Low-frequency wave propagation in post-buckled structures

Nonlinear wave propagation in solids and material structures provides a physical basis to derive nonlinear canonical equations which govern disparate phenomena such as vortex filaments, plasma waves, and traveling loops. Nonlinear waves in solids however remain a challenging proposition since nonlinearity is often associated with irreversible processes, such as plastic deformations. Finite deformations, also a source of nonlinearity, may be reversible as for hyperelastic materials. In this work, we consider geometric bucking as a source of reversible nonlinear behavior. Namely, we investigate wave propagation in initially compressed and post-buckled structures with linear-elastic material behavior. Such structures present both intrinsic dispersion, due to buckling wavelengths, and nonlinear behavior. We find that dispersion is strongly dependent on pre-compression and we compute waves with a dispersive front or tail. In the case of post-buckled structures with large initial pre-compression, we find that wave propagation is well described by the KdV equation. We employ finite-element, difference-differential, and analytical models to support our conclusions.     

Longitudinal wave propagation in axisymmetric structures with material and/or aereal discontinuity

For the purpose of delineating the applicability of simple uniaxial wave-propagation theory to a class of axisymmetric structures, an experimental and a two-dimensional numerical investigation involving the transmission of longitudinal waves produced by impact of steel spheres was conducted. The axisymmetric samples were fabricated by cementing together two components of equal length; the constituents were either uniform circular bars or tubes of aluminum or steel of different diameters that produced a target either with an abrupt discontinuity or a continuous lateral surface at the center. The principal tests involved pulse durations of about 50 μs corresponding to a minimum pulse length-to-bar diameter ratio of 6.7 where the transmitted and reflected stress ratios obtained from surface strain-gage measurement were generally found to be predicted by elementary bar theory within experimental error no larger than ±3 percent. Much poorer correlation in these values was obtained for tests involving pulses of substantially shorter duration; here, the dispersive effects capable of being predicted only by higher-order theories were prominently manifested. A two-dimensional analysis for a few configurations was executed using a finite-element procedure and compared with the predictions from elementary theory and with test results; for the 30-μs pulse duration employed, this calculation provided no improvement relative to elementary theory for the predictions of strain histories at stations even only slightly removed from the discontinuity. Both measurement and the results of the two-dimensional calculations indicated that stress uniformity across the section was achieved at stations as close as two bar diameters from the discontinuity for pulse durations ranging from 25 to 50 μs.     

An earthquake engineering wave propagation model

Summary A finite element model for the seismic behaviour of soils requires the definition of suitable boundary conditions to simulate the surrounding soil. These conditions are here analyzed theoretically under the only assumption that the boundary soil behaves elastically. Their application requires the definition of the wave direction. The one of impinging waves is known, being an input datum; the one of the outcoming waves is in general not known a priori. The amount of errors involved is discussed. Analogous problem was previously dealt with for sources of disturbances interiors to the represented portion of the space.

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Sommario L'analisi numerica del comportamento sismico di terreni mediante elementi finiti richiede la definizione di opportune condizioni al contorno per simulare le onde che entrano nella porzione di spazio rappresentato e per assorbire quelle che da questo si propagano verso l'infinito.Tali condizioni sono ricavate teoricamente, nella sola ipotesi che il terreno sul contorno si comporti linearmente. La loro applicazione in programmi di calcolo richiede di precisare al contorno la direzione di propagazione delle onde entranti e di quelle uscenti. La direzione delle prime è un dato del problema, ma la direzione delle onde uscenti non è nota a priori. L'entità degli errori che possono risultarne è discussa sulla base della stessa formulazione teorica. Analogo problema era stato affrontato in precedenza per sorgenti di disturbo interne allo spazio rappresentato.

     

A continuum model with microstructures for wave propagation in ultra-thin films

Ultrasonic waves are powerful and popular methods for measuring mechanical properties of solids even at nanoscales. The extraction of material constants from the measured wave data requires the use of a model that can accurately describe the wave motion in the solid. The objective of this paper is to develop a continuum theory with microstructures that can capture the effect of the microstructure or nanostructure in ultra-thin films when waves of short wavelengths are used. This continuum theory is developed from assumed displacement fields for microstructures. Local kinematic variables are introduced to express these local displacements and are subjected to internal continuity conditions. The accuracy of the present theory is verified by comparing the results with those of the lattice model for the thin film. Specifically, dispersion curves for surface wave propagation and wave propagation in a thin film supported by an elastic homogeneous substrate are studied. The inadequacy of the conventional continuum theory is discussed.     

