Hydroelastic Analysis of Very Large Floating Structures Using Plate Green Functions

Great attention has been paid to the development of very large floating structures. Owing to their extreme large size and great flexibility, the coupling between the structural deformation and fluid motion is significant. This is a typical problem of hydroelasticity. Efficient and accurate estimation of the hydroelastic response of very large floating structures in waves is very important for design. In this paper, the plate Green function and fluid Green function are combined to analyze the hydroelastic response of very large floating structures. The plate Green function here is a new one proposed by the authors and it satisfies all boundary conditions for free-free rectangular plates on elastic foundations. The results are compared with some experimental data. It is shown that the method proposed in this paper is efficient and accurate. Finally, various factors affecting the hydroelastic response of very large floating structures are also studied.

Tectonic evolution of structures in Southern Sindh Monocline,Indus Basin,Pakistan formed in multi-extensional tectonic episodes of Indian Plate

There are a number of structures and structural styles found in extensional tectonic settings of the world,and it is a big challenge to study the evolution of these structures. Evolution of structures formed in extensional tectonic settings have been studied by researchers on different extensional basins of the world. Southern Sindh Monocline lies on the western corner of Indian Plate and the tectonic history of Indian plate has also experienced different extensional episodes, and its journey rifted from Gondwanaland to its final welding to Asia. The aim of this study is to figure out the evolution of structures in the subsurface of Southern Sindh Monocline, Pakistan using the seismic data interpretation and flattening of horizons approach. Structures within the subsurface of Southern Sindh Monocline have been characterized by different tectonic episodes of Indian plate while rifting from Gondwanaland, rifting from other plates at different geological times and to its collision with the Asia. Basic structures within study area are classified into nine types while the structural styles have been classified into six types as horst and grabens, dominos, crotch, synthetic and antithetic, negative and flashlight structural style. The structures within the study area revealed evidence for three major structural episodes which can be characterized as Episode 1: Structures associated with rifting of Indian plate from Gondwanaland during Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous, Episode 2: Modification and reactivation of previous structures while Madagascar rifted from Indian Plate during the Middle Cretaceous and during Episode 3: Inversion and reactivation of structures occurred when Indian Plate collided with Asia during Early Eocene.

Power Flow Response Based Dynamic Topology Optimization of Bi-material Plate Structures

Work on dynamic topology optimization of engineering structures for vibration suppression has mainly addressed the maximization of eigenfrequencies and gaps between consecutive eigenfrequencies of free vibration, minimization of the dynamic compliance subject to forced vibration, and minimization of the structural frequency response. A dynamic topology optimization method of bi-material plate structures is presented based on power flow analysis. Topology optimization problems formulated directly with the design objective of minimizing the power flow response are dealt with. In comparison to the displacement or velocity response, the power flow response takes not only the amplitude of force and velocity into account, but also the phase relationship of the two vector quantities. The complex expression of power flow response is derived based on time-harmonic external mechanical loading and Rayleigh damping. The mathematical formulation of topology optimization is established based on power flow response and bi-material solid isotropic material with penalization(SIMP) model. Computational optimization procedure is developed by using adjoint design sensitivity analysis and the method of moving asymptotes(MMA). Several numerical examples are presented for bi-material plate structures with different loading frequencies, which verify the feasibility and effectiveness of this method. Additionally, optimum results between topological design of minimum power flow response and minimum dynamic compliance are compared, showing that the present method has strong adaptability for structural dynamic topology optimization problems. The proposed research provides a more accurate and effective approach for dynamic topology optimization of vibrating structures.

A new design of 3D-printed orthopedic bone plates with auxeticstructures to mitigate stress shielding and improve intra-operative bending

