Multi-scale Modeling and Finite Element Analyses of Thermal Conductivity of 3D C/SiC Composites Fabricating by Flexible-Oriented Woven Process

Thermal conductivity is one of the most significant criterion of three-dimensional carbon fiber-reinforced SiC matrix composites(3D C/SiC).Represent volume element(RVE)models of microscale,void/matrix and mesoscale proposed in this work are used to simulate the thermal conductivity behaviors of the 3D C/SiC composites.An entirely new process is introduced to weave the preform with three-dimensional orthogonal architecture.The 3D steady-state analysis step is created for assessing the thermal conductivity behaviors of the composites by applying periodic temperature boundary conditions.Three RVE models of cuboid,hexagonal and fiber random distribution are respectively developed to comparatively study the influence of fiber package pattern on the thermal conductivities at the microscale.Besides,the effect of void morphology on the thermal conductivity of the matrix is analyzed by the void/matrix models.The prediction results at the mesoscale correspond closely to the experimental values.The effect of the porosities and fiber volume fractions on the thermal conductivities is also taken into consideration.The multi-scale models mentioned in this paper can be used to predict the thermal conductivity behaviors of other composites with complex structures.

Contribution to the Full 3D Finite Element Modelling of a Hybrid Stepping Motor with and without Current in the Coils

The paper presents our contribution to the full 3D finite element modelling of a hybrid stepping motor using COMSOL Multiphysics software. This type of four-phase motor has a permanent magnet interposed between the two identical and coaxial half stators. The calculation of the field with or without current in the windings (respectively with or without permanent magnet) is done using a mixed formulation with strong coupling. In addition, the local high saturation of the ferromagnetic material and the radial and axial components of the magnetic flux are taken into account. The results obtained make it possible to clearly observe, as a function of the intensity of the bus current or the remanent induction, the saturation zones, the lines, the orientations and the magnetic flux densities. 3D finite element modelling provide more accurate numerical data on the magnetic field through multiphysics analysis. This analysis considers the actual operating conditions and leads to the design of an optimized machine structure, with or without current in the windings and/or permanent magnet.

Grain refinement of Mg-Al alloys by optimization of process parameters based on three-dimensional finite element modeling of roll casting

To study the influence of roll casting process parameters on temperature and thermal-stress fields for the AZ31 magnesium alloy sheets,three-dimensional geometric and 3D finite element models for roll casting were established based on the symmetry of roll casting by ANSYS software.Meshing method and smart-sizing algorithm were used to divide finite element mesh in ANSYS software.A series of researches on the temperature and stress distributions during solidification process with different process parameters were done by 3D finite element method.The temperatures of both the liquid-solid two-phase zone and liquid phase zone were elevated with increasing pouring temperature.With the heat transfer coefficient increasing,the two-phase region for liquid-solid becomes smaller.With the pouring temperature increasing and the increase of casting speed,the length of two-phase zone rises.The optimized of process parameters（casting speed 2 m/min,pouring temperature 640 ℃ and heat transfer coefficient 15 kW/（m2·℃） with the water pouring at roller exit was used to produce magnesium alloy AZ31 sheet,and equiaxed grains with the average grain size of 50 μm were achieved after roll casting.The simulation results give better understanding of the temperature variation in phase transformation zone and the formation mechanism of hot cracks in plates during roll casting and help to design the optimized process parameters of roll casting for Mg alloy.

Propagations of Rayleigh and Love waves in ZnO films/glass substrates analyzed by three-dimensional finite element method

Propagation characteristics of surface acoustic waves（SAWs） in ZnO films/glass substrates are theoretically investigated by the three-dimensional（3D） finite element method. At first, for（11ˉ20） ZnO films/glass substrates, the simulation results confirm that the Rayleigh waves along the [0001] direction and Love waves along the [1ˉ100] direction are successfully excited in the multilayered structures. Next, the crystal orientations of the ZnO films are rotated, and the influences of ZnO films with different crystal orientations on SAW characterizations, including the phase velocity, electromechanical coupling coefficient, and temperature coefficient of frequency, are investigated. The results show that at appropriate h/λ, Rayleigh wave has a maximum k^2 of 2.4% in（90°, 56.5°, 0°） ZnO film/glass substrate structure; Love wave has a maximum k^2 of 3.81% in（56°, 90°, 0°） ZnO film/glass substrate structure. Meantime, for Rayleigh wave and Love wave devices, zero temperature coefficient of frequency（TCF） can be achieved at appropriate ratio of film thickness to SAW wavelength. These results show that SAW devices with higher k^2 or lower TCF can be fabricated by flexibly selecting the crystal orientations of ZnO films on glass substrates.

