Structural optimization with parameter-transfer finite element

A mathematical method to solve structural problems, using parameter-transfer finite elements (P-TFE) was recently proposed by the authors [1] [2] [3]. The proposed transfer finite element approach is able to create a mathematical model of a structure, taking into account directly the whole behaviour of the structure under dynamic, aerodynamic, and thermal actions, and not by assembling, in a separate fashion, the stiffness and the mass matrix on one side and the external load vector as performed by the classical finite element procedure.The purpose of this paper is to apply the above methodology to optimization problems, in particular to obtain the minimum structural weight for a beam, under primary constraints on buckling load or natural frequencies.The use of P-TFE in the field of structural optimization overcomes most difficulties of the usual techniques of solution and the element is particularly useful in the evaluation of the sensitivity matrix.The formulation of the optimization problem based on P-TFE is presented and some applications are studied. The numerical results obtained are compared with other existing methodologies and briefly discussed.

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Sommario Gli autori hanno già proposto un metodo per studiare problemi strutturali [1] [2] [3], introducendo una nuova metodologia di discretizzazione, basata sull'impiego di elementi finiti di trasferimento, funzioni esplicite di un parametro, indicati come P-TFE. Tali elementi sono in grado di rappresentare, in similitudine alla funzione di trasferimento, il comportamento completo dell'elemento strutturale in esame, soggetto ad azioni dinamiche, aerodinamiche e termiche; sono parimenti in grado di produrre, in similitudine al metodo degli elementi finiti, un modello matematico discreto di un continuo.Scopo del presente lavoro è di applicare detta metodologia a problemi di ottimizzazione, in particolare alla ricerca del minimo peso per una trave che mantenga inalterate le sue caratteristiche di carico critico o le frequenze naturali di vibrazione.Vengono quindi presentati alcuni risultati numerici dei casi esaminati e confrontati con quelli ottenuti da altri autori con l'impiego di altre metodologie.

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List of Symbols {B} _m vector of the generalized state variables - {C} _m vector of integration constants - [I] unit matrix - EI bending stiffness - A cross-sectional area - u adimensional thickness - l beam length - M,M bending moment - [N] _m shape function ofm-th order - [N*] shape function atx ₀ - P axial load - [R] _i transfer matrix of thei-th element - T,T shear force - w transverse displacement - x adimensional independent variable - x ₀ value ofx at the left of the element - {Y} vector of state variables - {Y*} imposed condition atx ₀ - _0m Kronecker delta with the first pedix always set equal to zero - normalized eigenfrequency - normalized buckling load - mass density     

Determination of the atmospheric neutrino spectra with the Fréjus detector

The combined analysis of the final event set of data on neutrino interactions inside the detector, upward going stopping muons and horizontal muons recorded in the Fréjus experiment is presented. The absolute atmospheric neutrino spectra in the energy range for electron neutrinos and for muon neutrinos are determined. Based on the parameterization of Volkova for thev ^µ a spectral index of =2.66±0.05 is obtained from the ratio of horizontal muons over upward going stopping muons and from the measurement of the energy loss of horizontal muons inside the detector. The neutrino spectra are compared with various flux calculations. They do not show any evidence for neutrino oscillations in agreement with earlier analyses of the Fréjus data.Now atUniversity of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA     

Pseudo goldstones at future colliders from the extended BESS model

Decays and branching ratios of light neutralino production in $Z_R^0 \to \tilde \chi _i^0 \tilde \chi _j^0 $ in the left-right super-symmetric model are considered. We study in detail the signatures of one and two sided events in $Z_R^0 \to \tilde \chi _1^0 \tilde \chi _2^0 $ and $Z_R^0 \to \tilde \chi _2^0 \tilde \chi _2^0 $ respectively, and their dependence on the parameters of the light neutralino mixing matrix.     

