Orthogonal expansion of ground motion and PDEM-based seismic response analysis of nonlinear structures

This paper introduces an orthogonal expansion method for general stochastic processes. In the method, a normalized orthogonal function of time variable t is first introduced to carry out the decomposition of a stochastic process and then a correlated matrix decomposition technique, which transforms a correlated random vector into a vector of standard uncorrelated random variables, is used to complete a double orthogonal decomposition of the stochastic processes. Considering the relationship between the Hartley transform and Fourier transform of a real-valued function, it is suggested that the first orthogonal expansion in the above process is carried out using the Hartley basis function instead of the trigonometric basis function in practical applications. The seismic ground motion is investigated using the above method. In order to capture the main probabilistic characteristics of the seismic ground motion, it is proposed to directly carry out the orthogonal expansion of the seismic displacements. The case study shows that the proposed method is feasible to represent the seismic ground motion with only a few random variables. In the second part of the paper, the probability density evolution method （PDEM） is employed to study the stochastic response of nonlinear structures subjected to earthquake excitations. In the PDEM, a completely uncoupled one-dimensional partial differential equation, the generalized density evolution equation, plays a central role in governing the stochastic seismic responses of the nonlinear structure. The solution to this equation will yield the instantaneous probability density function of the responses. Computational algorithms to solve the probability density evolution equation are described. An example, which deals with a nonlinear frame structure subjected to stochastic ground motions, is illustrated to validate the above approach.

Coherent nonlinear structures in dense electron positron plasma

It is shown that rarefactive-type double layer structures exist in ultradense electron-positron plasma.For this purpose,an extended Korteweg de Vries equation is derived and solved analytically in the low amplitude limit by employing the appropriate fluid equations.A strong influence of quantum degeneracy pressure of electrons and positrons,quantum diffraction effects and concentration of background positive ions on double layer is noticed.It is also pointed out that the amplitude and steepness of the double layer increases with an increase in ion concentration or ion charge number.The results are examined numerically for some interesting cases of dense plasmas with illustrations.

Symplectic analysis for wave propagation in one-dimensional nonlinear periodic structures

The wave propagation problem in the nonlinear periodic mass-spring structure chain is analyzed using the symplectic mathematical method. The energy method is used to construct the dynamic equation, and the nonlinear dynamic equation is linearized using the small parameter perturbation method. Eigen-solutions of the symplectic matrix are used to analyze the wave propagation problem in nonlinear periodic lattices. Nonlinearity in the mass-spring chain, arising from the nonlinear spring stiffness effect, has profound effects on the overall transmission of the chain. The wave propagation characteristics are altered due to nonlinearity, and related to the incident wave intensity, which is a genuine nonlinear effect not present in the corresponding linear model. Numerical results show how the increase of nonlinearity or incident wave amplitude leads to closing of transmitting gaps. Comparison with the normal recursive approach shows effectiveness and superiority of the symplectic method for the wave propagation problem in nonlinear periodic structures.

Formation of Nonlinear Solitary Vortical Structures by Coupled Electrostatic Drift and Ion-Acoustic Waves

Propagation of coupled electrostatic drift and ion-acoustic waves（DIAWs） is presented. It is shown that nonlinear solitary vortical structures can be formed by low-frequency coupled electrostatic DIAWs. Primary waves of distinct（small, intermediate and large） scales are considered. Appropriate set of 3 D equations consisting of the generalized Hasegawa-Mima equation for the electrostatic potential（involving both vector and scalar nonlinearities） and the equation of motion of ions parallel to magnetic field are obtained. According to experiments of laboratory plasma mainly focused to large scale DIAWs, the possibility of self-organization of DIAWs into the nonlinear solitary vortical structures is shown analytically. Peculiarities of scalar nonlinearities in the formation of solitary vortical structures are widely discussed.

THE APPLICATIONS OF GENERALIZED VARIATIONAL PRINCIPLES IN NONLINEAR STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS

This paper discusses the generalized variational principles founded by the technique of Lagrangian multipliers in structural mechanics and analyzes the nonlinear statically indeterminate structures. It is assumed that the stress-strain relationship of the materials of structures has the form of namely, the physical equations of structures have the shape of exponential functions. Several examples are given to illustrate the statically indeterminate structures such as the trusses, beams, frames and torsional bars.

