ELASTIC-PLASTIC FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL CONTACT-IMPACT AT RAIL JOINT

Using the finite element code ANSYS/LS-DYNA, a dynamic finite element modelwith an elastic-linear-kinematic-hardening plastic material is established to analyzeelastic-plastic stresses in the railhead in the impact process of wheel and rail occurring at thegap of rail joint. The model is based on the discrete elastic support condition of the rails, whichis suitable for the actual situation of wheel/track rolling contact. In the analysis the influencesof axle load, yield stress and tangent modulus of rail material on the stresses and strains areinvestigated in detail. The distribution of stresses and strains in the jointed railhead are given.It is found that the axle load, yield stress and tangent modulus of rail material greatly affect thestresses and strains in the railhead during impacting. The study provides a reliable method anduseful datum for the further research on fatigue and wear of railhead and improving the rail jointmode.

Highly efficient H^1-Galerkin mixed finite element method (MFEM) for parabolic integro-differential equation

A highly efficient H1-Galerkin mixed finite element method （MFEM） is presented with linear triangular element for the parabolic integro-differential equation. Firstly, some new results about the integral estimation and asymptotic expansions are studied. Then, the superconvergence of order O（h^2） for both the original variable u in H1 （Ω） norm and the flux p = u in H（div, Ω） norm is derived through the interpolation post processing technique. Furthermore, with the help of the asymptotic expansions and a suitable auxiliary problem, the extrapolation solutions with accuracy O（h^3） are obtained for the above two variables. Finally, some numerical results are provided to confirm validity of the theoretical analysis and excellent performance of the proposed method.

Runge-Kutta method, finite element method, and regular algorithms for Hamiltonian system

The symplectic algorithm and the energy conservation algorithm are two important kinds of algorithms to solve Hamiltonian systems. The symplectic Runge- Kutta （RK） method is an important part of the former, and the continuous finite element method （CFEM） belongs to the later. We find and prove the equivalence of one kind of the implicit RK method and the CFEM, give the coefficient table of the CFEM to simplify its computation, propose a new standard to measure algorithms for Hamiltonian systems, and define another class of algorithms --the regular method. Finally, numerical experiments are given to verify the theoretical results.

A refined finite element method for bending analysis of laminated plates integrated with piezoelectric fiber-reinforced composite actuators

This research presents a finite element formulation based on four-variable refined plate theory for bending analysis of cross-ply and angle-ply laminated composite plates integrated with a piezoelectric fiber-reinforced composite actuator under electromechanical loading. The four-variable refined plate theory is a simple and efficient higher-order shear deformation theory, which predicts parabolic variation of transverse shear stresses across the plate thickness and satisfies zero traction conditions on the plate free surfaces. The weak form of governing equations is derived using the principle of minimum potential energy, and a 4-node non-conforming rectangular plate element with 8 degrees of freedom per node is introduced for discretizing the domain. Several benchmark problems are solved by the developed MATLAB code and the obtained results are compared with those from exact and other numerical solutions, showing good agreement.

Tectonic Stress State Changes Before and After the Wenchuan M_s 8.0 Earthquake in the Eastern Margin of the Tibetan Plateau

Crustal tectonic activities are essentially the consequences of the accumulation and release of in situ stress. Therefore, studying the stress state near active faults is important for understanding crustal dynamics and earthquake occurrences. In this paper, using in situ stress measurement results obtained by hydraulic fracturing in the vicinity of the Longmenshan fault zone before and after the Wenchuan Ms 8.0 earthquake and finite element modeling, the variation of stress state before and after the Wenchuan M. 8.0 earthquake is investigated. The results show that the shear stress, which is proportional to the difference between principal stresses, increases with depth and distance from the active fault in the calm period or after the earthquakes, and tends to approach to the regional stress level outside the zone influenced by the fault. This distribution appears to gradually reverse with time and the change of fault properties such as frictional strength. With an increase in friction coefficient, low stress areas are reduced and areas with increased stress accumulation are more obvious near the fault. In sections of the fault with high frictional strengths, in situ stress clearly increases in the fault. Stress accumulates more rapidly in the fault zone relative to the surrounding areas, eventually leading to a stress field that peaks at the fault zone. Such a reversal in the stress field between the fault zone and surrounding areas in the magnitude of the stress field is a potential indicator for the occurrence of strong earthquakes.

