Multi-scale Modeling and Finite Element Analyses of Thermal Conductivity of 3D C/SiC Composites Fabricating by Flexible-Oriented Woven Process

Thermal conductivity is one of the most significant criterion of three-dimensional carbon fiber-reinforced SiC matrix composites(3D C/SiC).Represent volume element(RVE)models of microscale,void/matrix and mesoscale proposed in this work are used to simulate the thermal conductivity behaviors of the 3D C/SiC composites.An entirely new process is introduced to weave the preform with three-dimensional orthogonal architecture.The 3D steady-state analysis step is created for assessing the thermal conductivity behaviors of the composites by applying periodic temperature boundary conditions.Three RVE models of cuboid,hexagonal and fiber random distribution are respectively developed to comparatively study the influence of fiber package pattern on the thermal conductivities at the microscale.Besides,the effect of void morphology on the thermal conductivity of the matrix is analyzed by the void/matrix models.The prediction results at the mesoscale correspond closely to the experimental values.The effect of the porosities and fiber volume fractions on the thermal conductivities is also taken into consideration.The multi-scale models mentioned in this paper can be used to predict the thermal conductivity behaviors of other composites with complex structures.

Multi-Scale Design and Optimization of Composite Material Structure for Heavy-Duty Truck Protection Device

In this paper,to present a lightweight-developed front underrun protection device(FUPD)for heavy-duty trucks,plain weave carbon fiber reinforced plastic(CFRP)is used instead of the original high-strength steel.First,the mechanical and structural properties of plain carbon fiber composite anti-collision beams are comparatively analyzed from a multi-scale perspective.For studying the design capability of carbon fiber composite materials,we investigate the effects of TC-33 carbon fiber diameter(D),fiber yarn width(W)and height(H),and fiber yarn density(N)on the front underrun protective beam of carbon fiber compositematerials.Based on the investigation,a material-structure matching strategy suitable for the front underrun protective beam of heavy-duty trucks is proposed.Next,the composite material structure is optimized by applying size optimization and stack sequence optimization methods to obtain the higher performance carbon fiber composite front underrun protection beam of commercial vehicles.The results show that the fiber yarn height(H)has the greatest influence on the protective beam,and theH1matching scheme for the front underrun protective beamwith a carbon fiber composite structure exhibits superior performance.The proposed method achieves a weight reduction of 55.21% while still meeting regulatory requirements,which demonstrates its remarkable weight reduction effect.

Multi-scale context-aware network for continuous sign language recognition

The hands and face are the most important parts for expressing sign language morphemes in sign language videos.However,we find that existing Continuous Sign Language Recognition(CSLR)methods lack the mining of hand and face information in visual backbones or use expensive and time-consuming external extractors to explore this information.In addition,the signs have different lengths,whereas previous CSLR methods typically use a fixed-length window to segment the video to capture sequential features and then perform global temporal modeling,which disturbs the perception of complete signs.In this study,we propose a Multi-Scale Context-Aware network(MSCA-Net)to solve the aforementioned problems.Our MSCA-Net contains two main modules:(1)Multi-Scale Motion Attention(MSMA),which uses the differences among frames to perceive information of the hands and face in multiple spatial scales,replacing the heavy feature extractors;and(2)Multi-Scale Temporal Modeling(MSTM),which explores crucial temporal information in the sign language video from different temporal scales.We conduct extensive experiments using three widely used sign language datasets,i.e.,RWTH-PHOENIX-Weather-2014,RWTH-PHOENIX-Weather-2014T,and CSL-Daily.The proposed MSCA-Net achieve state-of-the-art performance,demonstrating the effectiveness of our approach.