Symplectic analysis for elastic wave propagation in two-dimensional cellular structures

On the basis of the finite element analysis, the elastic wave propagation in cellular structures is investigated using the symplectic algorithm. The variation principle is first applied to obtain the dual variables and the wave propagation problem is then transformed into two-dimensional （2D） symplectic eigenvalue problems, where the extended Wittrick-Williams algorithm is used to ensure that no phase propagation eigenvalues are missed during computation. Three typical cellular structures, square, triangle and hexagon, are introduced to illustrate the unique feature of the symplectic algorithm in higher-frequency calculation, which is due to the conserved properties of the structure-preserving symplectic algorithm. On the basis of the dispersion relations and phase constant surface analysis, the band structure is shown to be insensitive to the material type at lower frequencies, however, much more related at higher frequencies. This paper also demonstrates how the boundary conditions adopted in the finite element modeling process and the structures＇ configurations affect the band structures. The hexagonal cells are demonstrated to be more efficient for sound insulation at higher frequencies, while the triangular cells are preferred at lower frequencies. No complete band gaps are observed for the square cells with fixed-end boundary conditions. The analysis of phase constant surfaces guides the design of 2D cellular structures where waves at certain frequencies do not propagate in specified directions. The findings from the present study will provide invaluable guidelines for the future application of cellular structures in sound insulation.     

Symplectic analysis for wave propagation in one-dimensional nonlinear periodic structures

The wave propagation problem in the nonlinear periodic mass-spring structure chain is analyzed using the symplectic mathematical method. The energy method is used to construct the dynamic equation, and the nonlinear dynamic equation is linearized using the small parameter perturbation method. Eigen-solutions of the symplectic matrix are used to analyze the wave propagation problem in nonlinear periodic lattices. Nonlinearity in the mass-spring chain, arising from the nonlinear spring stiffness effect, has profound effects on the overall transmission of the chain. The wave propagation characteristics are altered due to nonlinearity, and related to the incident wave intensity, which is a genuine nonlinear effect not present in the corresponding linear model. Numerical results show how the increase of nonlinearity or incident wave amplitude leads to closing of transmitting gaps. Comparison with the normal recursive approach shows effectiveness and superiority of the symplectic method for the wave propagation problem in nonlinear periodic structures.     

An elastic electrode model for wave propagation analysis in piezoelectric layered structures of film bulk acoustic resonators

Wave propagation in a piezoelectric layered structure of a film bulk acoustic resonator(FBAR) is studied. The accurate results of dispersion relation are calculated using the proposed elastic electrode model for both electroded and unelectroded layered plates. The differences of calculated cut-off frequencies between the current elastic electrode model and the simplified inertial electrode model(often used in the quartz resonator analysis) are illustrated in detail, which shows that an elastic electrode model is indeed needed for the accurate analysis of FBAR. These results can be used as an accurate criterion to calibrate the 2-D theoretical model for a real finite-size structure of FBAR.     

The mutual variational principle of free wave propagation in periodic structures

By taking infinite periodic beams as examples, the mutual variational principle for analyzing the free wave propagation in periodic structures is established and demonstrated through the use of the propagation constant in the present paper, and the corresponding hierarchical finite element formulation is then derived. Thus, it provides the numerical analysis of that problem with a firm theoretical basis of variational principles, with which one may conveniently illustrate the mathematical and physical mechanisms of the wave propagation in periodic structures and the relationship with the natural vibration. The solution is discussed and examples are given. Supported by Doctorate Training Fund of National Education Commission of China     

Dispersion characteristics of wave propagation in layered piezoelectric structures: Exact and simplified models

This article presents a study of the dispersion characteristics of wave propagation in layered piezoelectric structures under plane strain and open-loop conditions. The exact dispersion relation is first determined based on an electro-elastodynamic analysis. The dispersion equation is complicated and can be solved only by numerical methods. Since the piezoelectric layer is very thin and can be modeled as an electro-elastic film, a simplified model of the piezoelectric layer reduces this complex problem to a non-trivial solution of a series of quadratic equations of wave numbers. The model is simple, yet captures the main phenomena of wave propagation. This model determines the dispersion curves of PZT4-Aluminum layered structures and identifies the two lowest modes of waves: the generalized longitudinal mode and the generalized Rayleigh mode. The model is validated by comparing with exact solutions, indicating that the results are accurate when the thickness of the layer is smaller or comparable to the typical wavelength. The effect of the piezoelectricity is examined, showing a significant influence on the generalized longitudinal wave but a very limited effect on the generalized Rayleigh wave. Typical examples are provided to illustrate the wave modes and the effects of layer thickness in the simplified model and the effects of the material combinations.     

A model for spherical SH wave propagation in self-reinforced linearly elastic media

We study a spherical wave propagating in the radial and latitude directions and oscillating in the longitude direction in the case of fibre-reinforced linearly elastic material. A function system solving Euler's equation of motion in this case and depending on certain Bessel and associated Legendre functions is derived.     

Simulation seismic wave propagation in topographic structures using asymmetric staggered grids

A new 3 D finite- difference ( FD ) method of spatially asymmetric staggered grids was presented to simulate elastic wave propagation in topographic structures. The method approximated the first-order elastic wave equations by irregular grids finite difference operator with second-order time precise and fourth-order spatial precise. Additional introduced finite difference formula solved the asymmetric problem arisen in non-uniform staggered grid scheme, The method had no interpolation between the fine and coarse grids. All grids were computed at the same spatial iteration. Complicated geometrical structures like rough submarine interface, fault and nonplanar interfaces were treated with fine irregular grids. Theoretical analysis and numerical simulations show that this method saves considerable memory and computing time, at the same time, has satisfactory stability and accuracy.     

