Determination of the Minimum Testing Time for Wireline Formation Testing with the Finite Element Method

The wireline formation tester （WFT） is an important tool for formation evaluation, such as calculating the formation pressure and permeability, identifying the fluid type, and determining the interface between oil and water. However, in a low porosity and low permeability formation, the supercharge pressure effect exists, since the mudcake has a poor sealing ability. The mudcake cannot isolate the hydrostatic pressure of the formation around the borehole and the mud seeps into the formations, leading to inaccurate formation pressure measurement. At the same time, the tool can be easily stuck in the low porosity/low permeability formation due to the long waiting and testing time. We present a method for determining the minimum testing time for the wireline formation tester. The pressure distribution of the mudcake and the formation were respectively calculated with the finite element method （FEM）. The radius of the influence of mud pressure was also computed, and the minimum testing time in low porosity/low permeability formations was determined within a range of values for different formation permeabilities. The determination of the minimum testing time ensures an accurate formation pressure measurement and minimizes possible accidents due to long waiting and testing time.

MIXED COMPATIBLE ELEMENT AND MIXED HYBRID INCOMPATIBLE ELEMENT VARIATIONAL METHODS IN DYNAMICS OF VISCOUS BAROTROPIC FLUIDS

This paper presents and proves the mixed compatible finite element variationalprinciples in dynamics of viscous barotropic fluids. When the principles are proved, itis found that the compatibility conditions of stress can be naturally satisfied. The gene-rallzed variational principles with mixed hybrid incompatible finite elements are alsopresented and proved, and they can reduce the computation of incompatible elements indynamics of viscous barotropic flows.

Functions for patch test in finite element analysis of the Mindlin plate and the thin cylindrical shell

Current patch test for Mindlin plate element only satisfies the zero shear deformation condition.The patch test of non-zero constant shear for Mindlin plate problem cannot be performed.For shell element, the patch test does not even exist.Based on the theory of enhanced patch test proposed by Chen W J (2006),the authors proposed the enhanced patch test function for Mindlin plate and thin cylindrical shell elements.This enhanced patch test function can be used to assess the convergence of the Mindlin plate and cylindrical thin shell elements.

Finite element analyses of Wanjiazhai water transmission tunnel excavation and service

This paper is devoted to the nonlinear stress and strain analysis oftunneling and working conditions of Wanjiazhai Division Project No.7 Tunnel in Shanxi province ofChina. The initial geological stress of loess was simulated by grading fill; the theory of unloadingproposed by Duncan and boundary stress of elasticity were used to calculate the excavation of thetunnel; Goodman joint elements were applied to simulate the joints of the liners; both loading andunloading tests have been performed to determine the parameters of Duncan-Chang's model and thecalculated results were compared; Terzaghi' s theory on loosening earth pressure was applied. Manyworking conditions were analyzed and some reasonable results were obtained. Based on the analyses,reparative measures were proposed and completed. The tunnel has functioned well since October, 2001.

Modeling and finite element analysis of transduction process of electromagnetic acoustic transducers for nonferromagnetic metal material testing

Facing the problems lack of considering the non-uniform distribution of the static bias magnetic field and computing the panicle displacements in the simulation model of electromagnetic acoustic transducer （EMAT）, a multi-field coupled model was established and the finite element method （FEM） was presented to calculate the entire transduction process. The multi-field coupled model included the static magnetic field, pulsed eddy current field and mechanical field. The FEM equations of the three fields were derived by Garlerkin FEM method. Thus, the entire transduction process of the EMAT was calculated through sequentially coupling the three fields. The transduction process of a Lamb wave EMAT was calculated according to the present model and method. The results show that, by the present method, it is valid to calculate the particle displacement under the given excitation signal and non-uniformly distributed static magnetic field. Calculation error will be brought about if the non-uniform distribution of the static bias magnetic field is neglected.

Mechanical properties of silicon nanobeams with an undercut evaluated by combining the dynamic resonance test and finite element analysis

Mechanical properties of silicon nanobeams are of prime importance in nanoelectromechanical system applications. A numerical experimental method of determining resonant frequencies and Young＇s modulus of nanobeams by combining finite element analysis and frequency response tests based on an electrostatic excitation and visual detection by using a laser Doppler vibrometer is presented in this paper. Silicon nanobeam test structures are fabricated from silicon-oninsulator wafers by using a standard lithography and anisotropic wet etching release process, which inevitably generates the undercut of the nanobeam clamping. In conjunction with three-dimensional finite element numerical simulations incorporating the geometric undercut, dynamic resonance tests reveal that the undercut significantly reduces resonant frequencies of nanobeams due to the fact that it effectively increases the nanobeam length by a correct value △L, which is a key parameter that is correlated with deviations in the resonant frequencies predicted from the ideal Euler-Bernoulli beam theory and experimentally measured data. By using a least-square fit expression including △L, we finally extract Young＇s modulus from the measured resonance frequency versus effective length dependency and find that Young＇s modulus of a silicon nanobeam with 200-nm thickness is close to that of bulk silicon. This result supports that the finite size effect due to the surface effect does not play a role in the mechanical elastic behaviour of silicon nanobeams with thickness larger than 200 nm.