Multi-scale simulation of diffusion behavior of deterrent in propellant

Concentration distribution of the deterrent in single-base propellant during the process of firing plays an important role in the ballistic properties of gun propellant in weapons. However, the diffusion coefficient calculated by molecular dynamics(MD) simulation is 6 orders of magnitude larger than the experimental values. Meanwhile, few simple and comprehensive theoretical models can explain the phenomenon and accurately predict the concentration distribution of the propellant. Herein, an onion model combining with MD simulation and finite element method of diffusion in propellants is introduced to bridge the gap between the experiments and simulations, and correctly predict the concentration distribution of deterrent. Furthermore, a new time scale is found to characterize the diffusion process. Finally, the time-and position-depended concentration distributions of dibutyl phthalate in nitrocellulose are measured by Raman spectroscopy to verify the correctness of the onion model. This work not only provides guidance for the design of the deterrent, but could be also extended to the diffusion of small molecules in polymer with different crystallinity.

The Multi-Scale Numerical Modeling System for Research on the Relationship between Urban Planning and Meteorological Environment

Considering the urban characteristics, a customized multi-scale numerical modeling system is established to simulate the urban meteorological environment. The system mainly involves three spatial scales: the urban scale, urban sub-domain scale, and single to few buildings scale. In it, different underlying surface types are employed, the building drag factor is used to replace its roughness in the influence on the urban wind field, the effects of building distribution, azimuth and screening of shortwave radiation are added, and the influence of anthropogenic heating is also taken into account. All the numerical tests indicate that the simulated results are reasonably in agreement with the observational data, so the system can be used to simulate the urban meteorological environment. Making use of it, the characteristics of the meteorological environment from the urban to urban sub-domain scales, even the among-buildings scale, can be recognized. As long as the urban planning scheme is given, the corresponding simulated results can be obtained so as to meet the need of optimizing urban planning.

A Multi-Scale Urban Atmospheric Dispersion Model for Emergency Management

To assist emergency management planning and prevention in case of hazardous chemical release into the atmosphere,especially in densely built-up regions with large populations,a multi-scale urban atmospheric dispersion model was established.Three numerical dispersion experiments,at horizontal resolutions of 10 m,50 m and 3000 m,were performed to estimate the adverse effects of toxic chemical release in densely built-up areas.The multi-scale atmospheric dispersion model is composed of the Weather Forecasting and Research （WRF） model,the Open Source Field Operation and Manipulation software package,and a Lagrangian dispersion model.Quantification of the adverse health effects of these chemical release events are given by referring to the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency＇s Acute Exposure Guideline Levels.The wind fields of the urban-scale case,with 3 km horizontal resolution,were simulated by the Beijing Rapid Update Cycle system,which were utilized by the WRF model.The sub-domain-scale cases took advantage of the computational fluid dynamics method to explicitly consider the effects of buildings.It was found that the multi-scale atmospheric dispersion model is capable of simulating the flow pattern and concentration distribution on different scales,ranging from several meters to kilometers,and can therefore be used to improve the planning of prevention and response programs.

Multi-scale modeling of hemodynamics in the cardiovascular system

The human cardiovascular system is a closed- loop and complex vascular network with multi-scaled het- erogeneous hemodynamic phenomena. Here, we give a selective review of recent progress in macro-hemodynamic modeling, with a focus on geometrical multi-scale model- ing of the vascular network, micro-hemodynamic modeling of microcirculation, as well as blood cellular, subcellular, endothelial biomechanics, and their interaction with arter- ial vessel mechanics. We describe in detail the methodology of hemodynamic modeling and its potential applications in cardiovascular research and clinical practice. In addition, we present major topics for future study： recent progress of patient-specific hemodynamic modeling in clinical applica- tions, micro-hemodynamic modeling in capillaries and blood cells, and the importance and potential of the multi-scale hemodynarnic modeling.

