Phase-field modeling of dendritic growth under forced flow based on adaptive finite element method

A mathematical model combined projection algorithm with phase-field method was applied. The adaptive finite element method was adopted to solve the model based on the non-uniform grid, and the behavior of dendritic growth was simulated from undercooled nickel melt under the forced flow. The simulation results show that the asymmetry behavior of the dendritic growth is caused by the forced flow. When the flow velocity is less than the critical value, the asymmetry of dendrite is little influenced by the forced flow. Once the flow velocity reaches or exceeds the critical value, the controlling factor of dendrite growth gradually changes from thermal diffusion to convection. With the increase of the flow velocity, the deflection angle towards upstream direction of the primary dendrite stem becomes larger. The effect of the dendrite growth on the flow field of the melt is apparent. With the increase of the dendrite size, the vortex is present in the downstream regions, and the vortex region is gradually enlarged. Dendrite tips appear to remelt. In addition, the adaptive finite element method can reduce CPU running time by one order of magnitude compared with uniform grid method, and the speed-up ratio is proportional to the size of computational domain.

A Study of the Mechanical Characteristics of a Mandibular Parasymphyseal Fracture with Internal Fixation Device Subject to Variable Bite Forces: Finite Element Analysis

In recent times, research into mandibular fracture has gained momentum from advances in scanning techniques, software/algorithm developments and improvements, and numerical structural modeling using the finite-element method (FEM). In this work, the FEM is used to model a mandibular fracture (using an inhomogeneous and orthotropic jaw model) simulating the effect of different bite tasks/forces on the stability of the fixated fracture. Specifically, bilateral and unilateral clenches (using muscle data) were studied using a low-profile 3D 4 × 2 hole mini-plate deployed for fracture fixation. Here, the mandible bone was treated as orthotropic and spatially inhomogeneous. Although the results of stress and displacement analyses, for this fixation hardware, indicate sufficient fixation under normal biting conditions, the results show that the unilateral and ipsilateral bites develop, in general, the highest stresses or displacements. Such results can guide post-surgery recommendation on bite behavior.

Mixed finite element and differential quadrature method for free and forced vibration and buckling analysis of rectangular plates

This paper presents a combined application of the finite element method （FEM） and the differential quadrature method （DQM） to vibration and buckling problems of rectangular plates. The proposed scheme combines the geometry flexibility of the FEM and the high accuracy and efficiency of the DQM. The accuracy of the present method is demonstrated by comparing the obtained results with those available in the literature. It is shown that highly accurate results can be obtained by using a small number of finite elements and DQM sample points. The proposed method is suitable for the problems considered due to its simplicity and potential for further development.

Finite Element Analysis of Internal Gear in High-Speed Planetary Gear Units

The stress and the elastic deflection of internal ring gear in high-speed spur planetary gear units are investigated. A rim thickness parameter is defined as the flexibility of internal ring gear. Six evenly spaced linear springs are used to describe the fitting status between internal ring gear and the gearcase. The finite element model of the whole internal ring gear is established by means of Pro/E and ANSYS. The loads on meshing teeth of internal ring gear are applied according to the contact ratio and the load-sharing coefficient. With the finite element analysis (FEA), the influences of flexibility and fitting status on the stress and elastic deflection of internal ring gear are predicted. The simulation reveals that the principal stress and deflection increase with the decrease of rim thickness of internal ring gear. Moreover, larger spring stiffness helps to reduce the stress and deflection of internal ring gear. Therefore, the flexibility of internal ring gear must be considered during the design of high-speed planetary gear transmissions.

A Finite Element Solution of Wave Forces on Submerged Horizontal Circular Cylinders

In this paper, a numerical model is established for estimating the wave forces on a submerged horizontal circular cylinder. For predicting the wave motion, a set of two dimensional Navier Stokes equations is solved numerically with a finite element method. In order to track the moving non linear wave surface boundary, the Navier Stokes equations are discretized in a moving mesh system. After each computational time step, the mesh is modified according to the changed wave surface boundary. In order to stabilize the numerical procedure, a three step finite element method is applied in the time integration. The water sloshing in a tank and wave propagation over a submerged bar are simulated for the first time to validate the present model. The computational results agree well with the analytical solution and the experimental data. Finally, the model is applied to the simulation of interaction between waves and a submerged horizontal circular cylinder. The effects of the KC number and the cylinder depth on the wave forces are studied.

