FREQUENCY DOMAIN CRITERIA FOR ROBUST D-STABILITY OF MIMO SYSTEMS BASED ON LMI METHOD

The problem of checking robust D-stability of multi-in and multi-out (MIMO) systems was studied. Three system models were introduced, i.e. multilinear polynomial matrix, polytopic polynomial matrix and feedback system model. Furthermore, the convex property of each model with respect to the parametric uncertainties was established respectively. Based on this, sufficient conditions for D-stability were expressed in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) involving only the convex vertices. Therefore, the robust D-stability was tested by solving an LMI optimal problem.     

On the inverse optimization problem for periodic systems

Consideration is given to the problem inverse to the problem of designing the optimal (in the sense of minimization of a quadratic functional) controller for a linear periodic system. Problem statement: given matrices describing the dynamics of the system and a control matrix, determine the weighting matrices of the quadratic functional. To solve this problem, an algorithm based on linear matrix inequalities is proposed __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika, Vol. 41, No. 12, pp. 100–106, December 2005.     

Die design: An implicit formulation for the inverse problem

Let us call a direct extrusion problem (DEP) the problem of finding the shape of the extrudate coming out of a die of prescribed shape. An implicit finite element formulation of the DEP which is geometrically general and for which a Newton-Raphson technique can be implemented has recently been proposed by Legat and Marchal. However, the problem posed to the die designer is frequently the inverse extrusion problem (IEP), i.e. finding the die shape which produces an extrudate of prescribed shape. This paper presents an extension of our original method for solving the IEP which avoids the ‘trial-and-error’ iteration on the die geometry itself. The advantage of the formulation lies in its capability to handle complex geometrics and in its low cost, because the CPU time and memory required to solve the IEP are almost identical to those of the DEP. We present benchmark results for squares and rectangles and new results obtained for geometries involving multiple corners. For an octagonal shape we also consider the case of a power-law fluid. For all results presented in this paper, surface tension has not been included.     

An inverse problem formulation of the immersed-boundary method

We formulate the immersed-boundary method (IBM) as an inverse problem. A control variable is introduced on the boundary of a larger domain that encompasses the target domain. The optimal control is the one that minimizes the mismatch between the state and the desired boundary value along the immersed target-domain boundary. We begin by investigating a naïve problem formulation that we show is ill-posed: in the case of the Laplace equation, we prove that the solution is unique, but it fails to depend continuously on the data; for the linear advection equation, even solution uniqueness fails to hold. These issues are addressed by two complimentary strategies. The first strategy is to ensure that the enclosing domain tends to the true domain, as the mesh is refined. The second strategy is to include a specialized parameter-free regularization that is based on penalizing the difference between the control and the state on the boundary. The proposed inverse IBM is applied to the diffusion, advection, and advection-diffusion equations using a high-order discontinuous Galerkin discretization. The numerical experiments demonstrate that the regularized scheme achieves optimal rates of convergence and that the reduced Hessian of the optimization problem has a bounded condition number, as the mesh is refined.     

An all-at-once algebraic multigrid method for finite element discretizations of Stokes problem

We consider numerical solution of finite element discretizations of the Stokes problem. We focus on the transform-then-solve approach, which amounts to first apply a specific algebraic transformation to the linear system of equations arising from the discretization, and then solve the transformed system with an algebraic multigrid method. The approach has recently been applied to finite difference discretizations of the Stokes problem with constant viscosity, and has recommended itself as a robust and competitive solution method. In this work, we examine the extension of the approach to standard finite element discretizations of the Stokes problem, including problems with variable viscosity. The extension relies, on one hand, on the use of the successive over-relaxation method as a multigrid smoother for some finite element schemes. On the other hand, we present strategies that allow us to limit the complexity increase induced by the transformation. Numerical experiments show that for stationary problems our method is competitive compared to a reference solver based on a block diagonal preconditioner and MINRES, and suggest that the transform-then-solve approach is also more robust. In particular, for problems with variable viscosity, the transform-then-solve approach demonstrates significant speed-up with respect to the block diagonal preconditioner. The method is also particularly robust for time-dependent problems whatever the time step size.     

An iterative integral equation formulation for the macrocrack — array of microcracks interaction problem

Summary The exact solution of the problem of a dislocation interacting with a crack has been used for the generation of integral equations on the microcracks only. A few discresation points are needed along the microcracks, due to their small length. The solution of the resulting system of linear algebraic equations is effected via interations for the time of computations to be further reduced. In several cases our results seem to be more accurate than the ones obtained in [3].     