Orthopedic bone plates are most commonly used for bone fracture fixation for more than 100 years.The bone plate design had evolved over time overcoming many challenges such as insufficient strength and excessive plate–bone contact affecting the blood circulation.However,it is only made of two materials,either stainless steel(AISI 316L)or titanium(Ti–6Al–4V).There are two main limitations of metallic bone implants,namely stress shielding and the problem of malocclusion caused by the displacement of the fracture site during healing.To overcome the two problems,a new bone plate design with the incorporation of auxetic structures is proposed in this work.This study aims to use auxetic structure section in the bone plate that would decrease the stiffness of the region,thereby mitigating the stress-shielding effect and at the same time act as a deformable section to enable intra-operative bending for effective alignment while having enough bending strength and stiffness.Two different auxetic structures namely re-entrant honeycomb and missing rib structures were considered.The auxetic structure incorporated bone plates were designed,finite element analysis was done,fabricated using direct metal laser sintering technique,and tested.The results indicate that the re-entrant honeycomb structure incorporated bone plates serve as an effective bone design compared to the conventional bone plate design,in terms of stress shielding and intra-operative bending while offering similar mechanical and bending strength.

Complicated deformation simulating on temperature-driven 4D printed bilayer structures based on reduced bilayer plate model

The four-dimensional(4D) printing technology, as a combination of additive manufacturing and smart materials, has attracted increasing research interest in recent years. The bilayer structures printed with smart materials using this technology can realize complicated deformation under some special stimuli due to the material properties.The deformation prediction of bilayer structures can make the design process more rapid and thus is of great importance. However, the previous works on deformation prediction of bilayer structures rarely study the complicated deformations or the influence of the printing process on deformation. Thus, this paper proposes a new method to predict the complicated deformations of temperature-sensitive 4D printed bilayer structures,in particular to the bilayer structures based on temperature-driven shape-memory polymers(SMPs) and fabricated using the fused deposition modeling(FDM) technology. The programming process to the material during printing is revealed and considered in the simulation model. Simulation results are compared with experiments to verify the validity of the method. The advantages of this method are stable convergence and high efficiency,as the three-dimensional(3D) problem is converted to a two-dimensional(2D) problem.The simulation parameters in the model can be further associated with the printing parameters, which shows good application prospect in 4D printed bilayer structure design.

Structural Style and Hydrocarbon Prospectivity of the Growth Faults Related Structures in the Bengal Basin

The structural and tectonic evolution of the Bengal Basin is characterized by a complex interplay of factors, including sedimentation, the rise of the Himalayan Mountains, and the movements of Jurassic syn-rift faults. This study aims to comprehend the progression of growth faults inside the basin by examining fault geometry, basin development, and structural relief patterns. We used high-quality 2D seismic lines from the PK-MY-8403, classical seismic interpretation techniques and modeling were carried out to reveal the plate tectonic conditions, stratigraphy, and sedimentation history of the basin. The break-up unconformity, Paleocene and Eocene submerged conditions, and crucial geological formations including the Sylhet Limestone, Barail Group, and Surma Group were among the notable features recognized in seismic section. With an emphasis on growth strata and pre-growth strata, significant variations in layer thickness and relief were remarked in different stratigraphic levels. Basin development events like the evolution of the Miocene remnant ocean basin, sedimentation in Oligocene, Eocene Himalayan collision, and the Pliocene reverse fault development are analyzed. In the early the Pliocene compressional forces outpaced sedimentation rates and syn-depositional normal faults of Oligocene time began to move in opposite direction. Syn-depositional growth faults may have formed in the Bengal Basin as a result of this reversal. This research provides a detailed comprehensive knowledge of growth fault development in the Bengal Basin following the seismic interpretation, modelling, and thickness/relief analysis. The outcomes point to a substantial hydrocarbon potential, especially in regions like the Eocene Hinge Zone, where the prospectivity of the area is enhanced by carbonate reefs and Jalangi shale. However, the existence of petroleum four-way closure in the investigated region requires further investigation.

FLOW STRUCTURES AND FORCE CHARACTERISTICS FOR FLAT PLATE IN OSCILLATORY FLOWS WITH K_c NUMBER FROM 2 TO 40 AND IN COMBINED FLOWS