Experiment and finite element analysis of micromilling force

For predicting the milling force in process of micromilling aluminum alloy, the law for micromilling force changing under different milling parameters was studied. The elastic-plastic finite elelent model of micromilling was found using general commercial software. During modeling, the Johnson-Cook＇ s coupled thermal- mechanical model was used as workpieee material model, the Johnson-Cook＇ s shear failure principle was adopted as workpiece failure principle, and the coupled thermal-mechanical hexahedron strain hybrid modules and serf-adaptive grid technology based on the updated Lagrange formulation were used to mesh the workpiece＇ s elements, while the friction between tool and workpiece obeys the modified Coulomb＇ s law that combines with the sliding friction and the adhesive friction. By means of finite element analysis, the law for micromilling force changing under different milling parameters was obtained, and the results were analyzed and compared. Finally micromilling experiments were carried out to validate the results of simulation.

Finite Element Based Analysis of Magnetic Forces between Planar Spiral Coils

This paper elaborates on the magnetic forces between current carrying planar spiral coils. Direct and concentric rings methods are employed in order to calculate the magnetic force between these coils. The results obtained by two calculation methods show the efficiency of the replaced rings method in both simplicity and calculation time. Simula-tions using the Finite Element Method (FEM) are carried out to analyze the distribution of the magnetic flux density around the coils. Also, coils with precise size have been constructed and tested. The experimental results as well as the results obtained by FEM are used to validate the accuracy of the calculations.

Parameter Identification Based on Force-Displacement Curves for a Bolted Joint Finite Element Model

In order to identify the uncertain parameters of a bolted joint finite element model,a simple and applicable way of parameter identification is introduced.By utilizing numerical simulation with the Abaqus software and experimental investigation with the MTS material testing system,the tangential force-displacement curves that reflect the characteristics of the bolted joint were acquired.On the basis of this,by employing the response surface methodology（RSM）and genetic algorithms（GAs）,parameters in the FEM model were identified.The force-displacement curves by both virtual and experimental approaches are well correlated at the end.This phenomenon-based parameter identification method may help facilitate precise prediction of complex jointed connection structures.

FINITE ELEMENT DISPLACEMENT PERTURBATION METHOD FOR GEOMETRIC NONLINEAR BEHAVIORS OF SHELLS OF REVOLUTION OVERALL BEDING IN A MERIDIONAL PLANE AND APPLICATION TO BELLOW (Ⅱ)

The finite_element_displacement_perturbation method (FEDPM)for the geometric nonlinear behaviors of shells of revolution subjected to pure bending moments or lateral forces in one of their meridional planes (Ⅰ) was employed to calculate the stress distributions and the stiffness of the bellows. Firstly, by applying the first_order perturbation solution (the linear solution)of the FEDPM to the bellows, the obtained results were compared with those of the general solution and the initial parameter integration solution proposed by the present authors earlier, as well as of the experiments and the FEA by others.It is shown that the FEDPM is with good precision and reliability, and as it was pointed out in (Ⅰ) the abrupt changes of the meridian curvature of bellows would not affect the use of the usual straight element. Then the nonlinear behaviors of the bellows were discussed. As expected, the nonlinear effects mainly come from the bellows ring plate,and the wider the ring plate is, the stronger the nonlinear effects are. Contrarily, the vanishing of the ring plate, like the C_shaped bellows, the nonlinear effects almost vanish. In addition, when the pure bending moments act on the bellows, each convolution has the same stress distributions calculated by the linear solution and other linear theories, but by the present nonlinear solution they vary with respect to the convolutions of the bellows. Yet for most bellows, the linear solutions are valid in practice.

FINITE ELEMENT DISPLACEMENT PERTURBATION METHOD FOR GEOMETRIC NONLINEAR BEHAVIORS OF SHELLS OF REVOLUTION OVERALL BENDING IN A MERIDIONAL PLANE AND APPLICATION TO BELLOWS (Ⅰ)

In order to analyze bellows effectively and practically, the finite_element_displacement_perturbation method (FEDPM) is proposed for the geometric nonlinear behaviors of shells of revolution subjected to pure bending moments or lateral forces in one of their meridional planes. The formulations are mainly based upon the idea of perturba_ tion that the nodal displacement vector and the nodal force vector of each finite element are expanded by taking root_mean_square value of circumferential strains of the shells as a perturbation parameter. The load steps and the iteration times are not as arbitrary and unpredictable as in usual nonlinear analysis. Instead, there are certain relations between the load steps and the displacement increments, and no need of iteration for each load step. Besides, in the formulations, the shell is idealized into a series of conical frusta for the convenience of practice, Sander's nonlinear geometric equations of moderate small rotation are used, and the shell made of more than one material ply is also considered.