STUDY ON THREE-DIMENSIONAL FINITE BODIES CONTAINING CRACKS USING THE FINITE ELEMENT METHOD OF LINES

The three-dimensional finite element method of lines is presented, and the basic processing description of 3D FEMOL in cracking questions is given in detail. Applications to 3D bodies with cracks indicate that good accuracy can be obtained with relatively coarse girds. In particular, application to the tension specimen shows very good agreement with the evaluation of stress intensity factors, which is better than the results of other methods. This implies a considerable potential for using this method in the 3D analysis of finite geometry solids and suggests a possible extension of this technique to nonlinear material behavior.

3D finite element analysis on pile-soil interaction of passive pile group

The interaction between pile and soft soil of the passive pile group subjected to soil movement was analyzed with three-dimensional finite element model by using ANSYS software. The soil was assumed to be elastic-plastic complying with the Drucker-Prager yield criterion in the analysis. The large displacement of soil was considered and contact elements were used to evaluate the interaction between pile and soil. The influences of soil depth of layer and number of piles on the lateral pressure of the pile were investigated, and the lateral pressure distributions on the (2×1) pile group and on the (2×2) pile group were compared. The results show that the adjacent surcharge may result in significant lateral movement of the soft soil and considerable pressure on the pile. The pressure acting on the row near the surcharge is higher than that on the other row, due to the "barrier" and arching effects in pile groups. The passive load and its distribution should be taken into account in the design of the passive piles.

3D Finite Element Simulation of Tunnel Boring Machine Construction Processes in Deep Water Conveyance Tunnel

Applying stiffness migration method,a 3D finite element mechanical model is established to simulate the excavation and advance processes.By using 3D nonlinear finite element method,the tunnel boring machine(TBM) excavation process is dynamically simulated to analyze the stress and strain field status of surrounding rock and segment.The maximum tensile stress of segment ring caused by tunnel construction mainly lies in arch bottom and presents zonal distribution.The stress increases slightly and limitedly in the course of excavation.The maximum and minimum displacements of segment,manifesting as zonal distribution,distribute in arch bottom and vault respectively.The displacements slightly increase with the advance of TBM and gradually tend to stability.

A multiscale 3D finite element analysis of fluid/solute transport in mechanically loaded bone

The transport of fluid, nutrients, and signaling molecules in the bone lacunar-canalicular system （LCS） is critical for osteocyte survival and function. We have applied the fluorescence recovery after photobleaching （FRAP） approach to quantify load-induced fluid and solute transport in the LCS in situ, but the measurements were limited to cortical regions 30-50 μm underneath the periosteum due to the constrains of laser penetration. With this work, we aimed to expand our understanding of load-induced fluid and solute transport in both trabecular and cortical bone using a multiscaled image-based finite element analysis （FEA） approach. An intact murine tibia was first re-constructed from microCT images into a three-dimensional （3D） linear elastic FEA model, and the matrix deformations at various locations were calculated under axial loading. A segment of the above 3D model was then imported to the biphasic poroelasticity analysis platform （FEBio） to predict load-induced fluid pressure fields, and interstitial solute/fluid flows through LCS in both cortical and trabecular regions. Further, secondary flow effects such as the shear stress and/or drag force acting on osteocytes, the presumed mechano-sensors in bone, were derived using the previously developed ultrastructural model of Brinkman flow in the canaliculi. The material properties assumed in the FEA models were validated against previously obtained strain and FRAP transport data measured on the cortical cortex. Our results demonstrated the feasibility of this computational approach in estimating the fluid flux in the LCS and the cellular stimulation forces （shear and drag forces） for osteocytes in any cortical and trabecular bone locations, allowing further studies of how the activation of osteocytes correlates with in vivo functional bone formation. The study provides a promising platform to reveal potential cellular mechanisms underlying the anabolic power of exercises and physical activities in treating patients with skeletal deficiencies.