Design and analysis of a novel single-mode single-polarization photonic crystal fibre based on polarization-dependent coupling and absorption effect

A novel single-mode single-polarization （SMSP） photonic crystal fibre has been proposed and analysed based on the polarization-dependent coupling and absorption effect via a full-vector finite element method with perfectly matched layers. The numerical results predict that very efficient SMSP operation can be achieved with both high bandwidth and high extinction ratio at low loss penalty. Effects of the fibre structural parameters on the SMSP bandwidth and extinction ratio have been explored, which will provide useful guide for the design and fabrication of the fibre. The results obtained will be instructive for the realization of new SMSP fibres with high performance.

Suppressing the mechanical quadrature error of a quartz double-H gyroscope through laser trimming

In this paper, we introduce a z-axis quartz gyroscope using a double-H tuning fork, which has a high sensitivity. However, it also causes a large mechanical quadrature error. The laser trimming method is used to suppress this error at quartz level. The trimming law is obtained through the finite element method （FEM）. A femtosecond laser processing system is used to trim the gold balancing masses on the beams, and experimental results are basically consistent with the simulated ones. The mechanical quadrature error is suppressed by 96%, from 26.3° s-1 to 1.1° s-1. Nonlinearity changes from 1.48% to 0.30%, angular random walk （ARW） is reduced from 2.19° h-1/2 to 1.42° h-1/2, and bias instability is improved by a factor of 7.7, from 197.6° h-1 to 25.4° h-1.

Design on a highly birefringent and nonlinear photonic crystal fiber in the C waveband

In this paper, a novel photonic crystal fiber （PCF） with high birefringence and nonlinearity is designed. The charac- teristics of birefringence, dispersion and nonlinearity are studied by using the full-vector finite element method （FVFEM）. The numerical results show that the phase birefringence and nonlinear coefficient of PCF can be up to 4.51× 10-3 and 32.8972 w-l.km-1 at 1.55 μm, respectively. The proposed PCF could be found to have important applications in the polarization-dependent nonlinear optics such as the pulse compress and reshaping in the C waveband.

Shape design of the reinforcement for bending load-carrying capacity of under-matched butt joint under four-point bending load

To improve the bending load-carrying capacity （ BLCC） of under-matched butt joint under four-point bending load in the elastic stage, the shape design of the reinforcement is studied based on the theoretics of mechanics of materials. The concept, criterion, realization condition and design proposal of equal bending load-carrying capacity （EBLCC） are put forward. The theoretical analysis results have been verified by the finite element method. The simulation results are coincident basically with the ones of theoretical analysis. The research results show that the shape design of the reinforcement of EBLCC can improve BLCC of under-matched butt joint and the unilateral-side type reinforcement can replace double-side symmetry

STRENGTH DESIGN OF PREMIUM THREADED CASING CONNECTION

Using premium casing connections instead of API ones is one of the mosteffective technique to prevent casing failure. The factors contribute to the strength of premiumcasing connections are studied with FEA and full-scale test. The criterions are presented thatensure the connection's strength higher than the pipe. At the same time, the method is given todecrease the peak stress of the connection so as to improve its anticorruption property. At last,full-scale tests are done to test the strength of the connections designed with the methoddescribed, the results show that the connection's strength is higher than the pipe. This indicatedthat the method described is effective in designing premium casing connection.

Pseudo-dynamic test and numerical simulation of high-strength concrete frame structure reinforced with high-strength rebars

This paper describes an investigation of a high-strength concrete frame reinforced with high-strength rebars that was tested in the structure engineering laboratory at Shenyang Jianzhu University. The frame specimen was pseudo- dynamically loaded to indicate three earthquake ground motions of different hazard levels, after which the test specimen was subjected to a pseudo-static loading. This paper focuses on the design, construction and experiment of the test frame and validation of the simulation models. Research shows that a high-strength concrete frame reinforced with high-strength rebars is more efficient and economical than a traditional reinforced concrete frame structure. In addition to the economies achieved by effective use of materials, research shows that the frame can provide enough strength to exceed conventional reinforced concrete frames and provide acceptable ductility. The test study provides evidence to validate the performance of a high- strength concrete frame designed according to current seismic code provisions. Based on previous test research, a nonlinear FEM analysis is completcd by using OpenSees software, The dynamic responses of the frame structure are numerically analyzed, The results of the numerical simulation show that the model can calculate the seismic responses of the frame by OpenSees. At the same time, the test provides additional opportunities to validate the performance of the simulation models.

