C^1 natural element method for strain gradient linear elasticity and its application to microstructures

C^1 natural element method （C^1 NEM） is applied to strain gradient linear elasticity, and size effects on mi crostructures are analyzed. The shape functions in C^1 NEM are built upon the natural neighbor interpolation （NNI）, with interpolation realized to nodal function and nodal gradient values, so that the essential boundary conditions （EBCs） can be imposed directly in a Galerkin scheme for partial differential equations （PDEs）. In the present paper, C^1 NEM for strain gradient linear elasticity is constructed, and sev- eral typical examples which have analytical solutions are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the constructed method. In its application to microstructures, the size effects of bending stiffness and stress concentration factor （SCF） are studied for microspeciem and microgripper, respectively. It is observed that the size effects become rather strong when the width of spring for microgripper, the radius of circular perforation and the long axis of elliptical perforation for microspeciem come close to the material characteristic length scales. For the U-shaped notch, the size effects decline obviously with increasing notch radius, and decline mildly with increasing length of notch.

Hybrid natural element method for viscoelasticity problems

A hybrid natural element method（HNEM） for two-dimensional viscoelasticity problems under the creep condition is proposed. The natural neighbor interpolation is used as the test function, and the discrete equation system of the HNEM for viscoelasticity problems is obtained using the Hellinger–Reissner variational principle. In contrast to the natural element method（NEM）, the HNEM can directly obtain the nodal stresses, which have higher precisions than those obtained using the moving least-square（MLS） approximation. Some numerical examples are given to demonstrate the validity and superiority of this HNEM.

Hybrid natural element method for large deformation elastoplasticity problems

We present the hybrid natural element method（HNEM） for two-dimensional elastoplastic large deformation problems. Sibson interpolation is adopted to construct the shape functions of nodal incremental displacements and incremental stresses. The incremental form of Hellinger–Reissner variational principle for elastoplastic large deformation problems is deduced to obtain the equation system. The total Lagrangian formulation is used to describe the discrete equation system.Compared with the natural element method（NEM）, the HNEM has higher computational precision and efficiency in solving elastoplastic large deformation problems. Some numerical examples are selected to demonstrate the advantage of the HNEM for large deformation elastoplasticity problems.

Numerical Study of Natural Convection in Square Cavity with Inner Bodies Using Finite Element Method

A numerical study of heat transfer problem by natural convection of a fluid inside a square cavity with two inner bodies is presented. This subject is of great interest in the engineering area, mainly in applications involving development of heat exchangers and cooling or heating systems of bodies by natural convection mechanism. Two cases have been studied. The inner bodies are square in case 1 and circular in case 2. In both cases, the bodies are solid and thermally conductive, the cavity lower and upper horizontal surfaces are isothermal with high temperature Th and low temperature Tc, respectively. Both vertical surfaces are adiabatic. A FORTRAN code using Finite Element Method (FEM) is developed to simulate the problem and solve the governing equations. The distributions of stream function, ψ, dimensionless temperature, θ, and vorticity, ω, are determined. Heat transfer is evaluated by analyzing the behavior of the average Nusselt number. The Grashof number and thermal diffusivity ratio are considered in range from 2 × 104 to 105 and from 0.1 to 100, respectively. The fluid is air with Prandtl number fixed in 0.733.

Numerical analysis of downward progressive landslides in long natural slopes with sensitive clay

Landslides occurring in sensitive clay often result in widespread destruction,posing a significant risk to human lives and property due to the substantial decrease in undrained shear strength during deformation.Assessing the consequences of these landslides is challenging and necessitates robust numerical methods to comprehensively investigate their failure mechanisms.While studies have extensively explored upward progressive landslides in sensitive clays,understanding downward progressive cases remains limited.In this study,we utilised the nodal integration-based particle finite element method(NPFEM)with a nonlinear strain-softening model to analyse downward progressive landslides in sensitive clay on elongated slopes,induced by surcharge loads near the crest.We focused on elucidating the underlying failure mechanisms and evaluating the effects of different soil parameters and strainsoftening characteristics.The simulation results revealed the typical pattern for downward landslides,which typically start with a localised failure in proximity to the surcharge loads,followed by a combination of different types of failure mechanisms,including single flow slides,translational progressive landslides,progressive flow slides,and spread failures.Additionally,inclined shear bands occur within spread failures,often adopting distinctive ploughing patterns characterised by triangular shapes.The sensitive clay thickness at the base,the clay strength gradient,the sensitivity,and the softening rate significantly influence the failure mechanisms and the extent of diffused displacement.Remarkably,some of these effects mirror those observed in upward progressive landslides,underscoring the interconnectedness of these phenomena.This study contributes valuable insights into the complex dynamics of sensitive clay landslides,shedding light on the intricate interplay of factors governing their behaviour and progression.