A 3-Node Co-Rotational Triangular Finite Element for Non-Smooth,Folded and Multi-Shell Laminated Composite Structures

Based on the first-order shear deformation theory,a 3-node co-rotational triangular finite element formulation is developed for large deformation modeling of non-smooth,folded and multi-shell laminated composite structures.The two smaller components of the mid-surface normal vector of shell at a node are defined as nodal rotational variables in the co-rotational local coordinate system.In the global coordinate system,two smaller components of one vector,together with the smallest or second smallest component of another vector,of an orthogonal triad at a node on a non-smooth intersection of plates and/or shells are defined as rotational variables,whereas the two smaller components of the mid-surface normal vector at a node on the smooth part of the plate or shell(away from non-smooth intersections)are defined as rotational variables.All these vectorial rotational variables can be updated in an additive manner during an incremental solution procedure,and thus improve the computational efficiency in the nonlinear solution of these composite shell structures.Due to the commutativity of all nodal variables in calculating of the second derivatives of the local nodal variables with respect to global nodal variables,and the second derivatives of the strain energy functional with respect to local nodal variables,symmetric tangent stiffness matrices in local and global coordinate systems are obtained.To overcome shear locking,the assumed transverse shear strains obtained from the line-integration approach are employed.The reliability and computational accuracy of the present 3-node triangular shell finite element are verified through modeling two patch tests,several smooth and non-smooth laminated composite shells undergoing large displacements and large rotations.

3D Finite Elements Technique for Collapse Causes of the Pylons in Egyptian Temples: A Study of the Great Pylon of Ramesseum Temple, Luxor, Egypt

This research presents damage causes of the pylons in the ancient Egyptian temples based on 3D finite elements analysis. The main purpose of the research determines the failure causes of the first pylon of the Ramessium temple, which is situated in Upper Egypt, at Luxor “Thebes” on the west bank of the Nile River. The first pylon of Ramessium temple subjected to seismic activity effects on long term, combined with several structural damage factors such as the defects resulting from the construction technique, where the builder used the poor quality of stones in foundations of the pylon, the building materials residue was used as filler for the core of the pylon walls, and it lacked vertical joints between the courses. In addition to it founded on alluvial soil that is vulnerable to contaminated water, it is still suffering damage factors and urban trespasses at the moment. All of the former factors helped the pylon to be affected by the earthquakes loads that occurred on it. The structural behavior of the pylon under self-weight and earthquakes loads were carried out by Numerical analysis to find out the loads and stresses which caused collapsing of the pylon. Results of the study indicated that the pylon subjected to a horizontal displacement due to old earthquakes force, led to collapse of the pylon. Finally, the study represents use of modern technique to study the structural behavior of the most important architectural units in ancient Egyptian temples to identify the causes of its collapse.

Finite element and experimental analysis of Vickers indentation testing on Al_2O_3 with diamond-like carbon coating

Numerical simulation and experimental study of the Vickers indentation testing of the Al2O3 ceramic coated by diamond-like carbon(DLC) layer were conducted.The numerical analysis was implemented by a two-dimensional finite element(FE) axis symmetry model.FE analysis results gave insight into the fracture mechanism of DLC films coated on brittle ceramic(Al2O3) substrates.The maximum principal stress field was used to locate the most expected area for crack formation and propagation during the Vickers indentation testing.The results show that the median crack initiates in the interface under indenter,before ring crack occurs as the indenter presses down.Finally,the plastic deformation appears when the indenter penetrates into the substrate.The thicker DLC coating increases the Vickers hardness and fracture toughness.

