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.

VARIATIONAL PRINCIPLES OF PERFORATED THIN PLATES AND FINITE ELEMENT METHOD FOR BUCKLING AND POST-BUCKLING ANALYSIS

On the basis of the general theory of perforated thin plates under large deflections, variational principles with deflection w and stress function F as variables are stated in detail.Based on these princi- ples,finite element method is established for analysing the buckling and post-buckling of perforated thin plates. It is found that the property of element is very complicated,owing to the multiple connexity of the region.

Finite element analysis of anchor plates using non-coaxial models

The non-coaxial model simulating the non-coincidence between the principal stresses and the principal plastic strain rates is employed within the framework of finite element method（FEM） to predict the behaviors of anchors embedded in granular material.The non-coaxial model is developed based on the non-coaxial yield vertex theory,and the elastic and conventional coaxial plastic deformations are simulated by using elasto-perfectly plastic Drucker-Prager yield function according to the original yield vertex theory.Both the horizontal and vertical anchors with various embedment depths are considered.Different anchor shapes and soil friction and dilation angles are also taken into account.The predictions indicate that the use of non-coaxial models leads to softer responses,compared with those using conventional coaxial models.Besides,the predicted ultimate pulling capacities are the same for both coaxial and non-coaxial models.The non-coaxial influences increase with the increasing embedment depths,and circular anchors lead to larger non-coaxial influences than strip anchors.In view of the fact that the design of anchors is mainly determined by their displacements,ignoring the non-coaxiality in finite element numerical analysis can lead to unsafe results.

Finite element analysis on impact of foundation treatment in bridgehead transition section upon bridge piles

In order to decrease relative settlement, foundation treatment plays an extremely important role in bridgehead transition section, especially, the situation of building the bridge piles firstly, and then processing piles. On the basis of engineering practice, the authors analyzed the influence of foundation treatment on bridge piles in bridgehead transition section by finite-element method (FEM). This research has positive significance in predicting displacement of bridge pile, directing construction of foundation treatment, and improving quality of engineering and so forth.

Three-dimensional finite element analysis on effects of tunnel construction on nearby pile foundation

A three-dimensional finite element simulation was carried out to investigate the effects of tunnel construction on nearby pile foundation.The displacement controlled model (DCM) was used to simulate the tunneling-induced volume loss effects.The numerical model was verified based on the results of a centrifuge test and a set of parametric studies was implemented based on this model.There is good agreement between the trend of the results of the centrifuge test and the present model.The results of parametric studies show that the tunnelling-induced pile internal force and deformation depend mainly on the pile?tunnel distance,the pile length to tunnel depth ratio and the volume loss.Two different zones are separated by a 45° line projected from the tunnel springline.Within the zone of influence,the pile is subjected to tensile force and large settlement;whereas outside the zone of influence,dragload and small settlement are induced.It is also established that the impact of tunnelling on a pile group is substantially smaller as compared with a single pile in the same location with the rear pile in a group,demonstrating a positive pile group effect.

Finite element analysis of elasto-plastic plate bending problems using transition rectangular plate elements

In this work, the finite element analysis of the elasto-plastic plate bending problems is carried out using transition rectangular plate elements. The shape functions of the transition plate elements are derived based on a practical rule. The transition plate elements are all quadrilateral and can be used to obtain efficient finite element models using minimum number of elements. The mesh convergence rates of the models including the transition elements are compared with the regular element models. To verify the developed elements, simple tests are demonstrated and various elasto-plastic problems are solved. Their results are compared with ANSYS results.

B-Spline Wavelet on Interval Finite Element Method for Static and Vibration Analysis of Stiffened Flexible Thin Plate

A new wavelet finite element method(WFEM)is constructed in this paper and two elements for bending and free vibration problems of a stiffened plate are analyzed.By means of generalized potential energy function and virtual work principle,the formulations of the bending and free vibration problems of the stiffened plate are derived separately.Then,the scaling functions of the B-spline wavelet on the interval(BSWI)are introduced to discrete the solving field variables instead of conventional polynomial interpolation.Finally,the corresponding two problems can be resolved following the traditional finite element frame.There are some advantages of the constructed elements in structural analysis.Due to the excellent features of the wavelet,such as multi-scale and localization characteristics,and the excellent numerical approximation property of the BSWI,the precise and efficient analysis can be achieved.Besides,transformation matrix is used to translate the meaningless wavelet coefficients into physical space,thus the resolving process is simplified.In order to verify the superiority of the constructed method in stiffened plate analysis,several numerical examples are given in the end.