Borehole stability in naturally fractured rocks with drilling mud intrusion and associated fracture strength weakening:A coupled DFN-DEM approach

Borehole instability in naturally fractured rocks poses significant challenges to drilling.Drilling mud invades the surrounding formations through natural fractures under the difference between the wellbore pressure(P w)and pore pressure(P p)during drilling,which may cause wellbore instability.However,the weakening of fracture strength due to mud intrusion is not considered in most existing borehole stability analyses,which may yield significant errors and misleading predictions.In addition,only limited factors were analyzed,and the fracture distribution was oversimplified.In this paper,the impacts of mud intrusion and associated fracture strength weakening on borehole stability in fractured rocks under both isotropic and anisotropic stress states are investigated using a coupled DEM(distinct element method)and DFN(discrete fracture network)method.It provides estimates of the effect of fracture strength weakening,wellbore pressure,in situ stresses,and sealing efficiency on borehole stability.The results show that mud intrusion and weakening of fracture strength can damage the borehole.This is demonstrated by the large displacement around the borehole,shear displacement on natural fractures,and the generation of fracture at shear limit.Mud intrusion reduces the shear strength of the fracture surface and leads to shear failure,which explains that the increase in mud weight may worsen borehole stability during overbalanced drilling in fractured formations.A higher in situ stress anisotropy exerts a significant influence on the mechanism of shear failure distribution around the wellbore.Moreover,the effect of sealing natural fractures on maintaining borehole stability is verified in this study,and the increase in sealing efficiency reduces the radial invasion distance of drilling mud.This study provides a directly quantitative prediction method of borehole instability in naturally fractured formations,which can consider the discrete fracture network,mud intrusion,and associated weakening of fracture strength.The information provided by the numerical approach(e.g.displacement around the borehole,shear displacement on fracture,and fracture at shear limit)is helpful for managing wellbore stability and designing wellbore-strengthening operations.

Finite Element Analysis of Magnetohydrodynamic Natural Convection within Semi-Circular Top Enclosure with Triangular Obstacles

The phenomena of magneto-hydrodynamic natural convection in a two-dimensional semicircular top enclosure with triangular obstacle in the rectangular cavity were studied numerically. The governing differential equations are solved by using the most important method which is finite element method (weighted-residual method). The top wall is placed at cold Tc and bottom wall is heated Th. Here the sidewalls of the cavity assumed adiabatic. Also all the wall are occupied to be no-slip condition. A heated triangular obstacle is located at the center of the cavity. The study accomplished for Prandtl number Pr = 0.71;the Rayleigh number Ra = 103, 105, 5 × 105, 106 and for Hartmann number Ha = 0, 20, 50, 100. The results represent the streamlines, isotherms, velocity and temperature fields as well as local Nusselt number.

Kinematic Shakedown Analysis for Strain-Hardening Plates with the C^(1) Nodal Natural Element Method

This paper proposes a novel numerical solution approach for the kinematic shakedown analysis of strain-hardening thin plates using the C^(1)nodal natural element method(C^(1)nodal NEM).Based on Koiter’s theorem and the von Mises and two-surface yield criteria,a nonlinear mathematical programming formulation is constructed for the kinematic shakedown analysis of strain-hardening thin plates,and the C^(1)nodal NEM is adopted for discretization.Additionally,König’s theory is used to deal with time integration by treating the generalized plastic strain increment at each load vertex.A direct iterative method is developed to linearize and solve this formulation by modifying the relevant objective function and equality constraints at each iteration.Kinematic shakedown load factors are directly calculated in a monotonically converging manner.Numerical examples validate the accuracy and convergence of the developed method and illustrate the influences of limited and unlimited strain-hardening models on the kinematic shakedown load factors of thin square and circular plates.