Surrogate-based modeling and dimension reduction techniques for multi-scale mechanics problems

Successful modeling and/or design of engineering systems often requires one to address the impact of multiple ＂design variables＂ on the prescribed outcome.There are often multiple,competing objectives based on which we assess the outcome of optimization.Since accurate,high fidelity models are typically time consuming and computationally expensive,comprehensive evaluations can be conducted only if an efficient framework is available.Furthermore,informed decisions of the model/hardware＇s overall performance rely on an adequate understanding of the global,not local,sensitivity of the individual design variables on the objectives.The surrogate-based approach,which involves approximating the objectives as continuous functions of design variables from limited data,offers a rational framework to reduce the number of important input variables,i.e.,the dimension of a design or modeling space.In this paper,we review the fundamental issues that arise in surrogate-based analysis and optimization,highlighting concepts,methods,techniques,as well as modeling implications for mechanics problems.To aid the discussions of the issues involved,we summarize recent efforts in investigating cryogenic cavitating flows,active flow control based on dielectric barrier discharge concepts,and lithium（Li）-ion batteries.It is also stressed that many multi-scale mechanics problems can naturally benefit from the surrogate approach for ＂scale bridging.＂

Numerical failure analysis of a continuous reinforced concrete bridge under strong earthquakes using multi-scale models

Previous failure analyses of bridges typically focus on substructure failure or superstructure failure separately. However, in an actual bridge, the seismic induced substructure failure and superstructure failure may influence each other. Moreover, previous studies typically use simplified models to analyze the bridge failure; however, there are inherent defects in the calculation accuracy compared with using a detailed three-dimensional （3D） finite element （FE） model. Conversely, a detailed 3D FE model requires more computational costs, and a proper erosion criterion of the 3D elements is necessary. In this paper, a multi-scale FE model, including a corresponding erosion criterion, is proposed and validated that can significantly reduce computational costs with high precision by modelling a pseudo-dynamic test of an reinforced concrete （RC） pier. Numerical simulations of the seismic failures of a continuous RC bridge based on the multi-scale FE modeling method using LS-DYNA are performed. The nonlinear properties of the bridge, various connection strengths and bidirectional excitations are considered. The numerical results demonstrate that the failure of the connections will induce large pounding responses of the girders. The nonlinear deformation of the piers will aggravate the pounding damages. Furthermore, bidirectional earthquakes will induce eccentric poundingsto the girders and different failure modes to the adjacent piers.

Multi-scale fatigue damage model for steel structures working under high temperature

In order to better understand the fatigue mechanisms of steel structures working under high temperature, a multi-scale fatigue damage model at high temperature is developed. In the developed model, the macroscopic fatigue damage of metallic materials due to the collective behavior of micro-cracks is quantified by using the generalized self-consistent method. The influence of temperature on fatigue damage of steel structures is quantified by using the previous creep damage model. In addition, the fatigue damage at room temperature and creep damage is coupled in the multi-scale fatigue damage model. The validity of the developed multi-scale damage model is verified by comparing the predicted damage evolution curve with the experimental data. It shows that the developed model is effectiveness. Finally, the fatigue analysis on steel crane runway girders (CRGs) of industrial steel melt shop is performed based on the developed model.

Multi-scale Simulation Method with Coupled Finite/Discrete Element Model and Its Application

The existing research on continuous structure is usually analyzed with finite element method (FEM) and granular medium with discrete element method (DEM), but there are few researches on the coupling interaction between continuous structure and discrete medium. To the issue of this coupling interaction, a multi-scale simulation method with coupled finite/discrete element model is put forward, in their respective domains of discrete and finite elements, the nodes follow force law and motion law of their own method, and on the their interaction interface, the touch type between discrete and finite elements is distinguished as two types: full touch and partial touch, the interaction force between them is calculated with linear elastic model. For full touch, the contact force is proportional to the overlap distance between discrete element and finite element patch. For partial touch, first the finite element patch is extended on all sides indefinitely to be a complete plane, the full contact force can be obtained with the touch type between discrete element and plane being viewed as full touch, then the full overlap area between them and the actual overlap area between discrete element and finite element patch are computed, the actual contact force is obtained by scaling the full contact force with a factor which is determined by the ratio of the actual overlap area to the full overlap area. The contact force is equivalent to the finite element nodes and the force and displacement on the nodes can be computed, so the ideal simulation results can be got. This method has been used to simulate the cutter disk of the earth pressure balance shield machine (EPBSM) made in North Heavy Industry (NHI) with its excavation diameter of 6.28 m cutting and digging the sandy clay layer. The simulation results show that as the gradual increase of excavating depth of the cutter head, the maximum stress occurs at the roots of cutters on the cutter head, while for the soil, the largest stress is distributed at the region which directly contacted with the cutters. The proposed research can provide good solutions for correct design and installation of cutters, and it is necessary to design mounting bracket to fix cutters on cutter head.