3D finite element analysis on pile-soil interaction of passive pile group

The interaction between pile and soft soil of the passive pile group subjected to soil movement was analyzed with three-dimensional finite element model by using ANSYS software. The soil was assumed to be elastic-plastic complying with the Drucker-Prager yield criterion in the analysis. The large displacement of soil was considered and contact elements were used to evaluate the interaction between pile and soil. The influences of soil depth of layer and number of piles on the lateral pressure of the pile were investigated, and the lateral pressure distributions on the (2×1) pile group and on the (2×2) pile group were compared. The results show that the adjacent surcharge may result in significant lateral movement of the soft soil and considerable pressure on the pile. The pressure acting on the row near the surcharge is higher than that on the other row, due to the "barrier" and arching effects in pile groups. The passive load and its distribution should be taken into account in the design of the passive piles.

Finite element analysis of controlling the TC4 thin plate weldment wave-like deformation by welding with impacting rotation

The new technology of welding with impacting rotation is put forward to decrease the wave-like deformation of the TC4 thin plate weldment. The thermal stress and strain are vital to understand the mechanism of controlling the wave-like deformation. In order to know the development of internal thermal stress and strain, finite element method is utilized for- the stress and strain are difficult to be investigated by experimental methods during the welding process. Temperature field, thermal stress evolution and distortion of thin plate are compared with the test results such as weld thermal cycle, residual stress sectioning measurement, and the deflection of the thin plate respectively. By the finite element analysis and test results verification, the meehaaism of the technology to control the wave-like deformation is brought forward, non-uniform thermal elastic strain between compressive plastic region and elastic extensive region is diminished by a certain amount of extensive plastic deformation by welding with impacting rotation process.

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 Analysis Study of Prototype of a Novel Intramedullary Injectable Bioresorbable Polymer Fixator versus a Volar Plate for Surgical Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures

Complications and shortcomings of volar plating, which is very widely used for surgical treatment of distal radius fractures, are well known. Thus, there is scope for alternative innovative surgical methods. In the present work, we used the finite element analysis method to compare the biomechanical performance of a model of a construct comprising a simulated distal radius fracture considered fixated using a notional intramedullary injectable bioresorbable polymer-bioresorbable balloon osteosynthesis system (“fixator”) versus using a commercially-available volar locking plate (VP). The biomechanical parameters determined were longitudinal stiffness and factor of safety under each of the applied loads.?For the fixator model, 1) each of the biomechanical parameters was markedly influenced by fracture gap fill ratio (FGFR) (defined as the proportion of the volume of the fracture gap that is considered occupied by the expanded polymer-filled balloon)?but not by modulus of elasticity assigned to the polymer;2) with FGFR = 100%, stiffness was comparable to that of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy VP construct model;and 3) stiffness was within the range of literature values for stiffness of constructs comprising simulated fractures in fresh cadaveric distal radii fixated using metal volar locking plate. These results suggest that the fixator may be an alternative modality to metal volar plating and, as such, deserves further evaluation.

Finite element analysis of the treatment of middle clavicle fracture with wing plate internal fixation

Objective:To investigate the mechanical properties of a new type of biplane locking plate with wings in the treatment of middle clavicle fractures.Methods:Based on the CT data of a healthy adult male volunteer’s clavicle,a three-dimensional finite element model of the middle clavicle fracture was constructed by digital three-dimensional reconstruction technology,and the two kinds of fixation methods of single-plane locking plate(SP)and wing plate(WP)were simulated.Four load cases of axial compression,axial torsion,cantilever bending and pull-out were used to analyze the models.Results:①Under axial compression,axial torsion,cantilever bending and pull-out conditions,compared with SP,the stiffness phase of WP increased by 1.47%,5.82%,1.51%and 3.96%respectively,and the strain energy decreased by 1.50%,5.39%,1.48%and 3.49%respectively.②The stress distribution characteristics of WP under various load conditions were similar to SP,and the high stress area was located around the screw hole of the steel plate above the fracture gap;③Under the pull-out condition of WP,the peak value of screw hole surface stress was greatly reduced compared with SP,especially in the screw hole on both sides of the wing screws,which had higher resistance to pull out.Conclusion:The load-bearing mode of WP under various load conditions is similar to that of SP,and the stability is slightly higher than that of SP and in terms of pull-out resistance,WP has more obvious advantages.The biplane locking plate with wings is expected to be a more ideal choice for patients with comminuted fracture of the middle clavicle or with osteoporosis.

Stochastic Finite Element Analysis of Plate and Shell Construction

The response of random plate and shell construction is analyzed with the stochastic finite element method (SFEM). Random material properties and geometric dimensions of construction are involved in this paper. A simplified isoparametric local average model is used to describe the random field. Numerical results of the examples indicate that the approach presented herein is an economical and efficient solution for such an analysis compared with Monte Carlo simulation (MCS).

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.

