Three-dimensional simulation of flat rolling through a combined finite element–boundary element approach

This paper presents an innovative approach for analysing three-dimensional flat rolling. The proposed approach is based on a solution resulting from the combination of the finite element method with the boundary element method. The finite element method is used to perform the rigid–plastic numerical modelling of the workpiece allowing the estimation of the roll separating force, rolling torque and contact pressure along the surface of the rolls. The boundary element method is applied for computing the elastic deformation of the rolls. The combination of the two numerical methods is made using the finite element solution of the contact pressure along the surface of the rolls to define the boundary conditions to be applied on the elastic analysis of the rolls. The validity of the proposed approach is discussed by comparing the theoretical predictions with experimental data found in the literature.     

Full 3D finite element Cosserat formulation with application in layered structures

In this paper, a full three-dimensional (3D) finite element Cosserat formulation is developed within the principles of continuum mechanics in the small deformation framework. The developed finite element formulation is general; however, the proposed constitutive laws incorporate the effect of the internal length parameter of 3D layered continua. The extension of the existing two-dimensional (2D) Cosserat formulation to the 3D framework is novel and is consistent with plate theory which can be considered as the 3D version of beam theory. The results demonstrate a high level of consistency with the analytical solutions predicted by plate theory as well as predictions by alternative numerical techniques such as the discrete element method.     

The MMOC and MMOCAA schemes for the finite volume element method of convection-diffusion problems

We present and analyze the modified method of characteristics (MMOC) and the modified method of characteristics with adjusted advection (MMOCAA) for the finite volume element (FVE) method of convection-diffusion problems. These two schemes maintain the advantages of both the MMOC and the FVE method. And the MMOCAA scheme discussed herein conserves the conservation law globally at a minor additional computational cost. Optimal-order error estimates in the H¹-norm are proved for these schemes. A numerical example is presented to confirm the estimates.     

Finite element formulation of thermal boundary layers

In this article we discuss the finite element discretization of the two-dimensional, incompressible, and turbulent boundary layers. The formulation of the momentum equation is essentially due to Baker and Soliman [1] with some modifications.The versatility and the accuracy of the method is established by considering several test cases. The predictions are satisfactory and compare favorably with alternative numerical techniques.     

Thermal analysis of hot strip rolling using finite element and upper bound methods

Thermal analysis of hot rolling process has been studied in this work. A finite element method has been coupled with an upper bound solution assuming, triangular velocity field, to predict temperature field during hot strip rolling operation. To do so, an Upwind Petrov–Galerkin scheme together with isoparametric quadrilateral elements has been employed to solve the steady-state heat transfer equation. A comparison has been made between the published and the model predictions and a good agreement was observed showing the accuracy of the proposed model.     

A finite element method for interface problems in domains with smooth boundaries and interfaces

This paper is concerned with the analysis of a finite element method for nonhomogeneous second order elliptic interface problems on smooth domains. The method consists in approximating the domains by polygonal domains, transferring the boundary data in a natural way, and then applying a finite element method to the perturbed problem on the approximate polygonal domains. It is shown that the error in the finite element approximation is of optimal order for linear elements on a quasiuniform triangulation. As such the method is robust in the regularity of the data in the original problem.     

The FDTD simulation for the performance of dispersive cloak devices

In this paper, we defined the scattering energy intensity based on the Poynting vector to quantitatively study the cloak effect of electromagnetic waves in the time domain. The influences of the effective working frequency bands of four kinds of electromagnetic cloak materials, incidence angle of electromagnetic waves and the number of approximately cloak layers on the cloak effect are studied. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time to use the time domain method to quantitatively study the effective working frequency band and the scattering energy intensity of cloak materials.     

The hp finite element method for singularly perturbed problems in nonsmooth domains

We consider the numerical approximation of singularly perturbed elliptic boundary value problems over nonsmooth domains. We use a decomposition of the solution that contains a smooth part, a corner layer part and a boundary layer part. Explicit guidelines for choosing mesh‐degree combinations are given that yield finite element spaces with robust approximation properties. In particular, we construct an hp finite element space that approximates all components uniformly, at a near exponential rate. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 15: 63–89, 1999     

Applications of the three dimensional finite element alternating method

This paper describes some recent applications of the three dimensional finite element alternating method (FEAM). The problems solved involve surface flaws in various types of structure. They illustrate how the FEAM can be used to analyze problems involving mechanical and thermal loads, residual stresses, bonded to composite patch repairs, and fatigue.     

Finite volume and finite element methods for solving a one-dimensional space-fractional Boussinesq equation

In this paper, a new one-dimensional space-fractional Boussinesq equation is proposed. Two novel numerical methods with a nonlocal operator (using nodal basis functions) for the space-fractional Boussinesq equation are derived. These methods are based on the finite volume and finite element methods, respectively. Finally, some numerical results using fractional Boussinesq equation with the maximally positive skewness and the maximally negative skewness are given to demonstrate the strong potential of these approaches. The novel simulation techniques provide excellent tools for practical problems. These new numerical models can be extended to two- and three-dimensional fractional space-fractional Boussinesq equations in future research where we plan to apply these new numerical models for simulating the tidal water table fluctuations in a coastal aquifer.     