Characteristics of an Axial-flux Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine with Contra-rotating Rotors under Unbalanced Load Condition from 3-D Finite Element Analysis

During recent years,the axial-flus PMSM with contra-rotating rotors has become a hot topic in academic research due to its high efficiency and simple structure.However,its back-EMF may be distorted under the condition of different angular positions.This paper investigates characteristics of the novel motor used for contra-propeller driving.Considering the torque ripple and current oscillation under unbalanced load condition,this paper analyzes the distorted back-EMF of the machine when its two rotors get different angular positions during rotating.The analysis results are validated by transient-magnetic 3-D FEA method,which the 3-D FEA software is used to model this motor and transient simulations are carried out to obtain its magnetic characteristic and main performances.A main focus is put on the back-EMF characteristic with different angular positions between the two rotors.Furthermore,the characteristic of torque production under unbalanced load is investigated.Finally,a prototype motor is fabricated to validate the analyses of this paper.

3-D Finite-Element Numerical Simulation of Centrifugal Induction Electrosalg Casting Solidification Process

A 3-D finite-element numerical simulation model of temperature field for CIESC casting solidification process was developed with the aid of ANSYS software and a series of corresponding experiments were made. The results showed that the good agreement was obtained between the numerical simulation and the experiments. Based on the numerical simulation results, the characteristics of temperature distribution in the castings during CIESC solidification process were analyzed and summarized. According to the G/R-1/2 method and numerical simulation results, there is no any shrinkage defect in the CIESC casting and structure or casting is fine and compact.

3D Finite Element Analysis of a Man Hip Joint Femur under Impact Loads

Objective： The biomechanical characters of the bone fracture of the man femoral hip joint under impact loads are explored. Methods ：A biosystem model of the man femoral hip joint by using the GE （ General Electric） lightspeed multi-lay spiral CT is conducted. A 3D finite element model is established by employing the finite element software ANSYS. The FE analysis mainly concentrates on the effects of the impact directions arising from intense movements and the parenchyma on the femoral hip joint on the stress distributions of the proximal femur. Results：The parenchyma on the hip joint has relatively large relaxation effect on the impact loads. Conclusion：Effects of the angle δ of the impact load to the anterior direction and the angle γ of the impact load to the femur shaft on the bone fracture are given;δ has larger effect on the stress and strain distributions than the angle γ,which mainly represents the fracture of the upper femur including the femoral neck fracture when the posterolateral femur is impacted, consistent with the clinical resuits.

Numerical Study of the Biomechanical Behavior of a 3D Printed Polymer Esophageal Stent in the Esophagus by BP Neural Network Algorithm

Esophageal disease is a common disorder of the digestive system that can severely affect the quality of life andprognosis of patients. Esophageal stenting is an effective treatment that has been widely used in clinical practice.However, esophageal stents of different types and parameters have varying adaptability and effectiveness forpatients, and they need to be individually selected according to the patient’s specific situation. The purposeof this study was to provide a reference for clinical doctors to choose suitable esophageal stents. We used 3Dprinting technology to fabricate esophageal stents with different ratios of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)/(Poly-ε-caprolactone) PCL polymer, and established an artificial neural network model that could predict the radial forceof esophageal stents based on the content of TPU, PCL and print parameter. We selected three optimal ratios formechanical performance tests and evaluated the biomechanical effects of different ratios of stents on esophagealimplantation, swallowing, and stent migration processes through finite element numerical simulation and in vitrosimulation tests. The results showed that different ratios of polymer stents had different mechanical properties,affecting the effectiveness of stent expansion treatment and the possibility of postoperative complications of stentimplantation.

Three dimensional finite element analysis of anatomic distal radius Nitinol memory connector treating distal radius fracture

Objective: To study the memory biomechanical character of anatomic distal radius Nitinol memory connector (DRMC) in treating distal radius fracture. Methods: Establishing three dimensional model and finite element analysis, we calculated the stress in and around the fracture faces when distal radius fracture was fixated with DRMC. Results: Axial holding stress produced by holding part of DRMC on distal radius was 14.66 MPa. The maximum stress of holding part was 40-70 MPa, the minimum stress was 3-7 MPa,and the stress of compression part was 20-40 MPa. Conclusion: The distribution of stress produced by DRMC around the fracture line is reasonable, and axial holding stress can help stabilize fracture during earlier period. The existence of longitudal compression and memory effect can transfer fixated disused section into developed section and enhance fracture healing.