Fully Nonlinear Time Domain Analysis for Hydrodynamic Performance of An Oscillating Wave Surge Converter

The hydrodynamic behaviour of an oscillating wave surge converter(OWSC) in large motion excited by nonlinear waves is investigated. The mechanism through which the wave energy is absorbed in the nonlinear system is analysed. The mathematical model used is based on the velocity potential theory together with the fully nonlinear boundary conditions on the moving body surface and deforming free surface. The problem is solved by the boundary element method. Numerical results are obtained to show how to adjust the mechanical properties of the OWSC to achieve the best efficiency in a given wave, together with the nonlinear effect of the wave height. Numerical results are also provided to show the behaviour of a given OWSC in waves of different frequencies and different heights.

A time integral formulation and algorithm for structural dynamics with nonlinear stiffness

A newly-developed numerical algorithm, which is called the new Generalized-α （G-α） method, is presented for solving structural dynamics problems with nonlinear stiffness. The traditional G-α method has undesired overshoot properties as for a class of α-method. In the present work, seven independent parameters are introduced into the single-step three-stage algorithmic formulations and the nonlinear internal force at every time interval is approximated by means of the generalized trapezoidal rule, and then the algorithm is implemented based on the finite difference theory. An analysis on the stability, accuracy, energy and overshoot properties of the proposed scheme is performed in the nonlinear regime. The values or the ranges of values of the seven independent parameters are determined in the analysis process. The computational results obtained by the new algorithm show that the displacement accuracy is of order two, and the acceleration can also be improved to a second order accuracy by a suitable choice of parameters. Obviously, the present algorithm is zero- stable, and the energy conservation or energy decay can be realized in the high-frequency range, which can be regarded as stable in an energy sense. The algorithmic overshoot can be completely avoided by using the new algorithm without any constraints with respect to the damping force and initial conditions.

Active control for a flexible beam with nonlinear hysteresis and time delay

A new active control method is presented to attenuate vibrations of a flexible beam with nonlinear hysteresis and time delay. The nonlinear and hysteretic behavior of the system is illustrated by the Bouc-Wen model. By specific transformation and augmentation of state parameters, we can convert the motion equation of the system with explicit time delay to the standard state space representation without any explicit time delay. Then the instantaneous optimal control method and Runge-Kutta method in fourth-order are applied to the controller design with time delay. Finally, in order to verify the effectivity of the time-delay controller proposed, numerical simulations are implemented. It is indicated by the simulation results that the control performance will deteriorate if neglect the time delay in process of the controller design and proposed time delay controller works well with both small and large time delay problems.

Structure and Nonlinear Optical Property of the Cluster Compound V_2S_6O_2Cu_6(3-MePy)_6

A cluster compound V2S6O2Cu6（3-MePy）6（3-MePy = 3-methyl pyridine） has been synthesized by using skiving method and the crystal structure was characterized by X-raydiffraction： space group P1, Z = 1, a = 9.7278（4）, b = 10.4180（5）, c = 11.9230（6） , α = 108.240（3）, β = 98.120（2）, γ = 99.500（2）o, R = 0.052 and wR = 0.104. The NLO properties were studied by Z-scan technique with 8 ns pulsed laser at 532 nm. The cluster exhibits strong NLO absorptive ability（α2 = 1.7 × 10–10 m·W–1） and effective self-focusing performance（n2 = 1.27×10–18 m2·W–1） in a 1.58 × 10–4 mol·dm–3 DMF solution.

Fermionic Covariant Prolongation Structure for a Super Nonlinear Evolution Equation in 2+1 Dimensions

The integrability of a （2＋1）-dimensional super nonlinear evolution equation is analyzed in the framework of the fermionie covariant prolongation structure theory. We construct the prolongation structure of the multidimen- sional super integrable equation and investigate its Lax representation. Furthermore, the Backlund transformation is presented and we derive a solution to the super integrable equation.

Intelligent technology-based control of motion and vibration using MR dampers

Due to their intrinsically nonlinear characteristics,development of control strategies that are implementable and can fully utilize the capabilities of semiactive control devices is an important and challenging task.In this study,two control strategies are proposed for protecting buildings against dynamic hazards,such as severe earthquakes and strong winds,using one of the most promising semiactive control devices,the magnetorheological (MR) damper.The first control strategy is implemented by introducing an inverse neural network (NN) model of the MR damper.These NN models provide direct estimation of the voltage that is required to produce a target control force calculated from some optimal control algorithms.The major objective of this research is to provide an effective means for implementation of the MR damper with existing control algorithms.The second control strategy involves the design of a fuzzy controller and an adaptation law.The control objective is to minimize the difference between some desirable responses and the response of the combined system by adaptively adjusting the MR damper.The use of the adaptation law eliminates the need to acquire characteristics of the combined system in advance. Because the control strategy based on the combination of the fuzzy controller and the adaptation law doesn't require a prior knowledge of the combined building-damper system,this approach provides a robust control strategy that can be used to protect nonlinear or uncertain structures subjected to random loads.