Resonant modal interactions in micro/nano-mechanical structures

Nonlinear Dynamics - This paper considers nonlinear interactions between vibration modes with a focus on recent studies relevant to micro- and nanoscale mechanical resonators. Due to their...     

Second-gradient homogenized model for wave propagation in heterogeneous periodic media

The paper is focused on a homogenization procedure for the analysis of wave propagation in materials with periodic microstructure. By a reformulation of the variational-asymptotic homogenization technique recently proposed by Bacigalupo and Gambarotta (2012a), a second-gradient continuum model is derived, which provides a sufficiently accurate approximation of the lowest (acoustic) branch of the dispersion curves obtained by the Floquet–Bloch theory and may be a useful tool for the wave propagation analysis in bounded domains. The multi-scale kinematics is described through micro-fluctuation functions of the displacement field, which are derived by the solution of a recurrent sequence of cell BVPs and obtained as the superposition of a static and dynamic contribution. The latters are proportional to the even powers of the phase velocity and consequently the micro-fluctuation functions also depend on the direction of propagation. Therefore, both the higher order elastic moduli and the inertial terms result to depend by the dynamic correctors. This approach is applied to the study of wave propagation in layered bi-materials with orthotropic phases, having an axis of orthotropy parallel to the direction of layering, in which case, the overall elastic and inertial constants can be determined analytically. The reliability of the proposed procedure is analysed by comparing the obtained dispersion functions with those derived by the Floquet–Bloch theory.     

Measurements of dynamic properties of concrete structures using flexural wave propagation characteristics

Flexural wave propagation characteristics influence the impact noise generation of concrete structures that are found in building floors, railroads, bridges, and many other engineering structures. The flexural vibration of the structure is affected by concrete dynamic properties. The purpose of this study is to measure the concrete dynamic characteristics using a wave propagation approach. The flexural wave speeds, bending stiffness and their loss factors were measured. The measured characteristics are essential for understanding sound radiation and vibration dissipation capabilities of the concrete structures. Various concrete beam structures were made and tested. The dynamic stiffness and loss factor were influenced by its components and showed frequency-dependent variation, especially for the measured loss factor.     

Gradient surface ply model of SH wave propagation in SAW sensors

Investigation of the propagation of the wave in SAW sensors is a basis for the research and design of the sensors. With the advance of the sensor, both the effect of environment on the surface ply and the geometry of waveguide are complicated. To consider the complication, a model with gradient surface ply and multilayer waveguide of SH wave propagation in sensor is proposed. The equation of wave velocity is derived by a transfer matrix method. Through the equation, the function of wave velocity increment via the change of parameters in the surface ply is obtained. The effect of the inhomogeneity on the function is also studied. Finally, some influencing factors of the behavior of the sensor are discussed. This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 59635140), the Doctoral Education Foundation of the Ministry of Education of China and Aeronautics Foundation of China.     

A study of impact wave propagation in the thorax

The stress wave generated by a non-penetrating impact on the thorax is likely to cause severe injury to the lung. Theoretical studies are necessary to the understanding of injury mechanisms. Within the framework of elastodynamics, we have built a model with two media, separated by a plane interface, representing the thoracic wall and the lung. Using an appropriate method, we quantify the energy carried by the shear wave created at the interface and we describe the distribution of energy in the medium representing the lung. These results should contribute to a better interpretation of the experimental results.     

Pull-in voltage analysis of electrostatically actuated MEMS with piezoelectric layers: A size-dependent model

A size-dependent model for electrostatically actuated microbeam-based MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems) with piezoelectric layers attached is developed based on a modified couple stress theory. By using Hamilton's principle, the nonlinear differential governing equation and boundary conditions of the MEM structure are derived. In the newly developed model, the residual stresses, fringing-field and axial stress effects are considered for the fixed–fixed microbeam with piezoelectric layers. The results of the present model are compared with those from the classical model. The results show the size effect becomes prominent if the beam dimension is comparable to the material length scale parameter (MLSP). The effects of MLSP, the residual stresses and axial stress on the pull-in voltage are also studied. The study may be helpful to characterize the mechanical and electrostatic properties of small size MEMS, or guide the design of microbeam-based devices for a wide range of potential applications.     

Derivation of a non-linear model equation for wave propagation in bubbly liquids

Summary Though the use of an asymptotic approach, it is deduced a fourth order partial differential equation governing the evolution of nonlinear (sound) wave propagation in bubbly liquids. Remarkably it involves also higher order nonlinear terms. Some results concerning the steady-state solution as well as the dispersion relation are obtained.

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Sommario Mediante l'usa di uno schema asintotico viene dedotta una equazione differenziale alle derivate parziali del quarto ordine, atta a descrivere l'evoluzione di un'onda non lineare propagantesi con la velocità del suono in un liquido con bolle. Tale equazione in particolare presenta delle non linearità anche nette derivate di ordine più elevato. Infine vengono discussi alcuni risultati numerici connessi con la ricerca di soluzioni del tipo onda stazionaria e con la relazione di dispersione.

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This work was supported by M.P.I. through Fondi per la ricerca scientifica 40% e 60%.