Finite element failure analysis of continuous prestressed concrete box girders

In order to analyze the load carrying capacity of prestressed concrete box girders, failure behaviors of in-situ deteriorated continuous prestressed concrete box girders under loading are experimentally observed and a finite failure analysis method for predicting behaviors of box girders is developed. A degenerated solid shell element is used to simulate box girders and material nonlinearity is considered. Since pre-stressed concrete box girders usually have a large number of curve prestressed tendons, a type of combined element is presented to simulate the prestressed tendons of box girders, and then the number of elements can be significantly reduced. The analytical results are compared with full-scale failure test results. The comparison shows that the presented method can be effectively applied to the failure analysis of in-situ continuous prestressed concrete box girders, and it also shows that the studied old bridge still has enough load carrying capacity.

Finite element analysis of temperature field during multi-layer multi-pass weld-based rapid prototyping

During weld-bused rapid prototyping, the component experiences complex thermal process. In this paper, the temperature field evolution, thermal cycle characteristics, and temperature gradients of multi-layer multi-puss weld-based rapid prototyping are investigated using three-dimensional finite element models presented. The single-puss weld-bused rapid prototyping experiment is carried out. Thermal cycles calculated agree with experimental measurements. Furthermore, simulated results indicate that there exist the pre-heating effect of the fore layer and the post-heating effect of the rear layer in the multi-layer multi-pass weld-based rapid prototyping. In the first layer, the heat accumulates obviously. After the first layer, the dimension increase of the high temperature region behind the molten pool is not obvious. The heat diffusion condition in the first layer is the best, the heat diffusion condition in the second layer is the worst, and the heat diffusion conditions in the higher layers improve gradually.

Finite Element Analysis of the Temperature Distribution in Orthogonal Metal Machining

Aim To Research the temperature distribution in orthogonal metal machining and to build a finite element analysis model about the temperature distribution. Methods With the finite element method of thermal conduction, the temperature distributions in various machining conditions were computed according to the experimental data such as cutting force, shear angle, etc. Results The computational results agree with some classic experimental results, and thermal effect due to process parameters was observed. Conclusion The finite element analysis model is reasonable, and it's a feasible scheme for studying the temperature distribution in orthogonal metal machining system.

Neumann stochastic finite element method for calculating temperature field of frozen soil based on random field theory

To study the effect of uncertain factors on the temperature field of frozen soil, we propose a method to calculate the spatial average variance from just the point variance based on the local average theory of random fields. We model the heat transfer coefficient and specific heat capacity as spatially random fields instead of traditional random variables. An analysis for calculating the random temperature field of seasonal frozen soil is suggested by the Neumann stochastic finite element method, and here we provide the computational formulae of mathematical expectation, variance and variable coefficient. As shown in the calculation flow chart, the stochastic finite element calculation program for solving the random temperature field, as compiled by Matrix Laboratory （MATLAB） sottware, can directly output the statistical results of the temperature field of frozen soil. An example is presented to demonstrate the random effects from random field parameters, and the feasibility of the proposed approach is proven by compar- ing these results with the results derived when the random parameters are only modeled as random variables. The results show that the Neumann stochastic finite element method can efficiently solve the problem of random temperature fields of frozen soil based on random field theory, and it can reduce the variability of calculation results when the random parameters are modeled as spatial- ly random fields.

Finite element analysis of temperature and stress fields during selective laser melting process of Al−Mg−Sc−Zr alloy

A 3D finite element model was established to investigate the temperature and stress fields during the selective laser melting process of Al−Mg−Sc−Zr alloy.By considering the powder−solid transformation,temperaturedependent thermal properties,latent heat of phase transformations and molten pool convection,the effects of laser power,point distance and hatch spacing on the temperature distribution,molten pool dimensions and residual stress distribution were investigated.Then,the effects of laser power,point distance and hatch spacing on the microstructure,density and hardness of the alloy were studied by the experimental method.The results show that the molten pool size gradually increases as the laser power increases and the point distance and hatch spacing decrease.The residual stress mainly concentrates in the middle of the first scanning track and the beginning and end of each scanning track.Experimental results demonstrate the accuracy of the model.The density of the samples tends to increase and then decrease with increasing laser power and decreasing point distance and hatch spacing.The optimum process parameters are laser power of 325−375 W,point distance of 80−100μm and hatch spacing of 80μm.