Nonlinear optical and optical limiting properties of new structures of organic nonlinear optical materials for photonic applications

The nonlinear optical （NLO） and optical limiting （OL） properties of three new structures of organic NLO guest host Poly（N-vinylcarbozole）/disperse orange 3 （PVK/DO3）, PVK/disperse orange 13 （PVK/DO13）. and PVK/disperse orange 25 （PVK/DO25） as a solution at different concentrations and as a thin-film sample are studied using continuous wave z-scan system at 532 nm. The open-aperture z-scan data of the NLO materials in the solution and thin-film samples displayed two-photon and saturable absorptions, respectively. The PVK/DO13 exhibites the largest and best values of the nonlinearities, such as n2, β, X（3） compared with those of PVK/DO3 and PVK/DO25. This nonlinearity increases as the concentration increases. Tile results indicate that these NLO materials are good candidates for optical switching and OL devices.

Advances in structural vibration control application of magneto-rheological visco-elastomer

Magneto-rheological visco-elastomer （MRVE） as a new smart material developed in recent years has several significant advantages over magneto-rheological liquid. The adjustability of structural dynamics to random environmental excitations is required in vibration control. MRVE can supply considerably adjustable damping and stiffness for structures, and the adjustment of dynamic properties is achieved only by applied magnetic fields with changeless structure design. Increasing researches on MRVE dy- namic properties, modeling, and vibration control application are presented. Recent advances in MRVE dynamic properties and structural vibration control application including composite structural vibration mitigation under uniform magnetic fields, vibration response characteristics improvement through harmonic parameter distribution, and optimal bounded parametric control design based on the dynamical programming principle are reviewed. Relevant main methods and results introduced are beneficial to understanding and researches on MRVE application and development.

Numerical Simulation of ATPS Parachute Transient Dynamics Using Fluid-Structure Interaction Method

In order to simulate and analyze the dynamic characteristics of the parachute from advanced tactical parachute system(ATPS),a nonlinear finite element algorithm and a preconditioning finite volume method are employed and developed to construct three dimensional parachute fluid-structure interaction(FSI)model.Parachute fabric material is represented by membrane-cable elements,and geometrical nonlinear algorithm is employed with wrinkling technique embedded to simulate the large deformations of parachute structure by applying the NewtonRaphson iteration method.On the other hand,the time-dependent flow surrounding parachute canopy is simulated using preconditioned lower-upper symmetric Gauss-Seidel(LU-SGS)method.The pseudo solid dynamic mesh algorithm is employed to update the flow-field mesh based on the complex and arbitrary motion of parachute canopy.Due to the large amount of computation during the FSI simulation,massage passing interface(MPI)parallel computation technique is used for all those three modules to improve the performance of the FSI code.The FSI method is tested to simulate one kind of ATPS parachutes to predict the parachute configuration and anticipate the parachute descent speeds.The comparison of results between the proposed method and those in literatures demonstrates the method to be a useful tool for parachute designers.

Experimental and Numerical Investigations of the Hydrodynamic Characteristics, Twine Deformation, and Flow Field Around the Netting Structure Composed of Two Types of Twine Materials for Midwater Trawls

Nettings are complex flexible structures used in various fisheries.Understanding the hydrodynamic characteristics,de-formation,and the flow field around nettings is important to design successful fishing gear.This study investigated the hydrodynamic characteristics and deformation of five nettings made of polyethylene and nylon materials in different attack angles through numeri-cal simulation and physical model experiment.The numerical model was based on the one-way coupling between computational fluid dynamics(CFD)and large deflection nonlinear structural models.Navier-Stokes equations were solved using the finite volume ap-proach,the flow was described using the k-ωshear stress turbulent model,and the large deflection structural dynamic equation was derived using a finite element approach to understand the netting deformation and nodal displacement.The porous media model was chosen to model the nettings in the CFD solver.Numerical data were compared with the experimental results of the physical model to validate the numerical models.Results showed that the numerical data were compatible with the experimental data with an average relative error of 2.34%,3.40%,6.50%,and 5.80%in the normal drag coefficients,parallel drag coefficients,inclined drag coefficients,and inclined lift coefficients,respectively.The hydrodynamic forces of the polyethylene and nylon nettings decreased by approxi-mately 52.56%and 66.66%,respectively,with decreasing net solidity.The drag and lift coefficients of the nylon netting were appro-ximately 17.15%and 6.72%lower than those of the polyethylene netting.A spatial development of turbulent flow occurred around the netting because of the netting wake.However,the flow velocity reduction downstream from the netting in the wake region in-creased with increasing attack angle and net solidity.In addition,the deformation,stress,and strain on each netting increased with in-creasing solidity ratio.