Seismic response comparison and sensitivity analysis of pile foundation in liquefiable and non-liquefiable soils

Case history investigations have shown that pile foundations are more critically damaged in liquefiable soils than non-liquefiable soils.This study examines the differences in seismic response of pile foundations in liquefiable and non-liquefiable soils and their sensitivity to numerical model parameters.A two-dimensional finite element(FE)model is developed to simulate the experiment of a single pile foundation centrifuge in liquefiable soil subjected to earthquake motions and is validated against real-world test results.The differences in soil-pile seismic response of liquefiable and non-liquefiable soils are explored.Specifically,the first-order second-moment method(FOSM)is used for sensitivity analysis of the seismic response.The results show significant differences in seismic response for a soil-pile system between liquefiable and non-liquefiable soil.The seismic responses are found to be significantly larger in liquefiable soil than in non-liquefiable soil.Moreover,the pile bending moment was mainly affected by the kinematic effect in liquefiable soil,while the inertial effect was more significant in non-liquefiable soil.The controlling parameters of seismic response were PGA,soil density,and friction angle in liquefiable soil,while the pile bending moment was mainly controlled by PGA,the friction angle of soil,and shear modulus of loose sand in non-liquefiable soil.

Analysis and design of axially loaded piles in rock

Despite significant advancements in in situ test techniques,construction practices,understanding of rock joint and rock mass behaviours,and numerical analysis methods,the design of bored concrete cast-insitu piles in rock is still largely based on the assessment of bearing capacity.However,for many of the rock conditions encountered,the bearing capacity of piles is a nebulous concept and a figment of the designer’s imagination.Even if it can be reasonably quantified,it has little,if any,significance to the performance of a pile in rock.The load carrying capacity of even low strength rock(in most situations)is far in excess of the strength of the structure(for example,a building column)transmitting the load.Unsatisfactory performance of a pile in rock is usually a displacement issue and is a function of rock mass stiffness rather than rock mass strength.In addition,poor pile performance is much more likely to result from poor construction practices than excessive displacement of the rock mass.Exceptions occur for footings that are undermined,or where unfavourable structure in the rock allows movement towards a free surface to occur.Standards,codes of practices,reference books and other sources of design information should focus foundation design in rock on displacement rather than strength performance.Ground investigations should measure rock mass stiffness and defect properties,as well as intact rock strength.This paper summarises the fundamental concepts relating to performance of piles in rock and provides a basis for displacement focused design of piles in rock.It also presents comments relating to how piles are modelled in widely used commercial finite element software for soil-structure interaction analysis,within the context of the back-analysis of a pile load test,and proposes recommendations for pile analysis and design.

Numerical Analysis of the Settlement of Composite Foundation Reinforced with Crushed Stone Grouting Pile and Rigid Bearing Plate

This paper deals with a new type of crushed stone grouting pile with a rigid bearing plate. The load transfer characteristics were analyzed, and a settlement model of the composite foundation reinforced with crushed stone grouting pile and rigid bearing plate was built by FEM program. The effects of replacement ratio of capping plate, replacement ratio of pile, replacement ratio of grout diffusion zone, pile-soil modulus ratio, and serous-soil modulus ratio, on the composite foundation settlement were discussed. It is concluded that the proposed crushed stone grouting pile with a rigid bearing plate is effective in decreasing the settlement of composite foundation.

Three-Dimensional Thermo-Elastic-Plastic Finite Element Method Modeling for Predicting Weld-Induced Residual Stresses and Distortions in Steel Stiffened-Plate Structures

The objective of the present paper is to develop nonlinear finite element method models for predicting the weld-induced initial deflection and residual stress of plating in steel stiffened-plate structures. For this purpose, three-dimensional thermo-elastic-plastic finite element method computations are performed with varying plate thickness and weld bead length (leg length) in welded plate panels, the latter being associated with weld heat input. The finite element models are verified by a comparison with experimental database which was obtained by the authors in separate studies with full scale measurements. It is concluded that the nonlinear finite element method models developed in the present paper are very accurate in terms of predicting the weld-induced initial imperfections of steel stiffened plate structures. Details of the numerical computations together with test database are documented.

Three-Dimensional Stress Concentration Factor in Finite Width Plates with a Circular Hole

The three-dimensional stress concentration factor (SCF) at the edge of elliptical and circular holes in infinite plates under remote tension has been extensively investigated considering the variations of plate thickness, hole dimensions and material properties, such as the Poisson’s coefficient. This study employs three dimensional finite element modeling to numerically investigate the effect of plate width on the behavior of the SCF across the thickness of linear elastic isotropic plates with a through-the-thickness circular hole under remote tension. The problem is governed by two geometric non-dimensional parameters, i.e., the plate half-width to hole radius (W/r) and the plate thickness to hole radius (B/r) ratios. It is shown that for thin plates the value of the SCF is nearly constant throughout the thickness for any plate width. As the plate thickness increases, the point of maximum SCF shifts from the plate middle plane and approaches the free surface. When the ratio of plate half-width to hole radius (W/r) is greater than four, the maximum SCF was observed to approximate the theoretical value determined for infinite plates. When the plate width is reduced, the maximum SCF values significantly increase. A polynomial curve fitting was employed on the numerical results to generate empirical formulas for the maximum and surface SCFs as a function of W/r and B/r. These equations can be applied, with reasonable accuracy, to practical problems of structural strength and fatigue, for instance.