Finite element model of reinforcement corrosion in concrete

A nonlinear finite element model （FEM） of the corrosion of steel reinforcement in concrete has been successfully developed on the basis of mathematical analysis of the electrochemical process of steel corrosion in concrete. The influences of the area ratio and the Tafel constants of the anode and cathode on the potential and corrosion current density have been examined with the model. It has been found that the finite element calculation is more suitable for assessing the corrosion condition of steel reinforcement than ordinary electrochemical techniques due to the fact that FEM can obtain the distributions of potential and corrosion current density on the steel surface. In addition, the local corrosion of steel reinforcement in concrete is strengthened with the decrease of both the area ratio and the Tafel constants. These results provide valuable information to the researchers who investigate steel corrosion.

Solution precision of concrete temperature fields with finite difference method

With the finite difference method to calculate the temperature distribution in mass concrete structures, the solution precision will increase with a smaller step size, at the cost of computational time. In view of the basic characteristics of the finite difference method, a simple yet powerful improvement is introduced. By multiplying the adiabatic temperature function with a correction factor, the precision of the solution can be assured without an increase in the computation time. In addition, the correction rules for three types of commonly used concrete hydration formulas are investigated.

Analytical study of performance evaluation for seismic retrofitting of reinforced concrete building using 3D dynamic nonlinear finite element analysis

This paper presents three-dimensional finite element （FE） analyses of an all-frame model of a three-story reinforced concrete （RC） building damaged in the 1999 Taiwan Chi-Chi Earthquake. Non-structural brick walls of the building acted as a seismic resistant element although their contributions were neglected in the design. Hence, the entire structure of a typical frame was modeled and static and dynamic nonlinear analyses were conducted to evaluate the contributions of the brick walls. However, the results of the analyses were considerably overestimated due to coarse mesh discretizations, which were unavoidable due to limited computer resources. This study corrects the overestimations by modifying （1） the tensile strengths and （2） shear stiffness reduction factors of concrete and brick. The results indicate that brick walls improve frame strength although shear failures are caused in columns shortened by spandrel walls. Then, the effectiveness of three types of seismic retrofits is evaluated. The maximum drift of the first floor is reduced by 89.3%, 94.8%, and 27.5% by Steel-confined, FuI1-RC, and Full-brick models, respectively. Finally, feasibility analyses of models with soils were conducted. The analyses indicated that the soils elongate the natural period of building models although no significant differences were observed.

Finite Element Analysis and Linear Regression of Maximum Temperature for Inner Wall of Chimney Foundation

The uniform design method was adopted and the twenty-four groups of different geometric and physical pa-rameters were chosen. The finite element model was built. Comparisons between the simulation results and the test re-sults prove that the simulation results are correct. The distribution of the temperature field of the chimney foundationwas analyzed. The multivariate linear regression of the hightest tomperature was performed on the inner wall of thechimney foundation by the numerical calculated results. The fitting property of the highest temperature with six influ-ence factors was obtained. A simple method for the calculation of the temperature field of the chimney foundation wasprovided.

Finite element simulation of three-dimensional temperature field in underwater welding

Mathematical models of three-dimensional temperature fields in underwater welding with moving heat sources are built. Double ellipsoid Gauss model is proposed as heat sources models. Several factors which affect the temperature fields of underwater welding are analyzed. Water has little influence on thermal efftciency. Water convection coefftcient varies with the temperature difference between the water and the workpiece , and water convection makes molten pool freeze quickly. With the increase of water depth, the dimensions of heat sources model should be reduced as arc shrinks. Finite element technology is used to solve mathematical models. ANSYS software is used as finite element tool, and ANSYS Parametric Design Language is used to develop subprograms for loading the moving heat sources and the various convection coefftcients. Experiment results show that computational results by using double ellipsoid Gauss heat sources model accord well with the experimental results.