Investigation of Microstructure, Natural Frequencies and Vibration Modes of Dragonfly Wing

In the present work, a thorough investigation on the microstructural and morphological aspects of dragonfly wings was carried out using scanning electron microscope. Then, based on this study and the previous reports, a precise three-dimensional numerical model was developed and natural frequencies and vibration modes of dragonfly forewing were determined by finite element method. The results shown that dragonfly wings are made of a series of adaptive materials, which form a very complex composite structure. This bio-composite fabrication has some unique features and potential benefits. Furthermore, the numerical results show that the first natural frequency of dragonfly wings is about 168 Hz and bending is the predominant deformation mode in this stage. The accuracy of the present analysis is verified by comparison of calculated results with experimental data. This paper may be helpful for micro aerial vehicle design concerning dynamic response.

Non-pneumatic mechanical elastic wheel natural dynamic characteristics and influencing factors

Non-pneumatic tire appears to have advantages over traditional pneumatic tire in terms of flat proof and maintenance free.A mechanical elastic wheel(MEW) with a non-pneumatic elastic outer ring which functions as air of pneumatic tire was presented.The structure of MEW was non-inflatable integrated configuration and the effect of hinges was accounted for only in tension. To establish finite element model of MEW, various nonlinear factors, such as geometrical nonlinearity, material nonlinearity and contact nonlinearity, were considered. Load characteristic test was conducted by tyre dynamic test-bed to obtain force-deflection curve. And the finite element model was validated through load characteristic test. Natural dynamic characteristics of the MEW and its influencing factors were investigated based on the finite element model. Simulation results show that the finite element model closely matched experimental wheel. The results also show that natural frequency is related to ground constraints, material properties, loads and torques. Influencing factors as above obviously affect the amplitude of mode of vibration, but have little effect on mode of vibration shape. The results can provide guidance for experiment research, structural optimization of MEW.

Optimization of Bearing Locations for Maximizing First Mode Natural Frequency of Motorized Spindle-Bearing Systems Using a Genetic Algorithm

This paper has developed a genetic algorithm (GA) optimization approach to search for the optimal locations to install bearings on the motorized spindle shaft to maximize its first-mode natural frequency (FMNF). First, a finite element method (FEM) dynamic model of the spindle-bearing system is formulated, and by solving the eigenvalue problem derived from the equations of motion, the natural frequencies of the spindle system can be acquired. Next, the mathematical model is built, which includes the objective function to maximize FMNF and the constraints to limit the locations of the bearings with respect to the geometrical boundaries of the segments they located and the spacings between adjacent bearings. Then, the Sequential Decoding Process (SDP) GA is designed to accommodate the dependent characteristics of the constraints in the mathematical model. To verify the proposed SDP-GA optimization approach, a four-bearing installation optimazation problem of an illustrative spindle system is investigated. The results show that the SDP-GA provides well convergence for the optimization searching process. By applying design of experiments and analysis of variance, the optimal values of GA parameters are determined under a certain number restriction in executing the eigenvalue calculation subroutine. A linear regression equation is derived also to estimate necessary calculation efforts with respect to the specific quality of the optimization solution. From the results of this illustrative example, we can conclude that the proposed SDP-GA optimization approach is effective and efficient.

Dynamic analysis of beam-cable coupled systems using Chebyshev spectral element method

The dynamic characteristics of a beam-cable coupled system are investigated using an improved Chebyshev spectral element method in order to observe the effects of adding cables on the beam. The system is modeled as a double Timoshenko beam system interconnected by discrete springs. Utilizing Chebyshev series expansion and meshing the system according to the locations of its connections, numerical results of the natural frequencies and mode shapes are obtained using only a few elements, and the results are validated by comparing them with the results of a finite-element method. Then the effects of the cable parameters and layout of connections on the natural frequencies and mode shapes of a fixed-pinned beam are studied. The results show that the modes of a beam-cable coupled system can be classified into two types, beam mode and cable mode, according to the dominant deformation. To avoid undesirable vibrations of the cable, its parameters should be controlled in a reasonable range, or the layout of the connections should be optimized.