A multi-scale 3-D crust velocity model in the Hefei-Chao Lake area around the southern segment of Tanlu Fault Zone

Regional high-precision velocity models of the crust are an important foundation for examining seismic activity,seismogenic environments,and disaster distribution characteristics.The Hefei-Chao Lake area contains the main geological units of Hefei Basin,with thick sediments and the Chao Lake depression.Several major concealed faults of the southern NNE-trending Tanlu Fault Zone cross this area.To further explore the underground distribution characteristics of the faults and their tectonic evolutionary relationship with adjacent tectonic units,this study used ambient noise data recorded by a seismic array deployed in Hefei City and Chao Lake,constructing a 3-D velocity model at the depth of 1–8 km.Then a multi-scale high-resolution 3-D velocity model of this area was constructed by this new upper crustal velocity model with the previous middle and lower crustal model.The new model reveals that a high-velocity belt is highly consistent with the strike of the Tanlu Fault Zone,and a low-velocity sedimentary characteristic is consistent with the Hefei Basin and Chao Lake depression.The distribution morphology of high and low velocity bodies shows that the sedimentary pattern of Hefei-Chao Lake area is closely related to the tectonic evolution of the Tanlu Fault Zone since the Mesozoic.This study also identifies multiple low-velocity anomalies in the southeastern Hefei City.We speculate that strong ground motion during the 2009 Feidong earthquake(magnitude of 3.5)was related to amplification by the thick sediments in the Hefei Basin.We also discuss further applications of multi-scale high-resolution models of the shallow layer to strong ground motion simulations in cities and for earthquake disaster assessments.

Multi-scale elastoplastic mechanical model and microstructure damage analysis of solid expandable tubular

We present an in-depth study of the failure phenomenon of solid expandable tubular (SET) due to large expansion ratio in open holes of deep and ultra-deep wells. By examining the post-expansion SET, lots of microcracks are found on the inner surface of SET. Their morphology and parameters such as length and depth are investigated by use of metallographic microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM). In addition, the Voronoi cell technique is adopted to characterize the multi-phase material microstructure of the SET. By using the anisotropic elastoplastic material constitutive model and macro/microscopic multi-dimensional cross-scale coupled boundary conditions, a sophisticated and multi-scale finite element model (FEM) of the SET is built successfully to simulate the material microstructure damage for different expansion ratios. The microcrack initiation and growth is simulated, and the structural integrity of the SET is discussed. It is concluded that this multi-scale finite element modeling method could effectively predict the elastoplastic deformation and the microscopic damage initiation and evolution of the SET. It is of great significance as a theoretical analysis tool to optimize the selection of appropriate tubular materials and it could be also used to substantially reduce costly failures of expandable tubulars in the field. This numerical analysis is not only beneficial for understanding the damage process of tubular materials but also effectively guides the engineering application of the SET technology.