Nonlinear aeroelastic coupled trim and stability analysis of rotor-fuselage

Based on the Hamilton principle and the moderate deflection beam theory, discretizing the helicopter blade into a number of beam elements with 15 degrees of freedora, and using a quasi-steady aero-model, a nonlinear coupled rotor/fuselage equation is established. A periodic solution of blades and fuselage is obtained through aeroelastic coupled trim using the temporal finite element method （TEM）. The Peters dynamic inflow model is used for vehicle stability. A program for computation is developed, which produces the blade responses, hub loads, and rotor pitch controls. The correlation between the analytical results and related literature is good. The converged solution simultaneously satisfies the blade and the vehicle equilibrium equations.

Simulation of size effects by a phase field model for fracture

In phase field fracture models the value of the order parameter distin- guishes between broken and undamaged material. At crack faces the order param- eter interpolates smoothly between these two states of the material, which can be regarded as phases. The crack evolution follows implicitly from the time inte- gration of an evolution equation of the order parameter, which is coupled to the mechanical field equations. Among other phenomena phase field fracture mod- els are able to reproduce crack nucleation in initially sound materials. For a 1D setting it has been shown that crack nucleation is triggered by the loss of stability of the unfractured, spatially homogeneous solution, and that the stability point depends on the size of the considered structure. This work numerically investi- gates to which extend size effects are reproduced by the 2D phase field model. Exemplarily, a finite element study of the hole size effect is performed and the simulation results are compared to exnerimental data.

Modeling of micropipette aspiration and optical tweezers stretching of erythrocytes with or without Malaria parasite

The erythrocytes play an important role in the human body. The healthy erythrocytes can undergo extremely large deformation while passing through small capillaries. Their infection by Malaria Plasmodium falcipurum （P.f.） will lead to capillary blockage and blood flow obstruction. Many experimental and computational methods have been applied to study the increase in stickiness and decrease in deformability of the Malaria （P.f.） infected erythrocytes. The novelty of this paper lies in the establishment of an multi-component model for investigating mechanical properties of Malaria （P.f.） infected erythrocytes, especially of their enclosed parasites. Finite element method was applied to simulate the erythrocytes＇ deformation in micropipette aspiration and optical tweezers stretching using the computational software ABAQUS. The comparisons between simulations and experiments were able to quantitatively conclude the effects of stiffness and stickiness of the parasitophorous vacuole membrane on the cells＇ deformation, which could not be obtained from experiments directly.

AN EXPANDED CHARACTERISTIC-MIXED FINITE ELEMENT METHOD FOR A CONVECTION-DOMINATED TRANSPORT PROBLEM

In this paper, we propose an Expanded Characteristic-mixed Finite Element Method for approximating the solution to a convection dominated transport problem. The method is a combination of characteristic approximation to handle the convection part in time and an expanded mixed finite element spatial approximation to deal with the diffusion part. The scheme is stable since fluid is transported along the approximate characteristics on the discrete level. At the same time it expands the standard mixed finite element method in the sense that three variables are explicitly treated： the scalar unknown, its gradient, and its flux. Our analysis shows the method approximates the scalar unknown, its gradient, and its flux optimally and simultaneously. We also show this scheme has much smaller time-truncation errors than those of standard methods. A numerical example is presented to show that the scheme is of high performance.

ADAPTIVE FINITE ELEMENT APPROXIMATION FOR A CLASS OF PARAMETER ESTIMATION PROBLEMS

In this paper, we study adaptive finite element discretisation schemes for a class of parameter estimation problem. We propose to efficient algorithms for the estimation problem use adaptive multi-meshes in developing We derive equivalent a posteriori error estimators for both the state and the control approximation, which particularly suit an adaptive multi-mesh finite element scheme. The error estimators are then implemented and tested with promising numerical results.