Impacts of Heat Flux Distribution, Sloping Magnetic Field and Magnetic Nanoparticles on the Natural Convective Flow Contained in a Square Cavity

In the present paper,the effect of the heat flux distribution on the natural convective flow inside a square cavity in the presence of a sloping magnetic field and magnetic nanoparticles is explored numerically.The nondimensional governing equations are solved in the framework of a finite element method implemented using the Galerkin approach.The role played by numerous model parameters in influencing the emerging thermal and concentration fields is examined;among them are:the location of the heat source and its lengthH
,the magnitude of the thermal Rayleigh number,the nanoparticles shape and volume fraction,and the Hartmann number.It is found that the nanofluid velocity becomes higher when the thermal source length,the nanoparticles volume fraction and/or the thermal Rayleigh number are increased,while it decreases as the Hartmann number Ha grows and the position of the heat source moves toward the center of the lower wall of the cavity.Moreover,the temperature of the nanofluid grows with the extension of the thermal source and decreases slowly when the heat flux position moves toward the center of the lower wall.The outcomes of the research also indicate that the average Nusselt number becomes smaller on increasing Hartmann number Ha and heat source length H^(*).The addition of Fe_(3)O_(4) to engine oil leads to a higher rate of heat transfer with respect to the addition of SiO_(2) particles.Blade-shaped nanoparticles generate the highest value of the Nusselt number compared to all the other considered shapes.

Complex fracture propagation model and plugging timing optimization for temporary plugging fracturing in naturally fractured shale

In this paper,a viscoelasticity-plastic damage constitutive equation for naturally fractured shale is deduced,coupling nonlinear tensile-shear mixed fracture mode.Dynamic perforation-erosion on fluid re-distribution among multi-clusters are considered as well.DFN-FEM(discrete fracture network combined with finite element method)was developed to simulate the multi-cluster complex fractures propagation within temporary plugging fracturing(TPF).Numerical results are matched with field injection and micro-seismic monitoring data.Based on geomechanical characteristics of Weiyuan deep shale gas reservoir in Sichuan Basin,SW China,a multi-cluster complex fractures propagation model is built for TPF.To study complex fractures propagation and the permeability-enhanced region evolution,intersecting and competition mechanisms between the fractures before and after TPF treatment are revealed.Simulation results show that:fracture from middle cluster is restricted by the fractures from side-clusters,and side-clusters plugging is benefit for multi fractures propagation in uniformity;optimized TPF timing should be delayed within a higher density or strike of natural fractures;Within a reservoir-featured natural fractures distribution,optimized TPF timing for most clustered method is 2/3 of total fluid injection time as the optimal plugging time under different clustering modes.

Conjugate natural convection of non-Newtonian hybrid nanofluid in wavy-shaped enclosure

The present study concerns the modelization and numerical simulation for the heat and flow exchange characteristics in a novel configuration saturated with a nonNewtonian Ag-MgO hybrid nanofluid.The wavy shaped enclosure is equipped with onequarter of a conducting solid cylinder.The system of equations resulting from the mathematical modeling of the physical problem in its dimensionless form is discretized via the higher-order Galerkin-based finite element method(GFEM).The dependency of various factors and their interrelationships affecting the hydro-thermal behavior and heat exchange rate are delineated.The numerical experiments reveal that the best heat transfer rate is achieved for the pseudo-plastic hybrid nanoliquid with high Rayleigh number and thermal conductivity ratio and low Hartmann number.Besides,the power-law index has a major effect in deteriorating the heat convection at high Rayleigh number.

