Modeling of viscoelastic contact-impact problems

An accurate finite element (FE) model for analyzing the response of viscoelastic structure under low-velocity impact is presented. Generalized standard linear solid (Wiechert) model is adopted to simulate the internal damping of the structure, because its capability of describing both creep and relaxation phenomena adequately. Newmark time integration scheme is proposed to transfer the problem into a static one for each time increment. The incremental convex programming method is modified to accommodate viscoelastic dynamic-contact problems. The Lagrange multiplier technique is selected to incorporate the contact condition. One, two and three-dimensional finite element model is presented to compare between the elastic and viscoelastic materials.     

On intrinsic time measure concept with application to the modeling of smart materials

In this paper, the cyclic behavior of a Nitinol cubic block is described by using the Bouc-Wen model [2] coupled to the intrinsic time measure, other than the clock time which governs the behavior of the materials [4]. The modified Bouc-Wen model consists from the classical Bouc-Wen model coupled to the intrinsic time measure, other than the clock time which governs the behaviour of the materials. As a consequence, the thermodynamic admissibility of the Bouc–Wen model is provided by the endochronic theory of plasticity. The role of the intrinsic time measure is described by capturing the stiffness and strength degradation and the opposite phenomena. (© 2016 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Nonlinear finite element analysis and modeling of a precast hybrid beam–column connection subjected to cyclic loads

In this work, a detailed three-dimensional (3D) nonlinear finite element model is developed to study the response and predict the behavior of precast hybrid beam–column connection subjected to cyclic loads that was tested at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) laboratory. The precast joint is modeled using 3D solid elements and surface-to-surface contact elements between the beam/column faces and interface grout in the vicinity of the connection. The model takes into account the pre-tension effect in the post-tensioning strand and the nonlinear material behavior of concrete. The model response is compared with experimental test results and yielded good agreement at all stages of loading. Fracture of the mild-steel bars resulted in the failure of the connection. In order to predict this failure mode, stress and strain fields in the mild-steel bars at the beam–column interface were generated from the analyzed model. Such fields of stresses and strains are hard to measure in experimental testing. In addition, the magnitude of the force developed in the post-tensioning steel tendon was also monitored and it was observed that it did not yield during the entire loading history. Successful finite element modeling will provide a practical and economical tool to investigate the behavior of such connections.     

Application of the discrete element method to model cohesive materials

In this contribution we show how the discrete element method (DEM) can be applied to model cohesive materials which exhibit ductile behaviour by introducing connective elements that can bear a certain load. The modelled material is verified by simulating a orthogonal cutting process which is compared to experimental results. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Modelling subgroup behaviour in crowd dynamics DEM simulation

This paper investigates the behaviour of subgroups in crowd dynamics by means of filming and observation. An existing crowd modelling program, CrowdDMX, based on a discrete element model (DEM) has been modified on the basis of observations made in this paper and literature. Each person is represented as three overlapping circles and motion is modelled in a Newtonian manner. It incorporates psychological forces as well as physical forces in a 2D time-stepping environment. The DEM model was modified to include realistic subgroup behaviour, representing people in the crowd desiring to stay together (families, friends, etc.). Subgroup psychological forces were incorporated. The previous model only simulated individuals moving independently, which was unrealistic in some situations as shown by the observation and filming part of the study. The revised program models subgroups realistically including the tendency to avoid subgroup division in cases of contra-flow.     

A finite element modeling of piezoelectric materials with a superimposed stress

Based on the mechanism of domain switching, a three dimensional nonlinear finite element model for piezoelectric materials subjected to electromechancial loading is developed in this contribution. The finally considered model problem deals with differently oriented grains whereby uni-axial, quasi-static cyclic loading is applied. It is assumed that a crystal orientation switches if the reduction in free energy of the grain exceeds a critical energy barrier. The nonlinearity in the small electromechanical loading range is addresses via a polynomial probability function for domain switching. Hysteresis behavior is discussed taking the influence of a superimposed compression state into account. It is observed that the hysteresis loop flattens under the axial compression but elongates under the transverse compression. Irrespective of how the compression is applied, the remnant polarization and as well as the coercive electric field decrease. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A constitutive model for granular materials with microstructures using the concept of energy relaxation