Circuit-field coupled finite element analysis method for an electromagnetic acoustic transducer under pulsed voltage excitation

This paper presents an analytical method for electromagnetic acoustic transducers （EMATs） under voltage excitation and considers the non-uniform distribution of the biased magnetic field. A complete model of EMATs including the non-uniform biased magnetic field, a pulsed eddy current field and the acoustic field is built up. The pulsed voltage excitation is transformed to the frequency domain by fast Fourier transformation （FFT）. In terms of the time harmonic field equations of the EMAT system, the impedances of the coils under different frequencies are calculated according to the circuit-field coupling method and Poynting＇s theorem. Then the currents under different frequencies are calculated according to Ohm＇s law and the pulsed current excitation is obtained by inverse fast Fourier transformation （IFFT）. Lastly, the sequentially coupled finite element method （FEM） is used to calculate the Lorentz force in the EMATs under the current excitation. An actual EMAT with a two-layer two-bundle printed circuit board （PCB） coil, a rectangular permanent magnet and an aluminium specimen is analysed. The coil impedances and the pulsed current are calculated and compared with the experimental results. Their agreement verified the validity of the proposed method. Furthermore, the influences of lift-off distances and the non-uniform static magnetic field on the Lorentz force under pulsed voltage excitation are studied.

Finite Element Modeling and Design of Rectangular Patch Antenna with Different Feeding Techniques

The finite element modeling of three dimensional structures is important for researchers especially in the field of antennas and other domains of electromagnetic waves. This paper presents a finite element calculations and numerical analysis for the microstrip patch antennas. In this paper, two different designs have been modelled and analyzed and both designs are based on the rectangular patches. The feeding point of one design is inside the patch while the other design contains feeding point outside the patch is T shaped. The computational analysis showed some interesting results for radiation pattern and far field domain. For these designs, the characteristic impedance taken is 50 Ω and the operating frequency domain is 1.4 to 1.7 GHz. The microstrip patch antennas are encapsulated in the inert spherical atmosphere of 20 mm thickness containing air inside it.

AN EXACT ELEMENT METHOD FOR THE BENDING OF NONHOMOGENEOUS REISSNER’S PLATE

In this paper, based on the step reduction method and exaet analytic method, a new method, theexacl element method for constructing finite element, is presented. Since the near method doesn't need varialional principle, it can he applied to solve nun-positive and positive definite partial differcntial equations with arbitral varutble coefficients. By this method, a triangle noncompatible element with 15 degrees of freedom is derived to solve the bending of nonhomogenous Reissner's plate. Because the displacement parameters at the nodal point only contain deflection and rotation angle, it is convenient to deal with arbitrary boundary conditions. In this paper, the convergcnceof displacement and stress resultants is proved. The element obtained by the present method can be used for thin and thick plates as well, hour numerical examples are given at the end of this paper, which indicates that we can obtain satisfactory results and have higher numerical precision.

Rock Cutting Analysis Employing Finite and Discrete Element Methods

The petroleum industry has shown great interest in the study of drilling optimization on pre-salt formations given the low rates of penetration observed so far. Rate of penetration is the key to economically drill the pre-salt carbonate rock. This work presents the results of numerical modeling through finite element method and discrete element method for single cutter drilling in carbonate samples. The work is relevant to understand the mechanics of drill bit-rock interaction while drilling deep wells and the results were validated with experimental data raised under simulated downhole conditions. The numerical models were carried out under different geometrical configurations, varying the cutter chamfer size and back-rake angles. The forces generated on the cutter are translated into mechanical specific energy as this parameter is often used to measure drilling efficiency. Results indicate that the chamfer size does not change significantly the mechanical specific energy values, characteristic. Results also show there is a significant increase although the cutter aggressiveness is influenced by this geometrical in drilling resistance for larger values of back-rake angle.