Finite element analysis of stress distribution of obturator prostheses for acquired unilateral maxillary defects

Objective To assess stresses produced by different obturator prostheses. Methods Three-dimensional finite clement models of unilateral maxillary defects rehabilitated with different obturators were constructed. The different stresses were analyzed by three-dimensional finite element method under different load angle. Results The Von Mises stress values obtained for the remaining tissues adjacent to defect cavity were higher when rehabilitated by inferior hollow obturator in comparison with by superior hollow obturator. The maximum of Von Mises were higher when rehabilitated by resilient hollow obturator than by rigid hollow obturator. It was also observed that in the rigid type stress distribution contours formed in the remaining tissues adjacent to defect cavity, while in resilient hollow obturator prostheses the stress distributed mainly in the prosthesis itself. The oblique load shows the most maximum of Von Mises among all types of obturator prostheses. Conclusions A high lateral wall of an obturator may be more better in preserving the remaining structures than a shorter prosthesis lateral wall. A soft liner may be incorporated to reduce the pain of the residual maxillary structures and mucosa. When load on defect, higher stress would be generated to the residual maxillary structures. The adjustment of occlusual relationship is very important.

Finite Element Simulation of Flexible Roll Forming with Supplemented Material Data and the Experimental Verification

Flexible roll forming is a promising manufacturing method for the production of variable cross section products. Considering the large plastic strain in this forming process which is much larger than that of uniform deformation phase of uniaxial tensile test, the widely adopted method of simulating the forming processes with non-supplemented material data from uniaxial tensile test will certainly lead to large error. To reduce this error, the material data is supplemented based on three constitutive models. Then a finite element model of a six passes flexible roll forming process is established based on the supplemented material data and the original material data from the uniaxial tensile test. The flexible roll forming experiment of a B pillar reinforcing plate is carried out to verify the proposed method. Final cross section shapes of the experimental and the simulated results are compared. It is shown that the simulation calculated with supplemented material data based on Swift model agrees well with the experimental results, while the simulation based on original material data could not predict the actual deformation accurately. The results indicate that this material supplement method is reliable and indispensible, and the simulation model can well reflect the real metal forming process. Detailed analysis of the distribution and history of plastic strain at different positions are performed. A new material data supplement method is proposed to tackle the problem which is ignored in other roll forming simulations, and thus the forming process simulation accuracy can be greatly improved.

A New Finite Element Model with Manufactured Error for Additive Manufacturing

Additive manufacturing(AM),adding materials layer by layer,can be used to produce objects of almost any shape or geometry.However,AM techniques cannot accurately build parts with large overhangs,especially for the large features close to horizontal,hanging over the void.The overhangs will make the manufactured model deviate from the design model,which will result in the performance of the manufactured model that cannot satisfy the design requirements.In this paper,we will propose a new finite element(FE)analysis model that includes the manufacturing errors by mimicking the AM layer by layer construction process.In such FE model,an overhang coefficient is introduced to each FE,which is defined by the support elements in the lower layer.By mimicking the AM process from the bottom layer to the top layer,all the FE properties are updated based on their overhang coefficients,which makes the computational model be able to predict the manufactured model with manufacturing errors.The proposed model can be used to predict the performance of the AM objects in the design stage,which will help the designers to improve their design by the simulation results.

OPTIMIZATION OF SHEET METAL FORMING PROCESSES USING FINITE ELEMENT SIMULATIONS

The paper focuses on the combination of the Finite Element simulation and optimization to improve process or product quality. Three different examples to illustrate the developed genetic approach are given. In all three examples is-DYNA3D is used to simulate the process and a general aptimiza- tion sensitivity based strategy is utilized to improve the design. The included examples are: 1) stretch bending of tubes, 2) bulging of tubes, and finally 3) hydromechanical deep drawing. these examples clearly illustrate the potential of systematic optimization in the area of metal processing.