Cup-drawing formation of steel sheet with nickel coating by finite element method

The finite element method(FEM) simulation of deep-drawing of steel sheet with nickel coating based on the solid element and dynamic explicit method was reported. Penalty function method was used to treat the contact algorithm. The friction between the punch and coating sheet was based on a Coulomb formulation. The combination of coating and substrate was defined as tied with failure contact. The results of the simulation illustrate that the steel sheet and the nickel coating do not delaminate at the interface. The stress field of the nickel coating is more complicated than that of the steel substrate. Furthermore,it is found that the punch-nose radius is the most unsubstantial part for the intensity of the entire deep-drawing part and the thinnest part,it is a dangerous zone for the break. At this zone,the thickness thinning of the steel sheet and the nickel coating are up to 4.8% and 6.7%,respectively. Meanwhile,it is found that the curve of the variable blankholder force(VBHF) designed can improve the formability of sheet.

Hybrid method of limit equilibrium and finite element internal force for analysis of arch dam stability against sliding

A hybrid method of limit equilibrium and finite element internal force for analysis of arch dam stability against sliding is presented.The finite element internal force method(FEIFM) is used to provide more accurate thrust forces acting on the faces of a slip body,and the limit equilibrium method(LEM) is employed to evaluate the factor of safety of the slip body.The method presented can deal with a slip body with large amount of geometrically complex slip faces.In addition,compared with the traditional LEM,it can meet the balance condition of the forces in the slip faces.An example shows that the factor of safety obtained by the method presented agrees well with the theoretical solution.A practical example is also presented to demonstrate the application of the method in the stability analysis of an arch dam project.The results from the examples show that the method is promising in analysis of arch dam stability against sliding.

Finite Element Modeling and Modal Analysis of Complicated Structure with Bolted Joints

A contact bolt model is proposed as a new modeling technique to investigate the complex structure with bolted joints for modal analysis and compared with the coupled bolt model, and the test results are given. Among these models, the coupled bolt model provides the best accurate responses compared with the experimental results. The contact bolt model shows the best effectiveness and usefulness in view of operational time. The bolt models proposed in this study are adopted for a dynamic characteristic analysis of a large diesel engine consisting of several parts which are connected by many bolts. The dynamic behavior of the entire engine structure was investigated by experiment. The coupled bolt model and the contact bolt model were applied to model the assembly of engine with high preload. The experimental results are in good agreement with the finite element method （FEM） results. Compared with the other models, the contact bolt model presented in this paper is more effective and useful in view of operational time and experience of analysts.

Two-dimensional finite element modeling of seepage-erosion coupled process within unsaturated soil slopes

Fines migration along with rainfall infiltration is a possible cause of failures of slopes composed of loose deposits.To investigate the intrinsic mechanisms,a rigid mathematical model which can fully capture the multi-phasic and multiphysical process is necessary.In this research,the macro and micro physical phenomena of fines migration process within deposited soil slopes under rainfall infiltration were summarized.Based on the mixture theory,a seepage-erosion model for unsaturated erodible soils capable to capture these phenomena mathematically was built based on a rigid theoretical framework.The model was used to simulate a set of rainfall flume tests involving fines migration phenomena with the finite element method.Two distinct slope failure modes observed experimentally,which were induced by the soil erosion-deposition properties,can be well reproduced by our numerical model.The seepage-erosion coupled process during the rainfall infiltration,as well as the intrinsic mechanism responsible for the slope failures,was illustrated in detail based on the numerical results.It was shown that the fines migration process can affect the hydro-mechanical response within unsaturated slopes significantly,and therefore special attention should be paid to those soil slopes susceptible to internal erosion.