An Introductory Note on Finite Element Problems Based on the Eddy Current Testing Approach

The paper addresses the first eddy current benchmark problem proposed by the World Federation of Nondestructive Evaluation Centers (WFNDEC). The problem simulates the eddy current response to the presence of an axisymmetric circumferential defect in an Inconel-600 tube. All simulations employ the axisymmetric code of the electromagnetic field simulator Finite Element Method Magnetics. For three different frequencies of excitation, it is explained how the displacement of the detecting coil inside the tube leads to a variation in the impedance of the eddy current coil. Variations of the resistive and inductive components of the impedance with distance from the defect region are used to build the impedance trajectory for each frequency of analysis.

Mechanical properties of silicon nanobeams with an undercut evaluated by combining the dynamic resonance test and finite element analysis

Mechanical properties of silicon nanobeams are of prime importance in nanoelectromechanical system applications.A numerical experimental method of determining resonant frequencies and Young’s modulus of nanobeams by combining finite element analysis and frequency response tests based on an electrostatic excitation and visual detection by using a laser Doppler vibrometer is presented in this paper.Silicon nanobeam test structures are fabricated from silicon-oninsulator wafers by using a standard lithography and anisotropic wet etching release process,which inevitably generates the undercut of the nanobeam clamping.In conjunction with three-dimensional finite element numerical simulations incorporating the geometric undercut,dynamic resonance tests reveal that the undercut significantly reduces resonant frequencies of nanobeams due to the fact that it effectively increases the nanobeam length by a correct value △L,which is a key parameter that is correlated with deviations in the resonant frequencies predicted from the ideal Euler-Bernoulli beam theory and experimentally measured data.By using a least-square fit expression including △L,we finally extract Young’s modulus from the measured resonance frequency versus effective length dependency and find that Young’s modulus of a silicon nanobeam with 200-nm thickness is close to that of bulk silicon.This result supports that the finite size effect due to the surface effect does not play a role in the mechanical elastic behaviour of silicon nanobeams with thickness larger than 200 nm.

Numerical simulation of plate rigid restraint cracking tests based on cohesive element model

Cohesive element is developed from the Dugdal-Barenblatt model in the field of fracture mechanics. The mechanical constitutive relation of cohesive element can be artificially assumed depending on the specific applications. It has been successfully applied in the study of crystal plasticity/brittle fracture process and decohesion between delaminations. In this paper, tensile experiments of large steel plate with different length of pre-existing cracks are conducted. Based on commercial software ABAQUS, cohesive element is adopted to simulate the tensile tests, and appropriate parameter values are obtained by fitting displacement-force curves. Using these parameters, a numerical method is presented by applying cohesive element to thermo-elastic-plastic finite element method （TEP-FEM） to simulate plate rigid restraint cracking （PRRC） tests. By changing constitutive relation of cohesive element, dimensions of the model and welding conditions, the influence of welding restraint intensity and welding conditions on the crack propagation are discussed, respectively. Three types of welding cold cracking are simulated. Significant influence of welding cold cracking on resistant stress in welding line is captured by this numerical method.

Simulation study on ultrasonic tomography for grouted reinforced concrete by finite element

A finite element reconstruction algorithm for ultrasound tomography based on the Helmholtz equation in frequency domain is presented to monitor the grouting defects in reinforced concrete structures.In this algorithm,a hybrid regularizations-based iterative Newton method is implemented to provide stable inverse solutions.Furthermore,a dual mesh scheme and an adjoint method are adopted to reduce the computation cost and improve the efficiency of reconstruction.Simultaneous reconstruction of both acoustic velocity and attenuation coefficient for a reinforced concrete model is achieved with multiple frequency data.The algorithm is evaluated with numerical simulation under various practical scenarios including varied transmission/receiving modes,different noise levels,different source/detector numbers,and different contrast levels between the heterogeneity and background region.Results obtained suggest that the algorithm is insensitive to noise,and the reconstructions are quantitatively accurate in terms of the location,size and acoustic properties of the target over a range of contrast levels.

Evaluation of interfacial properties in SiC composites using an improved cohesive element method

A two-dimensional axisymmetric finite element model based on an improved cohesive element method was developed to simulate interfacial debonding, sliding friction, and residual thermal stresses in SiC composites during single-fiber push-out tests to extract the interfacial bond strength and frictional stress. The numerical load–displacement curves agree well with experimental curves,indicating that this cohesive element method can be used for calculating the interfacial properties of SiC composites.The simulation results show that cracks are most likely to occur at the ends of the experimental sample, where the maximum shear stress is observed and that the interfacial shear strength and constant sliding friction stress decrease with an increase in temperature. Moreover, the load required to cause complete interfacial failure increases with the increase in critical shear strength, and the composite materials with higher fiber volume fractions have higher bearing capacities. In addition, the initial failure load increases with an increase in interphase thickness.