Improved formulations of the CR and KR methods for structural dynamics

Although the Chen-Ricles（CR）method and the Kolay-Ricles（KR）method have been applied to conduct pseudodynamic tests,they have both been found to have some adverse numerical properties,such as conditional stability for stiffness hardening systems and an unusual overshoot in the steady-state response of a high-frequency mode.An improved formulation for each method can be achieved by using a stability amplification factor to boost the unconditional stability range for stiffness hardening systems and a loading correction term to eliminate the unusual overshoot in the steady-state response of a high-frequency mode.The details for developing improved formulations for each method are shown in this work.

Structural Nonlinear Flutter Characteristics Analysis for an Actuator-fin System with Dynamic Stiffness

The flutter characteristics of an actuator-fin system are investigated with structural nonlinearity and dynamic stiffness of the electric motor. The component mode substitution method is used to establish the nonlinear governing equations in time domain and frequency domain based on the fundamental dynamic equations of the electric motor and decelerator. The existing describing function method and a proposed iterative method are used to obtain the flutter characteristics containing preload freeplay nonlinearity when the control command is zero. A comparison between the results of frequency domain and those of time domain is studied. Simulations are carried out when the control command is not zero and further analysis is conducted when the freeplay angle is changed. The results show that structural nonlinearity and dynamic stiffness have a significant influence on the flutter characteristics. Limit cycle oscillations （LCOs） are observed within linear flutter boundary. The response of the actuator-fin system is related to the initial disturbance. In the nonlinear condition, the amplitude of the control command has an influence on the flutter characteristics.

Attitude tracking control for variable structure near space vehicles based on switched nonlinear systems

An adaptive robust attitude tracking control law based on switched nonlinear systems is presented for a variable structure near space vehicle （VSNSV） in the presence of uncertainties and disturbances. The adaptive fuzzy systems are employed for approximating unknown functions in the flight dynamic model and their parameters are updated online. To improve the flight robust performance, robust controllers with adaptive gains are designed to compensate for the approximation errors and thus they have less design conservation. Moreover, a systematic procedure is developed for the synthesis of adaptive fuzzy dynamic surface control （DSC） approach. According to the common Lyapunov function theory, it is proved that all signals of the closed-loop system are uniformly ultimately bounded by the continuous controller. The simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed control scheme.

Parameter Identification of Structural Nonlinearity by Using Response Surface Plotting Technique

With rigorous dynamic performance of mechanical products,it is important to identify dynamic parameters exactly.In this paper,a response surface plotting method is proposed and it can be applied to identify the dynamic parameters of some nonlinear systems.The method is based on the principle of harmonic balance method(HBM).The nonlinear vibration system behaves linearly under the steady-state response amplitude,which presents the equivalent stiffness and damping coefficient.The response surface plot is over two-dimensional space,which utilizes excitation as the vertical axis and the frequency as the horizontal axis.It can be applied to observe the output vibration response data.The modal parameters are identified by the response surface plot as linearity for different excitation levels,and they are converted into equivalent stiffness and damping coefficient for each resonant response.Finally,the HBM with first-order expansion is utilized for identification of stiffness and damping coefficient of nonlinear systems.The classical nonlinear systems are applied in the numerical simulation as the example,which is used to verify its effectiveness and accuracy.An application of this technique for nonlinearity identification by experimental setup is also illustrated.

Simulation of 3D parachute fluid–structure interaction based on nonlinear finite element method and preconditioning finite volume method

A fluid–structure interaction method combining a nonlinear finite element algorithm with a preconditioning finite volume method is proposed in this paper to simulate parachute transient dynamics. This method uses a three-dimensional membrane–cable fabric model to represent a parachute system at a highly folded configuration. The large shape change during parachute inflation is computed by the nonlinear Newton–Raphson iteration and the linear system equation is solved by the generalized minimal residual（GMRES） method. A membrane wrinkling algorithm is also utilized to evaluate the special uniaxial tension state of membrane elements on the parachute canopy. In order to avoid large time expenses during structural nonlinear iteration, the implicit Hilber–Hughes–Taylor（HHT） time integration method is employed. For the fluid dynamic simulations, the Roe and HLLC（Harten–Lax–van Leer contact） scheme has been modified and extended to compute flow problems at all speeds. The lower–upper symmetric Gauss–Seidel（LUSGS） approximate factorization is applied to accelerate the numerical convergence speed. Finally,the test model of a highly folded C-9 parachute is simulated at a prescribed speed and the results show similar characteristics compared with experimental results and previous literature.