Calculation method of ship collision force on bridge using artificial neural network

Ship collision on bridge is a dynamic process featured by high nonlinearity and instantaneity. Calculating ship-bridge collision force typically involves either the use of design-specification-stipulated equivalent static load, or the use of finite element method (FEM) which is more time-consuming and requires supercomputing resources. In this paper, we proposed an alternative approach that combines FEM with artificial neural network (ANN). The radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) employed for calculating the impact force in consideration of ship-bridge collision mechanics. With ship velocity and mass as the input vectors and ship collision force as the output vector, the neural networks for different network parameters are trained by the learning samples obtained from finite element simulation results. The error analyses of the learning and testing samples show that the proposed RBFNN is accurate enough to calculate ship-bridge collision force. The input-output relationship obtained by the RBFNN is essentially consistent with the typical empirical formulae. Finally, a special toolbox is developed for calculation efficiency in application using MATLAB software.

The finite element modeling of spiral ropes

Accurate understanding the behavior of spiral rope is complicated due to their complex geometry and complex contact conditions between the wires.This study proposed the finite element models of spiral ropes subjected to tensile loads.The parametric equations developed in this paper were implemented for geometric modeling of ropes.The 3D geometric models with different twisting manner,equal diameters of wires were generated in details by using Pro/ENGINEER software.The results of the present finite element analysis were on an acceptable level of accuracy as compared with those of theoretical and experimental data.Further development is ongoing to analysis the equivalent stresses induced by twisting manner of cables.The twisting manner of wires was important to spiral ropes in the three wire layers and the outer twisting manner of wires should be contrary to that of the second layer,no matter what is the first twisting manner of wires.

Finite Element Analysis of Fretting Behavior Between an Engine Cylinder Block and a Main Bearing Cap

The finite element analysis of the fretting behavior between a cylinder block and a main bearing cap is presented. The stresses, relative fretting slip, frettin g friction work parameter W and crack initiation location parameter Gon the fretting contact surface of the cylinder block are obtained and analyzed. It shows that the fretting fatigue problem of the cylinder block can be quantitat ively explained by WorG. The effects of pretightening force, friction factor and material combination of the cylinder block and the main bearing cap are studied. The computational results indicate that the fretting fatigue of the cylinder block can be allayed by increasing the elastic modulus of the cylinder block, but not by changing the other two factors.

Simulated Experiments for Teaching Mutually-Coupled Circuits CAD Techniques Using Analytic and Finite Element Solutions

The paper describes an approach to teaching mutually-coupled circuits CAD techniques to undergraduate students pursuing a degree course in electrical engineering or physics, and explains how a series of simulated experiments may be incorporated into the existing subjects. The simulated experiments make use of a two-dimensional open-access software based on the finite-element method. At the laboratory meetings, the students learn how to set up field problems for solution, and how to examine the results. Simulation tasks based on three axisymmetric open-boundary problems are used to introduce different numeric techniques to compute inductance and magnetic forces. The paper takes the reader to a step-by-step simulation journey, and provides all the basic elements required for further exploration of axially-symmetric systems.

Simulated Experiments for Teaching CAD Techniques Using Analytic and Finite Element Solutions of Electromagnetic Two-Dimensional Problems with Longitudinal Symmetry

The paper describes an approach to teaching low-frequency electromagnetic CAD techniques to undergraduate students pursuing a degree course in electrical engineering. The simulated experiments make use of a two-dimensional open-access software based on the finite-element method. At the laboratory meetings, the problems are initially solved analytically. Upon this, students learn how to create the numeric model and how to define the sequence of field problems that lead to the required solution. Simulation tasks based on a force-producing electromagnet are used to introduce numeric techniques to determine magnetic field distribution, evaluation of energy storage and generation of magnetic forces. The nature of the magnetic force generated in the air gaps of the C-core electromagnet is explained in detail. Magnetic forces are calculated by the classical and weighted versions of the method of Maxwell stress tensor. The paper provides all the basic elements required for further exploration of devices with longitudinal symmetry.

MULTIPOINT BLANK HOLDER FORCE CONTROL IN HYDROFORMING OF FUEL TANK

The study of multipoint blank holder force（BHF） control is carried out for hydroforming a complicated shape motorcycle fuel tank. By finite element method （FEM） simulation, the configuration of multipoint blank holder cylinders and the setting of local BHF are optimized, and the influences of the multipoint BHF on the hydromechanical deep drawing and conventional hydroforming processes are studied. The desired fluid pressure and whole BHF are predicted for hydromechanical deep drawing process. Finally, simulation results are testified by forming experiment, and they are in agreement very well.