Development of a higher order finite element on a Winkler foundation

Analyzing thick plates as a construction component has been of interest to structural engineering research for several decades. In particular, thick plates resting on elastic foundations are more specific. Mindlin's plate theory for thick plate analysis and the Winkler theory for elastic foundation analyses have wide applications. The current research considers analysis of isotropic plates on a Winkler foundation according to Mindlin's plate theory. The analysis uses a higher order plate element to avoid shear locking phenomena in the plate. The main features of this element are representation of real displacement functions of the plate perfect and shear locking do not occur at the plates modeled with this element. Derivation of the equations for finite element formulation for thick plate theory uses fourth-order displacement shape functions. A computer program using the finite element method, coded in C++, analyzes the plates resting on an elastic foundation. The analysis involves a 17-noded finite element. The study's graphs and tables assist engineers' designs of thick plates resting on elastic foundations. The study concludes with the computer-coded program, which allows effective use for the shear locking-free analysis of thick Mindlin plates resting on elastic foundations.     

A finite element model for the fire-performance of GRP panels including variable thermal properties

A finite element study is conducted to determine the thermal response of a widely used glass reinforced plastic panel exposed to fire. This study is performed based on a formulation developed previously by the authors and improved by including the moisture and temperature-dependent thermal properties and a newly developed time-dependent non-linear mixed boundary condition at the unexposed surface of the panel. In addition, the influence of non-zero final resin mass is considered according to a recently performed thermal gravimetric analysis. In order to derive the appropriate element equations, a mixed explicit–implicit Bubnov–Galerkin finite element approach is adopted. Results of this study are presented for a standard, 10.9 mm, thickness of single-skinned polyester-based glass reinforced plastic panel and comprise temperature profiles, density distributions and moisture profiles. Comparisons are made between the predicted results and those obtained experimentally. The predicted temperatures agreed with the experimental results with an average difference of 21.41°C. A simple comparison of the present value with that of the authors’ previous model, 29.66°C, indicates a considerable improvement of 38.53% in the fire-performance prediction of the material.     

Linear B-spline finite element method for the improved Boussinesq equation

In this paper, we develop and validate a numerical procedure for solving a class of initial boundary value problems for the improved Boussinesq equation. The finite element method with linear B-spline basis functions is used to discretize the nonlinear partial differential equation in space and derive a second order system involving only ordinary derivatives. It is shown that the coefficient matrix for the second order term in this system is invertible. Consequently, for the first time, the initial boundary value problem can be reduced to an explicit initial value problem to which many accurate numerical methods are readily applicable. Various examples are presented to validate this technique and demonstrate its capacity to simulate wave splitting, wave interaction and blow-up behavior.     

Object-oriented modelling and simulation of heat exchangers with finite element methods

The paper describes the derivation of finite-element models of one-dimensional fluid flows with heat transfer in pipes, using the Galerkin/least-squares approach. The models are first derived for one-phase flows, and then extended to homogeneous two-phase flows. The resulting equations have then been embedded in the context of object-oriented system modelling; this allows one to combine the fluid flow model with a model for other phenomena such as heat transfer, as well as with models of other discrete components such as pumps or valves, to obtain complex models of heat exchangers. The models are then validated by simulating a typical heat exchanger plant.     

On the convergence of finite element solutions to the interface problem for the Stokes system

The Stokes system with a discontinuous coefficient (Stokes interface problem) and its finite element approximations are considered. We firstly show a general error estimate. To derive explicit convergence rates, we introduce some appropriate assumptions on the regularity of exact solutions and on a geometric condition for the triangulation. We mainly deal with the MINI element approximation and then consider P1-iso-P2/P1 element approximation. Results are expected to give an instructive remark in numerical analysis for two-phase flow problems.     

On the use of physical spline finite element method for acoustic scattering

This paper presents the comparison of physical spline finite element method (PSFEM), in which differential equations are incorporated into interpolations of basic elements, with least-squares finite element method (LSFEM) and mixed Galerkin finite element method (MGFEM) on the numerical solution of one dimensional Helmholtz equation applied to an acoustic scattering problem. Firstly, all three methods are explained in detail and then it is shown that PSFEM reaches higher precision in a shorter time with fewer nodes than the other methods. It is also observed that this method is well suited for high frequency acoustic problems. Consequently, the results of PSFEM point out better efficiency in terms of number of unknowns and accuracy level.     

On the finite element method for elliptic problems with degenerate and singular coefficients

We consider Dirichlet boundary value problems for second order elliptic equations over polygonal domains. The coefficients of the equations under consideration degenerate at an inner point of the domain, or behave singularly in the neighborhood of that point. This behavior may cause singularities in the solution. The solvability of the problems is proved in weighted Sobolev spaces, and their approximation by finite elements is studied. This study includes regularity results, graded meshes, and inverse estimates. Applications of the theory to some problems appearing in quantum mechanics are given. Numerical results are provided which illustrate the theory and confirm the predicted rates of convergence of the finite element approximations for quasi-uniform meshes.