In this paper, we present a constitutive model for granular materials exhibiting microstructures using the concept of energy relaxation. Within the framework of Cosserat continuum theory the free energy of the material is enriched with an interaction energy potential taking into account the counter rotations of the particles. The enhanced energy potential fails to be quasiconvex. Energy relaxation theory is employed to compute the relaxed energy which yields all possible displacement and micro-rotations field fluctuations as minimizers. Based on a two-field variational principle the constitutive response of the material is derived. The developed constitutive model is then implemented in a finite element analysis program using the finite element method. Numerical simulations are presented to observe the localized deformation phenomenon in a granular medium. (© 2013 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Hysteresis Behaviour of 51CrV4 and Viscoplastic Modeling Aspects

In this work we investigate the material behaviour of steel 51CrV4 in classical uniaxial strain controlled tension tests of different strain rates interposed by relaxation steps, in which the equilibrium stress observed is significantly smaller than the stresses seen in slowest strain rate test. Also, some cyclic experiments with different strain rates and amplitudes were done to analyze the hysteresis behaviour of the material. Against this background of experimental data the modeling possibilties of two models are explored: the Lion model and the Chaboche model with kinematic hardening ansatz. (© 2011 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Modelización numérica del comportamiento estructural cíclico de barras esbeltas de acero con pandeo restringido

This work presents a numerical model of the cyclic structural behavior of dissipative buckling-restrained braces, commonly used as an alternative to classical concentric braces for seismic protection of building frames and other structures. Such devices are usually composed of a slender steel core embedded in a stockiest casing that is intended to prevent its buckling when it is under compression. The casing is made either of mortar or steel, and a sliding interface is interposed between the core and the casing to prevent excessive shear stress transfer. The behavior of the steel core is described by a damage and plasticity model; the behavior of the mortar casing is described by an isotropic damage model and the sliding behavior of the interface is described by a contact penalty model. These 3 models are implemented in the Abaqus software package following an explicit formulation. In a previous article (published in an earthquake engineering journal) the model was briefly described, its ability to reproduce the cyclical behavior of buckling-restrained braces was preliminarily pointed out and their results were satisfactorily compared with those of experimental tests. The aim of this paper is to describe the model thoroughly and to present new judgments about its usefulness.     

A modified multistage fatigue model to study the fatigue life of forged HS6-5-3 tool steel under high cycle fatigue

DIN type forged HS6-5-3 tool steel (AISI M3:2) is most commonly used in tooling industry and also in some engine parts. Those components are usually exposed to cyclic mechanical stresses and 90% of them failed by fatigue damage. For predicting the life time of this tool steel under high cycle fatigue (HCF) a modified multistage fatigue model found by McDowell is proposed, which leads to reduce effects and cost for predicting life time of this material. (© 2013 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Multiscale damage analyis for steel structures

An approach to model the deterioration of steel structures is presented by transferring the results of a continuum damage mechanics analysis to an extended beam model which can account for the loss of structural integrity. Damage starts at the microscopic level by the initiation, growth and coalescence of voids with decreasing material resistance followed by the formation of microcracks at the mesoscale. Nevertheless, the material behavior can be sufficiently modelled on a phenomenological basis taking into account viscoplasticity, hardening effects and damage evolution. The associated model parameters are identified with the help of an evolutionary algorithm adapting numerical to experimental results. Using the finite element method a nonlocal formulation of the damage variable is required to obtain mesh-independent results by structural analysis. The maximum element size is limited by the small magnitude of the internal length. Therefore, numerical analyses of large scale 3D steel structures are computationally expensive. To reduce the effort a beam element is proposed to account for the plastic hinges and the loss of resistance in the course of damage evolution. The corresponding relationship of bending moment and curvature bases on the continuum damage mechanics model. (© 2016 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