Cracking Propagation of Hardening Concrete Based on the Extended Finite Element Method

Self-deformation cracking is the cracking caused by thermal deformation, autogenous volume deformation or shrinkage deformation. In this paper, an extended finite element calculation method was deduced for concrete crack propagation under a constant hydration and hardening condition during the construction period, and a corresponding programming code was developed. The experimental investigation shows that initial crack propagation caused by self-deformation loads can be analyzed by this program. This improved algorithm was a preliminary application of the XFEM to the problem of the concrete self-deformation cracking during the hydration and hardening period. However, room for improvement exists for this algorithm in terms of matching calculation programs with mass concrete temperature fields containing cooling pipes and the influence of creep or damage on crack propagation.

Application of Wavelet Finite Element Method to Simulation of the Temperature Field of Copier Paper

Simulation of the temperature field of copier paper in copier fusing is very important for improving the fusing property of reprography. The temperature field of copier paper varies with a high gradient when the copier paper is moving through the fusing rollers. By means of conventional shaft elements, the high gradient temperature variety causes the oscillation of the numerical solution. Based on the Daubechies scaling functions, a kind of wavelet based element is constructed for the above problem. The temperature field of the copier paper moving through the fusing rollers is simulated using the two methods. Comparison of the results shows the advantages of the wavelet finite element method, which provides a new method for improving the copier properties.

NONLINEAR FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF CONCRETE OFFSHORE PLATFORMS

Taking account of the progressive cracking and crushing of the concrete, the full-range nonlinear analysis has been made for a R.C. Structure, from loading to cracking until crushing for some elements. The diagrams showing the distribution of the stresses and the horizontal displacements and the pictures showing the cracking and crushing of the concrete are given. This paper also gives the comparison between the results of nonlinear analysis and linear analysis.

Finite Element Analysis of Shrinkage in the Interface of Functionally Graded Concrete Segment Used in Shield Tunneling

In functionally graded materials (FGM), the problem of interface stability caused by the volume deformation is commonly regarded as the key factor for its performance. Based on test results, in terms of finite element method (FEM) this paper analyzed problems in the shrinkage of functionally graded material interface of shield concrete segment, which was designed and produced by the principle of functionally graded materials. In the analysis model, the total shrinkage of concrete was converted into the thermal shrinkage by means of the method of 'Equivalent Temperature Difference'. Consequently, the shrinkage stress of interface layer was calculated and compared with the bond strength of interface layer. The results indicated that the volume deformation of two-phase materials of functionally graded concrete (FGC) segment, which were the concrete cover and the concrete structure layer, showed better compatibility and the tension stress of interface layer, which was resulted from the shrinkage of concrete and calculated by ANSYS, was less than the bond strength of interface layer. Therefore, the interface stability of functionally graded concrete segment was good and the sliding deformation of interface layer would not generate.

Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis of Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete Deep Beams

By the nonlinear finite element analysis （FEA） method, the mechanical properties of the steel fiber reinforced concrete （SFRC） deep beams were discussed in terms of the crack load and ultimate bearing capacity. In the simulation process, the ANSYS parametric design language （APDL） was used to set up the finite element model; the model of bond stress-slip relationship between steel bar and concrete was established. The nonlinear FEA results and test results demonstrated that the steel fiber can not only significantly improve the cracking load and ultimate bearing capacity of the concrete but also repress the development of the cracks. Meanwhile, good agreement was found between the experimental data and FEA results, if the unit type, the parameter model and the failure criterion are selected reasonably.