The evolution of wake structures and variation of the forces on a flat plate in harmonic oscillatory and in-line combined flows are obtained numerically by improved discrete vortex method. For the oscillatory oncoming flow cases, when K_c number varies from 2 to 40, the vortex pattern changes from a 'harmonic wave' shaped (in a range of small K_c numbers) to a slight inclined 'harmonic wave' shaped (in a range of moderate K_c numbers), then to inclined vortex clusters with an angle of 50 ° to the oncoming flow direction (at K_c = 20), at last, as K_c number becomes large, the vortex pattern is like a normal Karman vortex street. The well predicted drag and inertia force coefficients are obtained, which are more close to the results of Keulegan & Carpenter's experiment as compared with previous vortex simulation by other au- thors. The existence of minimum point of inertia force coefficient C_m near K_c = 20 is also well predicted and this phenomenon can be interpreted according to the vortex structure. For steady-oscillatory in-line combined flow cases, the vortex modes behave like a vortex street, exhibit a 'longitudinal wave' structure, and a vor- tex cluster shape corresponding to the ratios of U_m to U_0 which are of O (10^(-1)), O(1)and O (10), respectively. The effect on the prediction of forces on the flat plate from the disturbance component in a combined flow has been demon- strated qualitatively. In addition to this, the lock-in phenomenon of vortex shedding has been checked.

STOCHASTIC BOUNDARY ELEMENT METHOD FOR RELIABILITY ANALYSIS OF PLATE AND BEAMS COMPOSITE STRUCTURES

In this paper, the reliability of orthotropic plate and beams composite structures, which is under the actions of the stochastic loading and stochastic boundary conditions, have been analyzed by stochastic boundary element method. First, the boundary integral equation of orthotropic plate and beams composite structures is given in this paper, and then based on the stochastic boundary element method, the method for reliability analysis of stochastic structures is establishes and formulas for computation of reliability index of orthotropic plate and beams composite structures are obtained. The computed examples show the efficient of the method used in this paper.

ML and CFD Simulation of Flow Structure around Tandem Bridge Piers in Pressurized Flow

Various regions are becoming increasingly vulnerable to the increased frequency of floods due to the recent changes in climate and precipitation patterns throughout the world.As a result,specific infrastructures,notably bridges,would experience significant flooding for which they were not intended and would be submerged.The flow field and shear stress distribution around tandem bridge piers under pressurized flow conditions for various bridge deck widths are examined using a series of three-dimensional(3D)simulations.It is indicated that scenarios with a deck width to pier diameter(Ld/p)ratio of 3 experience the highest levels of turbulent disturbance.In addition,maximum velocity and shear stresses occur in cases with Ld/p equal to 6.Results indicate that increasing the number of piers from 1 to 2 and 3 results in the increase of bed shear stress by 24%and 20%respectively.Finally,five machine learning algorithms,including Decision Trees(DT),Feed Forward Neural Networks(FFNN),and three Ensemble models,are implemented to estimate the flow field and the turbulent structure.Results indicated that the highest accuracy for estimation of U,and W,were obtained using AdaBoost ensemble with R2=0.946 and 0.951,respectively.Besides,the Random Forest algorithm outperformed AdaBoost slightly in the estimation of V and turbulent kinetic energy(TKE)with R2=0.894 and 0.951,respectively.

THE LAYOUT OPTIMIZATION OF STIFFENERS FOR PLATE-SHELL STRUCTURES

The plate-shell structures with stiffeners are widely used in a broad range of engineering structures. This study presents the layout optimization of stiffeners. The minimum weight of stiffeners is taken as the objective function with the global stiffness constraint. In the layout optimization, the stiffeners should be placed at the locations with high strain energy/or stress. Conversely, elements of stiffeners with a small strain energy/or stress are considered to be used inefficiently and can be removed. Thus, to identify the element efficiency so that most inefficiently used elements of stiffeners can be removed, the element sensitivity of the strain energy of stiffeners is introduced, and a search criterion for locations of stiffeners is presented. The layout optimization approach is given for determining which elements of the stiffeners need to be kept or removed. In each iterative design, a high efficiency reanalysis approach is used to reduce the computational effort. The present approach is implemented for the layout optimization of stiffeners for a bunker loaded by the hydrostatic pressure. The numerical results show that the present approach is effective for dealing with layout optimization of stiffeners for plate-shell structures.