A POSTERIORI ESTIMATOR OF NONCONFORMING FINITE ELEMENT METHOD FOR FOURTH ORDER ELLIPTIC PERTURBATION PROBLEMS

In this paper, we consider the nonconforming finite element approximations of fourth order elliptic perturbation problems in two dimensions. We present an a posteriori error estimator under certain conditions, and give an h-version adaptive algorithm based on the error estimation. The local behavior of the estimator is analyzed as well. This estimator works for several nonconforming methods, such as the modified Morley method and the modified Zienkiewicz method, and under some assumptions, it is an optimal one. Numerical examples are reported, with a linear stationary Cahn-HiUiard-type equation as a model problem.

Finite element analysis on transient magnetohydrodynamic(MHD)free convective chemically reacting micropolar fluid flow past a vertical porous plate with Hall current and viscous dissipation

This article deals with boundary layer analysis of magnetohydrodynamics on an unsteady chemically reactive micropolar rotating fluid flow past a semi-infinite vertical plate with been developed under Boussinesq approximation.The governing partial differential equations are transformed into a set of coupled partial differential equations using suitable dimensionless quantities.The resultant equations are solved numerically using variational finite element method.A parametric study illustrating the influence of different pertinent parameters is performed and the numerical results for translational velocity,microrotation velocity,temperature and concentration distributions near the boundary layers are discussed and presented graphically for the parametric variations.Finally,the skin-friction,wall couple stress,surface heat transfer and mass transfer rate dependency on the emerging thermo-physical parameters are also tabulated.The finite element code is benchmarked with the results reported in the literature to check the validity and accuracy under some limiting cases and excellent agreement with published solutions is achieved.

Mechanical effects of needle texture on acupoint tissue

Objective:This study aims to clarify how the stimulation of acupuncture points is achieved by needles with different surface texture during acupuncture;it also seeks to lessen injury at the insertion site and increase the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture,by simulating the mechanical effects of various needle surface patterns on Zusanli(ST36)without changing the radius of acupuncture needles.Methods:Five acupuncture needle models with different surface patterns,including the smooth needle,the lined needle,the ringed needle,the left-hand threaded needle and the right-hand threaded needle,and a layered model of the Zusanli acupoint were used to investigate how to reduce tissue damage and increase stimulation during acupuncture treatment,Puncturing of the skin as well as liftinginserting and twisting needle manipulations were simulated using these models,and the degree of damage and force of stimulation caused by the acupuncture needles with different surface patterns during acupuncturewerecompared.Results:The smooth needle and the lined needle caused the least tissue damage during insertion,while the left-hand threaded and the right-hand threaded needles caused the most damage.The ringed needle,the left-hand threaded needle and the right-hand threaded needle stimulated the acupoint tissue more during lifting-inserting manipulations,while the lined needle and the smooth needle produced less stimulation.The stimulation of the lined needle on the acupoint tissue was the largest during twisting manipulation,whereas the left-hand threaded needle and the right-hand threaded needle had smaller effects.In lifting-inserting and twisting manipulations,both the left-hand threaded needle and right-hand threaded needle provided more stimulation,but the torsion direction in which they produced better stimulation was theopposite.Conclusion:According to the simulation results,the ringed pattern enhances stimulation best in the lifting-inserting manipulation,whereas the lined pattern enhances stimulation best in the twisting manipulation.Both the right-hand and left-hand thread patterns have certain enhancing effects in these two operations.Taking the geometric properties of the pattern into account,the left-hand thread pattern and the right-hand thread pattern have the geometric characteristics of both the lined pattern and the ringed pattern.To conclude,a pattern perpendicular to the movement direction during the acupuncture manipulation creates more stimulation.These results have significance for future needle design.

NUMERICAL SOLUTIONS OF PARABOLIC PROBLEMS ON UNBOUNDED 3-D SPATIAL DOMAIN

In this paper, the numerical solutions of heat equation on 3-D unbounded spatial domain are considered. An artificial boundary F is introduced to finite the computational domain. On the artificial boundary F, the exact boundary condition and a series of approximating boundary conditions are derived, which are called artificial boundary conditions. By the exact or approximating boundary condition on the artificial boundary, the original problem is reduced to an initial-boundary value problem on the bounded computational domain, which is equivalent or approximating to the original problem. The finite difference method and finite element method are used to solve the reduced problems on the finite computational domain. The numerical results demonstrate that the method given in this paper is effective and feasible.