Weak formulation and first order form of the equations of motion for a class of constrained mechanical systems

Some new theoretical results are presented on modeling the dynamic response of a class of discrete mechanical systems subject to equality motion constraints. Both the development and presentation are facilitated by employing some fundamental concepts of differential geometry. At the beginning, the equations of motion of the corresponding unconstrained system are presented on a configuration manifold with general properties, first in strong and then in a primal weak form, using Newton׳s law of motion as a foundation. Next, the final weak form is obtained by performing a crucial integration by parts step, involving a covariant derivative. This step required the clarification and enhancement of some concepts related to the variations employed in generating the weak form. The second part of this work is devoted to systems involving holonomic and non-holonomic scleronomic constraints. The equations of motion derived in a recent study of the authors are utilized as a basis. The novel characteristic of these equations is that they form a set of second order ordinary differential equations (ODEs) in both the coordinates and the Lagrange multipliers associated to the constraint action. Based on these equations, the corresponding weak form is first obtained, leading eventually to a consistent first order ODE form of the equations of motion. These equations are found to appear in a form resembling the form obtained after application of the classical Hamilton׳s canonical equations. Finally, the new theoretical findings are illustrated by three representative examples.     

An h-adaptive solution of the spherical blast wave problem

Shock waves and contact discontinuities usually appear in compressible flows, requiring a fine mesh in order to achieve an acceptable accuracy of the numerical solution. The usage of a mesh adaptation strategy is convenient as uniform refinement of the whole mesh becomes prohibitive in three-dimensional (3D) problems. An unsteady h-adaptive strategy for unstructured finite element meshes is introduced. Non-conformity of the refined mesh and a bounded decrease in the geometrical quality of the elements are some features of the refinement algorithm. A 3D extension of the well-known refinement constraint for 2D meshes is used to enforce a smooth size transition among neighbour elements with different levels of refinement. A density-based gradient indicator is used to track discontinuities. The solution procedure is partially parallelised, i.e. the inviscid flow equations are solved in parallel with a finite element SUPG formulation with shock capturing terms while the adaptation of the mesh is sequentially performed. Results are presented for a spherical blast wave driven by a point-like explosion with an initial pressure jump of 10⁵ atmospheres. The adapted solution is compared to that computed on a fixed mesh. Also, the results provided by the theory of self-similar solutions are considered for the analysis. In this particular problem, adapting the mesh to the solution accounts for approximately 4% of the total simulation time and the refinement algorithm scales almost linearly with the size of the problem.     

The unilateral contact buckling problem of continuous beams in the presence of initial geometric imperfections: An analytical approach based on the theory of elastic stability

An analytical method for the treatment of the elastic buckling problem of continuous beams with intermediate unilateral constraints is presented, which is based on the fundamental theory of elastic stability. The study focuses on the unilateral contact buckling problem of beams in the presence of initial geometric imperfections. The mathematical Euler approach, based on the fundamental solution of the boundary value problem of the buckling of continuous beams, is appropriately modified in order to take into account the unilateral contact conditions. Furthermore, in order the obtained analytical solutions to be applicable for practical design cases, the actual strength of the cross-section of the beam under combined compression and bending is considered. The implementation of the proposed method is demonstrated through a characteristic example.     

Variational formulation of the equivalent eigenstrain method with an application to a problem with radial eigenstrains

In this paper a variational formulation of the equivalent eigenstrain method is established. A functional of the Hashin–Shtrikman type is proposed such that the solution of the equivalent eigenstrain equation is a unique minimizer of the functional. Moreover, it is also shown that the equivalent eigenstrain equation is the Euler–Lagrange equation of the potential energy of the inclusions. An approximate solution of the equivalent eigenstrain equation is then found as a minimizer of the functional on a finite dimensional span of basic eigenstrains. Special attention is paid to possible symmetries of the problem. The variational formulation is illustrated by determination of effective linear elastic properties. In particular, material with a simple cubic microstructure is considered in detail. A solution for the polynomial radial basic eigenstrains approximation is found. In particular, for the homogeneous eigenstrain approximation, the effective moduli are derived in an exact closed form.     

One formulation of the problem of elastoplastic separation

The problem of the beginning of motion of a cut in a plane under symmetric external loading is considered. The material lying on the cut continuation forms a layer (interaction layer). A transition to a plastic state within the layer is assumed to be possible. The behavior of the layer is described by an ideally elastoplastic model, and the plane outside the layer is assumed to be linearly elastic. A system of boundary integral equations for determining the stress-strain state is derived. Based on this system, a discrete model of separation of the layer material is constructed under the assumption of a constant stress-strain state in the element of the interaction layer. The distribution of stresses in the pre-fracture zone is determined. __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika i Tekhnicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 50, No. 4, pp. 187–195, July–August, 2009     

An asymptotic approach to the torsion problem in thin rectangular domains

A rather straightforward derivation of the Γ-limit of the torsion problem on a thin rectangle as the thickness goes to zero is obtained. The limit stresses are evaluated and the distributional nature of one of the stress components is clarified.     