A thermodynamics-based three-scale constitutive model for partially saturated granular materials

A three-scale constitutive model for unsaturated granular materials based on thermodynamic theory is presented.The three-scale yield locus,derived from the explicit yield criterion for solid matrix,is developed from a series of discrete interparticle contact planes.The three-scale yield locus is sensitive to porosity changes;therefore,it is reinterpreted as a corresponding constitutive model without phenomenological parameters.Furthermore,a water retention curve is proposed based on special pore morphology and experimental observations.The features of the partially saturated granular materials are well captured by the model.Under wetting and isotropic compression,volumetric compaction occurs,and the degree of saturation increases.Moreover,the higher the matric suction,the greater the strength,and the smaller the volumetric compaction.Compared with the phenomenological Barcelona basic model,the proposed three-scale constitutive model has fewer parameters;virtually all parameters have clear physical meanings.

An Efficient Multi-Scale Modelling Approach for ssDNA Motion in Fluid Flow

The paper presents a multi-scale modelling approach for simulating macromolecules in fluid flows. Macromolecule transport at low number densities is frequently encountered in biomedical devices, such as separators, detection and analysis systems. Accurate modelling of this process is challenging due to the wide range of physical scales involved. The continuum approach is not valid for low solute concentrations, but the large timescales of the fluid flow make purely molecular simulations prohibitively expensive. A promising multi-scale modelling strategy is provided by the meta-modelling approach considered in this paper. Meta-models are based on the coupled solution of fluid flow equations and equations of motion for a simplified mechanical model of macromolecules. The approach enables simulation of individual macromolecules at macroscopic time scales. Meta-models often rely on particle-corrector algorithms, which impose length constraints on the mechanical model. Lack of robustness of the particle-corrector algorithm employed can lead to slow convergence and numerical instability. A new FAst Linear COrrector （FALCO） algorithm is introduced in this paper, which significantly improves computational efficiency in comparison with the widely used SHAKE algorithm. Validation of the new particle corrector against a simple analytic solution is performed and improved convergence is demonstrated for ssDNA motion in a lid-driven micro-cavity.

Research on Multi-Scale Modeling of Grid-Connected Distributed Photovoltaic Power Generation

The complexity of distribution network model mainly depends on the model scale of grid-connected distributed photovoltaic (PV) power generation. Therefore, the simulation performance of multi-scale PV model is the key factor of the simulation accuracy in the specific operating scenarios of distribution network. In this paper, a multi-scale model of grid connected PV distributed generation system is proposed based on the mathematical model of grid-connected distributed PV power generation. It is analyzed that differences of simulation performance, such as adaptability of simulation step size, accuracy of output and the effect on voltage profile of distribution network, between PV models with different scales in IEEE 33 node example. Simulation results indicate that the multi-scale model is effective in improving the accuracy and efficiency of simulation under different operating conditions of distribution network.

Particle Modeling Based on Interatomic Potential and Crystal Structure: A Multi-Scale Simulation of Elastic-Plastic Deformation of Metallic Material

We formulate a macroscopic particle modeling analysis of metallic materials (aluminum and copper, etc.) based on theoretical energy and atomic geometries derivable from their interatomic potential. In fact, particles in this framework are presenting a large mass composed of huge collection of atoms and are interacting with each other. We can start from cohesive energy of metallic atoms and basic crystalline unit (e.g. face-centered cubic). Then, we can reach to interparticle (macroscopic) potential function which is presented by the analytical equation with terms of exponent of inter-particle distance, like a Lennard-Jones potential usually used in molecular dynamics simulation. Equation of motion for these macroscopic particles has dissipative term and fluctuation term, as well as the conservative term above, in order to express finite temperature condition. First, we determine the parameters needed in macroscopic potential function and check the reproduction of mechanical behavior in elastic regime. By using the present framework, we are able to carry out uniaxial loading simulation of aluminum rod. The method can also reproduce Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio as elastic behavior, though the result shows the dependency on division number of particles. Then, we proceed to try to include plasticity in this multi-scale framework. As a result, a realistic curve of stress-strain relation can be obtained for tensile and compressive loading and this new and simple framework of materials modeling has been confirmed to have certain effectiveness to be used in materials simulations. We also assess the effect of the order of loadings in opposite directions including yield and plastic states and find that an irreversible behavior depends on different response of the particle system between tensile and compressive loadings.