Explicit Topology Optimization Design of Stiffened Plate Structures Based on the Moving Morphable Component(MMC)Method

This paper proposes an explicit method for topology optimization of stiffened plate structures.The present work is devoted to simultaneously optimizing stiffeners’shape,size and layout by seeking the optimal geometry parameters of a series of moving morphable components(MMC).The stiffeners with straight skeletons and the stiffeners with curved skeletons are considered to enhance the modeling and optimization capability of the current approach.All the stiffeners are represented under the Lagrangian-description framework in a fully explicit way,and the adaptive ground structure method,as well as dynamically updated plate/shell elements,is used to obtain optimized designs with more accurate analysis results.Compared with existing works,the proposed approach provides an explicit description of the structure.Thus,a stiffened plate structure with clear stiffener distribution and smooth geometric boundary can be obtained.Several numerical examples provided,including straight and curved stiffeners,hierarchical stiffeners,and a stiffened plate with a cutout,validate the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed approach.

Adaptive Lagrange finite element methods for high precision vibrations and piezoelectric acoustic wave computations in SMT structures and plates with nano interfaces

This paper discusses the validity of (adaptive) Lagrange generalized plain finite element method (FEM) and plate element method for accurate analysis of acoustic waves in multi-layered piezoelectric structures with tiny interfaces between metal electrodes and surface mounted piezoelectric substrates. We have come to conclusion that the quantitative relationships between the acoustic and electric fields in a piezoelectric structure can be accurately determined through the proposed finite element methods. The higher-order Lagrange FEM proposed for dynamic piezoelectric computation is proved to be very accurate (prescribed relative error 0.02% - 0.04% ) and a great improvement in convergence accuracy over the higher order Mindlin plate element method for piezoelectric structural analysis due to the assumptions and corrections in the plate theories.The converged lagrange finite element methods are compared with the plate element methods and the computedresults are in good agreement with available exact and experimental data. The adaptive Lagrange finite elementmethods and a new FEA computer program developed for macro- and micro-scale analyses are reviewed, and recently extended with great potential to high-precision nano-scale analysis in this paper and the similarities between piezoelectric and seismic wave propagations in layered structures and plates are stressed.

Analysis of Critical Load of the Orthotropic Plate Structures

Advanced design based on the concept of orthotropic structure includes better use of materials, less weight compared to the equivalent isotropic construction and controlled effectively reserve resistance in all its segments. In this case a calculation of critical load is exposed using the FDM （Finite Difference Method） concept of thin plates subjected to complex loads due to forces in the middle-plane. Results of calculation model, discussed in this paper, are given in graphic form. Presented results should serve as an indicator of the expansion of theoretical base of similar models, which can be reasonably use by researchers and engineers in their practices, and by students for educational purposes.

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.

Plate/shell structure topology optimization of orthotropic material for buckling problem based on independent continuous topological variables

The purpose of the present work is to study the buckling problem with plate/shell topology optimization of orthotropic material. A model of buckling topology optimization is established based on the independent, continuous, and mapping method, which considers structural mass as objective and buckling critical loads as constraints. Firstly, composite exponential function (CEF) and power function (PF) as filter functions are introduced to recognize the element mass, the element stiffness matrix, and the element geometric stiffness matrix. The filter functions of the orthotropic material stiffness are deduced. Then these filter functions are put into buckling topology optimization of a differential equation to analyze the design sensitivity. Furthermore, the buckling constraints are approximately expressed as explicit functions with respect to the design variables based on the first-order Taylor expansion. The objective function is standardized based on the second-order Taylor expansion. Therefore, the optimization model is translated into a quadratic program. Finally, the dual sequence quadratic programming (DSQP) algorithm and the global convergence method of moving asymptotes algorithm with two different filter functions (CEF and PF) are applied to solve the optimal model. Three numerical results show that DSQP&CEF has the best performance in the view of structural mass and discretion.