Validation of the tangent formulation for the solution of the non-linear Eshelby inclusion problem

An extension of the Eshelby problem for non-linear viscous materials is considered. An ellipsoidal heterogeneity is embedded in an infinite matrix. The material properties are assumed to be uniform within the ellipsoid and in the matrix. The problem of determining the average strain rate in the ellipsoid in terms of the overall applied strain rate is solved in an approximate way. The method is based on the non-incremental tangent formulation of the non-linear matrix behavior [Acta Metall. 35 (1987) 2983]. In the present work this approximate solution is verified with a good agreement by comparing to finite element calculations for various inclusion shapes and loading conditions.     

Integral transform solution for the lid-driven cavity flow problem in streamfunction-only formulation

The basic ideas in the generalized integral transform technique are further advanced to allow for the hybrid numerical-analytical solution of the two-dimensional steady Navier-Stokes equations in streamfunction-only formulation. The classical lid-driven square cavity problem is selected for illustration of the approach. The corresponding biharmonic-type non-linear partial differential equation for the streamfunction is integral transformed in one of the co-ordinates and an infinite system of coupled non-linear ODEs for the transformed potential results in the other independent variable. Upon truncation to an appropriate finite order, the ODE system is numerically solved by well-established algorithms with automatic error control devices. The convergence behaviour of the eigenfunction expansion is demonstrated and reference results are provided for typical values of Reynolds number.     

On a robust BEM formulation for the Dirichlet problem of exterior stokes flow

A new formulation is proposed for the solution of the Dirichlet problem of Stokes flow (resistance problem) which considerably improves the conditioning of the algebraic system associated and is meant for application in large-scale problems with iterative solvers.     

A variational formulation of the coupled thermo-mechanical boundary-value problem for general dissipative solids

A variational formulation of the coupled thermo-mechanical boundary-value problem for general dissipative solids is presented. The coupled thermo-mechanical boundary-value problem under consideration consists of the equilibrium problem for a deformable, inelastic and dissipative solid with the heat conduction problem appended in addition. The variational formulation allows for general dissipative solids, including finite elastic and plastic deformations, non-Newtonian viscosity, rate sensitivity, arbitrary flow and hardening rules, as well as heat conduction. We show that a joint potential function exists such that both the conservation of energy and the balance of linear momentum equations follow as Euler-Lagrange equations. The identification of the joint potential requires a careful distinction between equilibrium and external temperatures, which are equal at equilibrium. The variational framework predicts the fraction of dissipated energy that is converted to heat. A comparison of this prediction and experimental data suggests that α-titanium and Al2024-T conform to the variational framework.     

A computational framework for the form-finding and design of tensegrity structures

A new computational framework is proposed for the form-finding and design of tensegrity structures with or without super-stability. The form-finding of tensegrities is formulated as two unconstrained minimisation problems where their objective functions are defined based on eigenvalues of a modified force density matrix. The Nelder–Mead simplex method is then used to solve the minimisation problems. Furthermore, another efficient method is suggested for the interactive form-finding and design of tensegrities with geometrical and force constraints. Examples of the form-finding of tensegrities are presented and the results obtained are compared and contrasted with those analytical results documented in the literature, to verify the accuracy and efficiency of the developed methods.     

An accurate model for the thin film flow

This paper deals with the linear stability of a liquid film flowing down an inclined plane. The Navier-Stokes equations were reduced into four evolution equations that describe the development of the film depth, the flow rate, the free surface velocity, and the wall shear stress, using the Karman-Polhausen boundary layer integral method. Thus, we were able to determine the stability threshold and approach well the critical wave number for long waves. The obtained results were found to be in good agreement with the experiments of Liu et al.     

AN ITERATIVE METHOD FOR THE DISCRETE PROBLEMS OF A CLASS OF ELLIPTICAL VARIATIONAL INEQUALITIES

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Global Constraints for Stress Constrained Materials: The Problem of Saint Venant

Based on the global constraint principle of Antman and Marlow, a new solution of Saint Venant's problem is proposed. The solutions for the six fundamental cases of loading in terms of stress are obtained with relative ease and converge to the classical Saint Venant's solution as the length of the beam is increased. It is also shown that the assumptions of a special technical rod theory are coherent with the requirements of the global constraint theory for the Saint Venant cylinder.