FINITE ELEMENT METHOD COMBINED WITH DYNAMIC PHOTOELASTIC ANALYSIS TO DETERMINE DYNAMIC STRESS-INTENSITY FACTORS

The present paper is addressed to the finite element method combined with dynamic photoelastic analysis of propagating cracks, that is, on the basis of [1] by Chien Wei-zang, finite elements which incorporate the propagating crack-tip singularity intrinsic to two-dimensional elasticity are employed. THe relation between crack opening length and time step obtained from dynamic photoelaslie analysis is used as a definite condition for solving the dynamic equations and simulating the crack propagations as well As an example, the impact response of dynamie-bending-test specimen is investigated and the dynamic stress-intensity factor obtained from the mentioned finite element analysis and dynamic photoelasticity is in reasonable agreement with each other.

THE APPLICATION OF COMPATIBLE STRESS ITERATIVE METHOD IN DYNAMIC FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF HIGH VELOCITY IMPACT

There is a common difficulty in elastic-plastic impact codes such as EPIC[2,3] NONSAP[4], etc.. Most of these codes use the simple linear functions usually taken from static problem to represent the displacement components. In such finite element formulation, the stress components are constant in each element and they are discontinuous in any two neighboring elements. Therefore, the bases of using the virtual work principle in such elements are unreliable. In this paper, we introduce a new method, namely, the compatible stress iterative method, to eliminate the above-said difficulty. The calculated examples show that the calculation using the new method in dynamic finite element analysis of high velocity impact is valid and stable, and the element stiffness can be somewhat reduced.

Optimization of Material Coefficients in the Holzapfel-Gasser-Ogden Material Model for the Main Four Ligaments of the Knee Joint-A Finite Element Study

Accurate representation of soft tissue material properties plays a crucial role in computational biomechanics. Several material models have been used for knee ligaments in finite element (FE) studies, including the neo-Hookean model (widely used) and the Holzapfel-Gasser-Ogden (HGO) model (seldom used). While the coefficients of neo-Hookean models for the knee ligaments are available in the literature, limited data exists for the HGO model. Furthermore, no peer-reviewed comparison of these two material models for the knee ligaments while including the 3D representation of the ligaments for both material models is present in the literature. We used mechanical properties from the tensile test experiments in the literature for each ligament to obtain the HGO material coefficients while accounting for the ligaments’ viscoelastic behavior. Resultant coefficients were then used in an Abaqus/explicit knee model to simulate bipedal landing from a jump. The simulations were repeated with neo-Hookean values from the literature. Knee kinematics plus ACL and MCL strains were evaluated and compared for these two material models. The outputs from the simulations with HGO properties were predominantly within 1.5 standard deviations from the mean in-vitro data. When the material properties changed to Neo-Hookean, the outputs for kinematics and strain values were higher than the HGO case, and in most instances, they were outside the experimental range for ACL and MCL strains (by up to 11.35 SD) as well as some ITR angles (by up to 2.86 SD). Reported HGO material model with optimized coefficients produces a more realistic representation of the ligaments’ material properties, and will help improve the outcomes of FE models for more accurate predictions of knee behavior.

Light weight analysis of a skeleton vehicle frame using BS960 super-high-strength steel

Static strength finite element analysis was conducted to decrease the weight of a skeleton vehicle＇s frame. Results indicated that the maximum stress occurs on the front beam ＇s variable section area. Dynamic sensitivity analysis elucidated the relationship between the maximum stress and the thickness of a particular beam,e. g.,top,middle,and bottom beam. Displacement was analyzed by the key part that influenced the maximum stress. Finally,the new plan using BS960 super-high-strength beam steel and the preferred beam thickness was compared with the original plan. New combinations of beam thickness were introduced on the basis of different purposes; the maximum responding light w eight ratio was 21%.

Evaluation of train-induced settlement for metro tunnel in saturated clay based on an elastoplastic constitutive model

In this study,a two-dimensional(2D)soil–water coupling dynamicfinite element(FE)analysis is conducted to investigate the effect of repeated train vibrations on the long-term settlement of a metro tunnel in saturated clay.Particular attention is paid to the leakage prob-lem of the metro tunnel by assuming different permeability conditions,namely fully permeable,fully impermeable,and partially perme-able,on the periphery of the tunnel for simplicity.The train vibration load isfirst evaluated using a rail–fastener–tunnel–subgrade model and averaged over a characteristic length for 2D numerical analysis.Cyclic Mobility model is used to simulate the mechanical behaviors of saturated soft clay in the FE analysis.Excess pore water pressure(EPWP)and associated tunnel settlement in trial operation and normal operation are calculated using the FE code DBLEAVES for different permeability conditions.It is found that a very low EPWP is generated in the trial operation,which then increases rapidly to peak values at the early days of normal operation.Afterward,the EPWP diminishes gradually as the train vibration continues.The permeability of the tunnel lining plays a significant role in the distri-bution of EPWP around the tunnel but produces a minor influence on the development of tunnel settlement.The train-induced tunnel settlement is mainly caused by the static settlement resulting from the EPWP dissipation during train interval,while the dynamic settle-ment arising from dynamic consolidation in each train vibration only accounts for a small portion.According to the 2D dynamic FE analysis,thefinal train-induced settlement of the metro tunnel in saturated clay is estimated to reach 160 mm while the peak EPWP value can reach 26.55 kPa.The settlement discrepancies between the numerical method and empirical method are discussed in detail.

Dynamic behavior of aero-engine rotor with fusing design suffering blade off

Fan blade off（FBO） from a running turbofan rotor will introduce sudden unbalance into the dynamical system,which will lead to the rub-impact,the asymmetry of rotor and a series of interesting dynamic behavior.The paper first presents a theoretical study on the response excited by sudden unbalance.The results reveal that the reaction force of the bearing located near the fan could always reach a very high value which may lead to the crush of ball,journal sticking,high stress on the other components and some other failures to endanger the safety of engine in FBO event.Therefore,the dynamic influence of a safety design named ‘‘fusing＂ is investigated by mechanism analysis.Meantime,an explicit FBO model is established to simulate the FBO event,and evaluate the effectiveness and potential dynamic influence of fusing design.The results show that the fusing design could reduce the vibration amplitude of rotor,the reaction force on most bearings and loads on mounts,but the sudden change of support stiffness induced by fusing could produce an impact effect which will couple with the influence of sudden unbalance.Therefore,the implementation of the design should be considered carefully with optimized parameters in actual aero-engine.

Characteristics of motorized spindle supported by active magnetic bearings

A motorized spindle supported by active magnetic bearings（AMBs） is generally used for ultra-high-speed machining. Iron loss of radial AMB is very great owing to high rotation speed, and it will cause severe thermal deformation. The problem is particularly serious on the occasion of large power application, such as all electric aero-engine. In this study, a prototype motorized spindle supported by five degree-of-freedom AMBs is developed. Homopolar and heteropolar AMBs are independently adopted as radial bearings. The influences of the two types of radial AMBs on the dynamic characteristics of the motorized spindle are comparatively investigated by theoretical analysis, test modal analysis and actual operation of the system. The iron loss of the two types of radial AMBs is analyzed by finite element software and verified through run-down experiments of the system. The results show that the structures of AMB have less influence on the dynamic characteristics of the motorized spindle. However, the homopolar structure can effectively reduce the iron loss of the radial AMB and it is useful for improving the overall performance of the motorized spindle.