Dynamic response of multi-scale structure in flexible pavement to moving load

In order to study the dynamic responses in the microstructures of the pavement structure, the multi-scale modeling subjected to moving load is analyzed using the discrete element method （DEM）. The macro-scale discrete element model of the flexible pavement structure is established. The stress and strain at the bottom of the asphalt concrete layer under moving load are calculated. The DEM model is validated through comparison between DEM predictions and the results from the classical program. Based on the validated macro-scale DEM model, the distribution and the volumetric fraction of coarse aggregate, mastics and air voids at the bottom of the asphalt layer are modeled, and then the multi-scale model is constructed. The dynamic response in the microstructures of the multi-scale model are calculated and compared with the results from the macro model. The influence of mastic stiffness on the distribution of dynamic response in the microstructures is also analyzed. Results show that the average values and the variation coefficient of the tensile stress at the aggregate-mastic interface are far more than those within the mastics. The dynamic response including stress and strain distributes non-uniformly in both mastics and the interface. An increase in mastic stiffness tends to a uniform distribution of tensile stress in asphalt concrete.

Multi-scale modeling for prediction of mechanical performance in brazed GH99 thin-walled structure

Superalloy thin-walled structures are achieved mainly by brazing,but the deformation process of brazed joints is non-uniform,making it a challenging research task.This paper records a thorough investigation of the effect of brazing parameters on the microstructure of joints and its mechanical properties,which mainly inquires into the deformation and fracture mechanisms in the shearing process of GH99/BNi-5a/GH99 joints.The macroscopic-microscopic deformation mechanism of the brazing interface during shearing was studied by Crystal Plasticity(CP)and Molecular Dynamics(MD)on the basis of the optimal brazing parameters.The experimental results show that the brazing interface is mainly formed by(Ni,Cr,Co)(s,s)and possesses a shear strength of approximately 546 MPa.The shearing fracture of the brazed joint occurs along the brazing seam,displaying the characteristics of intergranular fracture.MD simulations show that dislocations disassociate and transform into fine twinning with increased strain.CP simulated the shear deformation process of the brazed joint.The multiscale simulation results are consistent with the experimental results.The mechanical properties of thin-walled materials for brazing are predicted using MD and CP methods.

Mechanical response of a tunnel subjected to strike-slip faulting processes,based on a multi-scale modeling method

The stick-slip action of strike-slip faults poses a significant threat to the safety and stability of underground structures.In this study,the north-east area of the Longmenshan fault,Sichuan,provides the geological background;the rheological characteristics of the crustal lithosphere and the nonlinear interactions between plates are described by Burger’s viscoelastic constitutive model and the friction constitutive model,respectively.A large-scale global numerical model for plate squeezing analysis is established,and the seemingly periodic stick-slip action of faults at different crust depths is simulated.For a second model at a smaller scale,a local finite element model(sub-model),the time history of displacement at a ground level location on the Longmenshan fault plane in a stick-slip action is considered as the displacement loading.The integration of these models,creating a multi-scale modeling method,is used to evaluate the crack propagation and mechanical response of a tunnel subjected to strike-slip faulting.The determinations of the recurrence interval of stick-slip action and the cracking characteristics of the tunnel are in substantial agreement with the previous field investigation and experimental results,validating the multi-scale modeling method.It can be concluded that,regardless of stratum stiffness,initial cracks first occur at the inverted arch of the tunnel in the footwall,on the squeezed side under strike-slip faulting.The smaller the stratum stiffness is,the smaller the included angle between the crack expansion and longitudinal direction of the tunnel,and the more extensive the crack expansion range.For the tunnel in a high stiffness stratum,both shear and bending failures occur on the lining under strike-slip faulting,while for that in the low stiffness stratum,only bending failure occurs on the lining.