A Hybrid Particle Swarm Optimization and Genetic Algorithm for Model Updating of A Pier-Type Structure Using Experimental Modal Analysis

Conventional design of pier structures is based on the assumption of fully rigid joints. In practice, the real connections are semi-rigid that cause changes in dynamic characteristics. In this study, quality of the joints is investigated by considering changes in natural frequencies. For this purpose, numerical and experimental modal analyses are carried out on related physical model of a pier type structure. When numerical results are evaluated,natural frequencies generally do not match the expected experimental results. Uncertainties in different aspects of engineering problems are always a challenge for researchers. The numerical models which are constructed on the basis of highly idealized scheme may not be able to represent all of the physical aspects of the physical one. For this study, determination of percentage of semi-rigid joints is considered as an optimization problem based on the numerical and experimental frequencies. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis is also used to determine the search space.A new technique of optimization problem is solved by a combination of smart particle swarm optimization(PSO)and genetic algorithms, and a complicated and efficient system for model updating process is introduced. It is observed that the hybrid PSO-Genetic algorithm is applicable and appropriate in model updating process. It performs better than PSO algorithm, considering the good agreement between theoretical frequencies and experimental ones,before and after model updating.

Design and test of a protective structure for the double vertical explosive welding of large titanium/steel plate

A comprehensive protective structure with rigidity and flexibility was put forward and designed in view of the quality and safety problems for the double vertical explosive welding of large titanium/steel cladding plate.The movement speed and displacement of the protective structure was calculated by establishing its physics model.The dynamics and stabilization properties were analyzed,and the protective structure parameters were optimized and devised.The comprehensive protective structure,which is composed of rigidity unit and flexibility wall,can bear the impact of detonation wave and the high-speed movement of the cladding plate.There are no damage and deformation in the protective structure and the cladding plate.The protective structure can be used many times.The bonding rate of the Ti/steel plate obtained was nearly 100%,and there is no deformation,surface cracks,and big wave and micro-defects.Therefore,the protective problems of the double vertical explosive welding can be solved effectively by the protective structure.

Structural Geochemical Study of the Yuxi Fold-Thrust Belt in the Southern North China Plate

The Yuxi （豫西） fold-thrust fracture belt is part of the gigantic fold-thrust fracture belt that extends NW in the southern North China plate. The contents of major elements of tectonites were analyzed by ICP-AES. The analysis of chemical compositions and new stress minerals indicates： extending from the surrounding country rocks to the center of the fracture belt, the Fe2O3 content gradually increases while the FeO content gradually decreases; regular increase, decrease or peak changes are shown for chemical compositions like SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, MgO, CaO, FeO, loss on ignition, TIO：, K2O, Na2 O, etc.. New stress minerals are developed for the south branch and few for the north branch. The characteristics of chemical compositions and new stress minerals of the thrust fracture demonstrate that the fracture belt has undergone a process from a closed reducing environmental system to a relatively open. oxidizing environmental system, andcompressive fractures have resulted from compression in the late stages of evolution, and the dynamothermal metamorphism and thrusting intensities are different between the south and north branches of the belt, which is strong for the south branch but relatively weak for the north branch.

Statistical Analysis of Ship Impact Forces on Light Wharf Structures

In the present study,the formula calculating ship impact forces on light wharf structures is presented when the elastic deformation of the hull and the pier structures as well as the nonlinear deformation of the fender are taken into account. The ship impact forces are statistically analyzed with the Monte-Carlo method according to the known probability distribution types of random variables.Based on the simulated results, the distribution of ship impact forces which is characterized by bimodal distribution can be expressed as the combining probability density function of beta distribution and normal distribution. The corresponding parameters of the probability density function can be estimated with the maximum likelihood method. The results show that ship impact forces on light wharf structures follow the distribution of type I extreme value.The mean coefficient and variation coefficient are 1.11 and 0.008 respectively during 50 years of design reference period.

Effect of cooling structure on thermal behavior of copper plates of slab continuous casting mold

A three-dimensional finite-element model of slab continuous casting mold was conducted to clarify the effect of cooling structure on thermal behavior of copper plates. The results show that temperature distribution of hot surface is mainly governed by cooling structure and heat-transfer conditions. For hot surface centricity, maximum surface temperature promotions are 30 ℃and 15 ℃ with thickness increments of copper plates of 5 mm and nickel layers of 1 ram, respectively. The surface temperature without nickel layers is depressed by 10 ℃ when the depth increment of water slots is 2 mm and that with nickel layers adjacent to and away from mold outlet is depressed by 7℃ and 5 ℃, respectively. The specific trend of temperature distribution of transverse sections of copper plates is nearly free of cooling structure, but temperature is changed and its law is similar to the corresponding surface temperature.