounding the system. When the working pressure is equal to the atmospheric one (from now on called “high pressure,” i.e., 10⁵ Pa), the mean free path of an air molecule is much smaller than typical MEMS dimensions. Thus, air can be considered as a viscous fluid and two phenomena occur: flow damping and squeeze film damping. These two phenomena can be evaluated through a simplified Navier–Stokes equation. In a medium vacuum (from now on called “low pressure”), i.e., the “packaging” pressure, the air cannot be considered as a viscous fluid any more since the mean free path of an air molecule is of the same order of magnitude of typical MEMS dimensions. Thus, the molecular fluid theory must be used to estimate the damping. To predict the damping of a MEMS device both at high and low pressure levels, a multiphysics code was used. The proposed approach was validated through comparison with experimental data.     

The Rayleigh Stokes problem for rectangular pipe in Maxwell and second grade fluid

The Stokes and Rayleigh Stokes problems for a flat plate in a viscoelastic fluid has recently been generalized to an edge and an exact analytical solution is obtained. In this paper, the edge problem has further been extended to the case of a rectangular pipe and exact solutions are obtained for Maxwell and second grade fluids. Also, the flow due to an oscillating edge problem is extended to generalized Maxwell fluid.     

The influences of both offset and mass moment of inertia of a tip mass on the dynamics of a centrifugally stiffened visco-elastic beam

The present study is concerned with the out-of-plane vibrations of a rotating, internally damped (Kelvin-Voigt model) Bernoulli-Euler beam carrying a tip mass. The centroid of the tip mass, possessing also a mass moment of inertia is offset from the free end of the beam and is located along its extended axis. This system can be thought of as an extremely simplified model of a helicopter rotor blade or a blade of an auto-cooling fan. The differential eigenvalue problem is solved by using Frobenius method of solution in power series. The characteristic equation is then solved numerically. The simulation results are tabulated for a variety of the nondimensional rotational speeds, tip mass, tip mass offset, mass moment of inertia and internal damping parameters. These are compared with the results of a conventional finite element modeling as well, and excellent agreement is obtained. Some numerical results are given in graphical form. The numerical results obtained, indicate clearly that the tip mass offset and mass moment of inertia are important parameters on the eigencharacteristics of rotating beams so that they have to be included in the modeling process.     

Identifying economic periods and crisis with the multidimensional scaling

This paper applied MDS and Fourier transform to analyze different periods of the business cycle. With such purpose, four important stock market indexes (Dow Jones, Nasdaq, NYSE, S&P500) were studied over time. The analysis under the lens of the Fourier transform showed that the indexes have characteristics similar to those of fractional noise. By the other side, the analysis under the MDS lens identified patterns in the stock markets specific to each economic expansion period. Although the identification of patterns characteristic to each expansion period is interesting to practitioners (even if only in a posteriori fashion), further research should explore the meaning of such regularities and target to find a method to estimate future crisis.     

Nonlinear modeling and dynamic analysis of the rotor-bearing system

To overcome the shortcomings of extreme time-consuming in solving the Reynolds equation, two efficient calculation methods, based on the free boundary theory and variational principles for the unsteady nonlinear Reynolds equation in the condition of Reynolds boundary, are presented in the paper. By employing the two mentioned methods, the nonlinear dynamic forces as well as their Jacobians of the journal bearing can be calculated saving time but with the same accuracy. Of these two methods, the one is called a Ritz model which manipulates the cavitation region by simply introducing a parameter to match the free boundary condition and, as a result, a very simple approximate formulae of oil-film pressure is being obtained. The other one is a one-dimensional FEM method which reduces the two-dimensional variational inequality to the one-dimensional algebraic complementary equations, and then a direct method is being used to solve these complementary equations, without the need of iterations, and the free boundary condition can be automatically satisfied. Meanwhile, a new order reduction method is contributed to reduce the degrees of freedom of a complex rotor-bearing system. Thus the nonlinear behavior analysis of the rotor-bearing system can be studied time-sparingly. The results in the paper show the high efficiency of the two methods as well as the abundant nonlinear phenomenon of the system, compared with the results obtained by the usual numerical solution of the Reynolds equation.     

The cross-correlations of stock markets based on DCCA and time-delay DCCA

In this paper, the Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (DFA) and Detrended Cross-Correlation Analysis (DCCA) are used to investigate the stock markets. The DFA method is a widely-used method for the determination and detection of long-range correlations in stock time series. DCCA is a recently developed method to quantify the cross-correlations of two non-stationary time series. We report the results of correlation and cross-correlation behaviors in US and Chinese stock markets by using the DFA and DCCA methods, respectively. The DCCA shows that there exists some crossovers in the cross-correlation fluctuation function versus time scale of stock absolute returns. The cross-correlations in Chinese stock markets are stronger than those between Chinese and US stock markets. After documenting the equal-time cross-correlations using DCCA method, we study the dynamics of cross-correlations of stock series based on a time-delay. The time-dependence of the underlying cross-correlations is monitored using a time window by step of 1 day. An interesting finding is that the cross-correlation exponents and crossovers demonstrate periodical uncertainty changing with the time-delay.