Weak decays of heavy mesons in the instantaneous Bethe Salpeter approach

In the framework of the instantaneous Bethe Salpeter equation we investigate weak decays ofB andD mesons. Mesons are described asq $\bar q$ states interacting via a mixture of a scalar and a vector confining kernel and a one gluon exchange. The model parameters are fixed by a fit to the meson mass spectrum including also the light mesons. We calculate form factors and compare our results to the pole dominance hypothesis. From a fit to ARGUS and CLEO data onB→D ^*?v semileptonic decay we extract the Cabbibo Kobayashi Maskawa matrix element to beV _cb =(0.032 ± 0.003)(1.49ps/τ _b )^1/2 The Isgur Wise function is calculated utilizing the heavy quark mass limit. Finally, we give some results on nonleptonic decays.     

On the interpretation of positron-annihilation data in powders and fine-grained materials

Monte-Carlo simulations of positron diffusion are carried out for powders consisting of spherical and ellipsoidal particles with and without defects. Following Bergersen et al. [1], elastic positron-phonon interaction is considered to be dominant for scattering processes in positron diffusion. The central question is which fraction of the positrons would be able to reach the particle boundaries. Hence, we calculate the Fraction of Positrons reaching particle Surface (FPS). The presence of defects in the particles can drastically reduce FPS depending on the defect concentration and capture rate. We demonstrate that for small-grained materials the grain surface can influence the lifetime signal significantly.Paper presented at the 132nd WE-Heraeus-Seminar on Positron Studies of Semiconductor Defects, Halle, Germany, 29 August to 2 September 1994     

Luminescence centers in porous silicon

Photoluminescence studies on porous silicon show that there are luminescence centers present in the surface states. By taking photoluminescence spectra of porous silicon with respect to temperature, a distinct peak can be observed in the temperature range 100–150 K. Both linear and nonlinear relationships were observed between excitation laser power and the photoluminescence intensity within this temperature range. In addition, there was a tendency for the photoluminescence peak to red shift at low temperature as well as at low excitation power. This is interpreted as indicating that the lower energy transition becomes dominant at low temperature and excitation power. The presence of these luminescence centers can be explained in terms of porous silicon as a mixture of silicon clusters and wires in which quantum confinement along with surface passivation would cause a mixing of andX band structure between the surface states and the bulk. This mixing would allow the formation of luminescence centers.     

Multiple scattering of narrow light beams in aerosols

A multiple scattering propagation model of narrow light beams in aerosol media is described. It is based on a paraxial approximation of the radiative transfer equation in which the flux normal to the incident beam direction is modeled by a diffusion process. The model solutions are the forward- and backscattered intensity profiles for the specified geometry and receiver aperture and field of view. The required inputs are the system parameters, and the aerosol single scattering angular phase function and extinction and scattering coefficients which are allowed to vary along the beam axis. Good agreement is shown with measurements performed in the laboratory over scales ranging from a few tens of mm to a few m, and in the atmosphere over a scale of the order of 1 km. The solutions are valid for optical depths smaller than 10, for phase functions corresponding to average size parameters of order one or greater, and for off-axis positions not exceeding 25% of the reciprocal of the scattering coefficient.     

CW diode pumping and FM mode locking of a Nd: KGW laser

We have demonstrated cw diode end pumping of Nd: KGW, a novel solid-state gain medium, with up to 30% conversion efficiency into near-TEM₀₀ (M² < 1.05) output at = 1.067 µm for a pump level of 2.7 W. The slope efficiency was limited by intracavity reflections to 36%; however, direct comparison to a similar Nd:YAG laser indicates the same intrinsic slope efficiency of 60%. FM mode locking of this laser at 200 MHz has produced 12 ps pulses (compared to 16 ps for Nd: YAG), although an intracavity etalon was required. Considerable reduction in pulse width is possible (the line width limit is 0.5 ps) but different techniques may be necessary. Spatial hole burning was evident in both the 120 GHz free-running spectrum and the etalon-limited mode-locked spectrum.