A Comparative Study of Stress Recovery Method and Error Estimation of Plate Bending Problem Using DKMQ Element

Recovery by Equilibrium in Patches (REP) is a recovery method introduced by B. Boroomand. This method is using patch as recovery media as is used by Superconvergent Patch Recovery (SPR) which is well known as a good recovery method. In this research, a numerical study of REP implementation is held to estimate error in finite element analysis using DKMQ element. The numerical study is performed with both uniform and adaptive h-type mesh refinement. The result is compared with three other recovery method, i.e. SPR method, averaging method, and projection method.

Flexibility of the Lumbar Intervertebral Disc in Bending and Torsion： Experimental and Finite Element Study

Intervertebral disc flexibility is influenced by lifestyle, loading history, trauma, preexisting conditions, age and degeneration. With regard to degeneration, intervertebral discs become less flexible and stiffer. In this study, a testing protocol using bending and torsion loading was developed to gain the flexibility curves and stiffness often cadaveric lumbar discs. Measurements of rotation in the sagittal plane （flexion-extension）, coronal plane （right-lefl lateral bending） and transverse plane （torsion） due to a 5 N-m load are reported. Results show that overall normal discs are more flexible and behave in a nonlinear fashion. The testing results were used in a develop t＇mite element model of an intervertebral disc to investigate the stresses and strains in the disc components： annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus with regard to degeneration. Simulation of bending and torsion loadings show large strains in the annulus and nucleus from a normal disc, in contrast higher stresses develop in the annulus from a degenerated disc. The proposed methodology is novel, versatile, functional and economic with implications in bioengineering, medical sciences and the clinical field.

C^0 and C^1 theories and test functions for FEM patch test in microstructures

Among many theories and categories in microstructures,rotation-displacement used as "independent" or "dependent" variables,is a noticeable topic. In FEM,it is called C0 and C1 theory. The convergence criteria of finite elements for microstructures are less mature than those for the conventional thin plate bending problem. In this paper,the patch test functions for assessing convergence of the C0 and C1 finite elements in microstructures is established based on the enhanced patch test theory. The author has further explored the C0 and C1 finite element theories and investigated the difference and correlation between their finite element formulations. Newly proposed finite element theories for microstructures are as follows:(1) the displacement-rotation dependent C1 element that requires the element function satisfying both C0 and C1 continuity;(2) the displacement-rotation independent C0 element which requires new convergence criteria,such as non-zero constant shear stress patch test and zero constant shear stress patch test for approximating C1 element.

Relationship between repeated triaxial test and Hamburg wheel tracking test on asphalt mixtures

Both the repeated triaxial test （RTT） and the Hamburg wheel tracking test （HWTT） are adopted to evaluate the high temperature performance of the stone mastic asphalt （SMA） and the mastic asphalt （MA）. The correlation of the permanent deformations of the MA and the correlation of the deformation developments of the SMA between the two tests are analyzed, respectively. Results show that both the two tests can effectively identify the high temperature performance of mixtures, and the correlation between the final results of the two tests as well as that between the deformation developments of the two tests are excellent with R20.9. In order to further prove the correlation, viscoelastic parameters estimated from the RTT results is used to simulate the rutting development in the HWTT slabs by the finite element method （FEM）. Results indicate that the correlation between the two tests is significant with errors less than 10%. It is suitable to predict the rutting development with the viscoelastic parameters obtained from the RTT.

Dynamic analysis and modal test of long-span cable-stayed bridge based on ambient excitation

To study the stiffness distribution of girder and the method to identify modal parameters of cable-stayed bridge, a simplified dynamical finite element method model named three beams model was established for the girder with double ribs. Based on the simplified model four stiffness formulae were deduced according to Hamilton principle. These formulae reflect well the contribution of the flexural, shearing, free torsion and restricted torsion deformation, respectively. An identification method about modal parameters was put forward by combining method of peak value and power spectral density according to modal test under ambient excitation. The dynamic finite element method analysis and modal test were carried out in a long-span concrete cable-stayed bridge. The results show that the errors of frequencies between theoretical analysis and test results are less than 10% mostly, and the most important modal parameters for cable-stayed bridge are determined to be the longitudinal floating mode, the first vertical flexural mode and the first torsional mode, which demonstrate that the method of stiffness distribution for three beams model is accurate and method to identify modal parameters is effective under ambient excitation modal test.