Simulation of Natural Convection Flow with Magneto-Hydrodynamics in a Wavy Top Enclosure with a Semi-Circular Heater

Natural convection flow in enclosure has different applications such as room ventilation, heat exchangers, the cooling system of a building etc. The Finite-Element method based on the Galerkin weighted residual approach is used to solve two-dimensional governing mass, momentum and energy-equations for natural convection flow in the presence of a magnetic field on a roof top with semi-circular heater. In the enclosure the horizontal lower wall was heated, the vertical two walls were adiabatic, inside the semi-circular heater, the wavy top wall cooled. The parameters Rayleigh number, Hartmann number and Prandtl number are considered. The effects of the Hartmann number and Rayleigh number on the streamlines, isotherms, velocity profiles and average Nusselt number are examined graphically. The local Nusselt number and the average Nusselt number of the heated portion of the enclosure with the semi-circular heater are presented in this paper. Finally, for the validation of the existing work, the current results are compared with published results and the auspicious agreement is achieved.

NEM与IEM耦合方法在地下工程中的应用研究

针对纯自然单元法(NEM)在处理地下工程无限域或半无限域问题时需要人为确定边界条件而带来计算误差的问题,引入无限元(IEM)模拟无穷远处边界条件,与自然元相结合形成耦合分析方法,并基于Laplace插值编制了相应程序;通过深埋圆形隧洞算例分析表明,与纯自然单元法相比,耦合方法显著提高了计算精度,选取较小的分析区域就可得到令人满意的结果,使得在满足工程要求前提下,采用耦合方法可以节省计算工作量,从而进一步增强了自然单元法处理地下工程问题的能力.

Study of heat transfer by using DEM–CFD method in a randomly packed pebble-bed reactor

The pebble-bed reactor is one of the most promising designs for the nuclear energy industry. In this paper,a discrete element method-computational fluid dynamics(DEM-CFD) approach that includes thermal conduction, radiation, and natural convection mechanisms was proposed to simulate the thermal-fluid phenomena after the failure of forced circulation cooling system in a pebble-bed core. The whole large-scale packed bed was created using the DEM technique, and the calculated radial porosity of the bed was validated with empirical correlations reported by researchers. To reduce computational costs, a segment of the bed was extracted, which served as a good representative of the large-scale packed bed for CFD calculation. The temperature distributions simulated with two different fluids in this DEM-CFD approach were in good agreement with SANA experimental data. The influence of the natural convection mechanism on heat transfer must be taken into account for coolants with strong convective capacity. The proposed DEM-CFD methodology offers a computationally efficient and widely applied method for understanding the heat transfer process in a pebble-bed core. The method can also be easily extended to assess the passive safety features of newly designed fluoride-salt-cooled pebble-bed reactors.

Upper Bound Shakedown Analysis of Plates Utilizing the C^(1) Natural Element Method

This paper proposes a numerical solution method for upper bound shakedown analysis of perfectly elasto-plastic thin plates by employing the C^(1) natural element method.Based on the Koiter’s theorem and von Mises yield criterion,the nonlinear mathematical programming formulation for upper bound shakedown analysis of thin plates is established.In this formulation,the trail function of residual displacement increment is approximated by using the C^(1) shape functions,the plastic incompressibility condition is satisfied by introducing a constant matrix in the objective function,and the time integration is resolved by using the Konig’s technique.Meanwhile,the objective function is linearized by distinguishing the non-plastic integral points from the plastic integral points and revising the objective function and associated equality constraints at each iteration.Finally,the upper bound shakedown load multipliers of thin plates are obtained by direct iterative and monotone convergence processes.Several benchmark examples verify the good precision and fast convergence of this proposed method.

THE COUPLING METHOD FOR TORSION PROBLEM OF THE SQUARE CROSS-SECTION BAR WITH CRACKS

By coupling natural boundary element method (NBEM) with FEM based on domain decomposition, the torsion problem of the square cross-sections bar with cracks have been studied, the stresses of the nodes of the cross-sections and the stress intensity factors have been calculated, and some distribution pictures of the stresses have been drawn. During computing, the effect of the relaxed factors to the convergence speed of the iterative method has been discussed. The results of the computation have confirmed the advantages of the NBEM and its coupling with the FEM.