Simulation of Temperature and Flow Field by Three Dimension Finite ElementMethod for Castex Process of AS Wire

Castex of AS wire is a new technology of near net shape. To study the variation of temperature and velocity of liquid (or semisolid) aluminum during dynamic solidification the numerical simulation was carried out with the theory of heat-transfer and hydrodynamics by means of 3-dimensional finite element method. From simulation results, it is found that the variation of temperature and velocityis mainly influenced by the casting temperature of aluminum, rotating speed of Castex wheel and flow of cooling water. Among theseinfluencing factors, the casting temperature distributes most to the length of liquid phase metal. Moreover, the faster the metal solidifies,the higher the metal there moves with the overall trend of descending from the bottom of the wheel to the shoe wall as well as from sidewalls to the center of wheel groove. In comparison with the practical value, the simulation is reliable.

Finite element analysis on temperature field and residual stress of welding assembly for I-beam and end-plate

Based on full scale model of 1-beam and end-plate welding assembly with medium plate, welding temperature field and residual stress were simulated, infrared thermometers were employed to measure the real-time temperature Jbr verification purposes. Results show that the measured thermal cycle curves match well with the simulation result. Simulation results of welding residual stress indicate that the values of longitudinal and transverse stress on the upper surface of the plate are higher than the normal stress; higher tensile stresses exist at the end of the web weld toes and in the central area of the flange weld toes. The dangerous zones are located at the central areas of weld toes of the flange welds and near weld toes of the web welds.

Optimal Design Strategies of Femur Tumor Hyperthermia Based on Finite Element Analysis of Temperature Field

A 3D femoral model was built to obtain the three-dimensional temperature distribution of femur and its surrounding tissues and provide references for clinical applications. According to the relationship between gray-value and material properties,the model was assigned with various materials to make sure that it is more similar to the real femur in geometry and physical properties. 3D temperature distribution is obtained by using finite element analysis software ANSYS 11. 0 on the basis of heat conduction theory,Laplace equation,Pennes bio-heat transfer equation,thermo physical parameters of bone tissues,the boundary condition,and initial conditions. Taken the asymmetry of the 3D distribution of temperature into account,it is necessary to adopt the heating method with multiple heat sources. This method can ensure that the temperature fields match well with the tumor tissues and kill the tumor cells efficiently under the condition of protecting the normal tissues from damage. The analysis results supply important guidance for determining the needle position and the needle number and controlling the intensity of heating.

Vacuum electron beam brazing technology and finite element analysis on temperature field of capillary to plate joint

Some parts with capillary to plate joint have important application in aerocrafi. Vacuum electron beam brazing （VEBB） technology is used to realize this jointing with capillaries. Firstly 3D finite element analysis model is built in this paper according to this special structure. And then ANSYS finite element analysis software is used to analyze brazing temperature field at different brazing parameters. The calculation results show that the temperature field of simulation has good agreement with that measured by experiment, which proves dependence of the model built in this paper. And also reference parameters could be provided for real brazing process through calculation in this model. Brazed joint of capiUary to plate with good performance is achieved using VEBB technology. The achievement of the study will be applied in aerocrafi in the future.

Finite Element Method for Design of Reinforced Concrete Offshore Platforms

A design method of reinforced concrete (R. C.) offshore platforms with nonlinear finite element analysis is proposed. According to the method, a computer program is developed. In this program nonlinear constitutive relationships and strength criteria of concrete and steel bars are included, and the progressive cracking and crushing of the concrete are taken into account. Based on the stress distribution obtained by the nonlinear finite element analysis, the amount of reinforcement in the control sections can be computed and adjusted automatically by the program to satisfy the requirement of the design. The amount of reinforcement required in the control sections, which are obtained with the nonlinear finite element analysis, is agreeable to that obtained in the experiment. This shows that the design method of R. C. offshore platform with the nonlinear finite element method proposed by the authors is reliable for practical use.