一种镍基单晶超合金高温低周疲劳的晶体取向相关性模型

在950℃t对[001]、[012]、[112]、[011]和[114]晶体取向的镍基单晶超合金DD3试样进行了对称循环低周疲劳(ICF)试验。应变率取1.0×10-2,1.33×10-3,0.33×10-3s-1.试验结果表明,LCF特性显着地取决于晶体取向和应变率。试样断口细观分析表明,除了[001]取向试样外,其余所有试样断口上均有明显的等间距疲劳纹。这些疲劳纹由微裂纹组成,其间距取决于试样的晶体取向和总应变范围。基于晶体滑移理论,建立了疲劳纹间距和总分切应变范围及取向和应变率函数的一个简单关系。对Lall-Chin-Pope(LCP)模型进行修正并推广应用于循环塑性和疲劳寿命研究,提出了一个晶体取向和应变率参数,该参数可以很好地描述镍基单晶超合金高温低周疲劳循环塑性和疲劳寿命的晶体取向和应变率相关性。     

Numerical analysis of quenching – Heat conduction in metallic materials

Metallic materials present a complex behavior during heat treatment processes. In a certain temperature range, change of temperature induces a phase transformation of metallic structure, which alters physical properties of the material. Indeed, measurements of specific heat and conductivity show strong temperature-dependence during processes such as quenching of steel. Several mathematical models, as solid mixtures and thermal–mechanical coupling, for problems of heat conduction in metallic materials, have been proposed. In this work, we take a simpler approach without thermal–mechanical coupling of deformation, by considering the nonlinear temperature-dependence of thermal parameters as the sole effect due to those complex behaviors. The above discussion of phase transformation of metallic materials serves only as a motivation for the strong temperature-dependence as material properties. In general, thermal properties of materials do depend on the temperature, and the present formulation of heat conduction problem may be served as a mathematical model when the temperature-dependence of material parameters becomes important. For this mathematical model we present the error estimate using the finite element method for the continuous-time case.     

Dynamic inversion method for the material parameters of a high arch dam and its foundation

The overall mechanical behavior of the structure of an arch dam is comprehensively reflected by the vibration modal information included in measured vibration response. Hence, the results obtained from inverting material parameters based on measured vibration data are often superior to those based on static monitoring data. In this study, a dynamic inversion method for the material parameters of a high arch dam and its foundation is proposed on the basis of the measured vibration response. First, an arch dam prototype test is conducted to obtain the measured dynamic displacement response as input. Then, a stochastic subspace identification method based on singular entropy is formulated to determine the modal parameters. Second, a dynamic elastic modulus (DEM) with a great influence on the modal parameters is selected as the material parameter to be inverted. Then, a response surface model (RSM), which reflects the nonlinear relationship between the material and modal parameters of each zone, is constructed. Latin hypercube sampling is used to generate the sample library of the DEM. The RSM is fitted by modal parameters calculated on the basis of the arch dam finite element model (FEM) and is applied to replace the FEM. Finally, the optimization mathematical model of the inversion of the DEM is established. Then, the objective function is optimized through a genetic algorithm, and the optimal combination of the DEM in each zone is inverted. The modal parameters of the arch dam calculated by inversion results are consistent with those measured by variation law and values. Therefore, the inversion results are reasonable and reliable. This method provides a new idea for determining the material parameters of a high arch dam and its foundation during the operation period.     

Experimental and numerical study of the relaxation behavior of facial soft tissue

Challenges in computational simulation of the mechanical behavior of soft tissues and organs for clinical applications are related to the reliability of the models with respect to the anatomy, the mechanical interactions between different tissues, and the non linear (time dependent) force deformation characteristics of soft biological materials. In this paper a 3D finite element model of the face and neck, which has applications in surgical devices optimization and surgery planning, is presented. Bones, muscles, skin, fat, and superficial muscoloaponeurotic system (SMAS) were reconstructed from magnetic resonance images and their shape, constraints and interactions have been modeled according to anatomical, plastic and reconstructive surgery literature. Non linear time dependent constitutive equations are implemented in the numerical model, based on the Rubin-Bodner model. For the present calculations a simplified hyperelastic formulation has been used. The corresponding model parameters were selected according to previous work with mechanical measurements ex vivo on facial soft tissue. For determination of model parameters, in particular the ones corresponding to the time dependent behavior, an instrument for measuring the relaxation behavior of the face tissue in vivo was developed. The experimental set-up is described and results are presented for tests performed on different locations of the face (jaw, mid-face, parotid regions) and neck. The measured “long term” reaction force of the facial soft tissue is compared to numerical results. (© 2009 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)