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

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

Computer model of the human head-neck and finite element analysis

The difficulty in establishing the finite element model of head and cervical spine is interpreted in the study. A head-neck 3D model is constructed accurately and quickly by the technology of CT scan,the automatically modeling of Mimics software and the RE technology of Geomagic software. Then the finite element model of the head-neck which is close to the real one is set up by the preprocessor of the FEM soft ware ANSYS. After the transient finite element analysis is performed on the model,the historical response of the displacement of the head is obtained. The result is validated by the result of the existed experiment. The stress,as well as the deformation,of nodes in the head and the cervical spine at any time benefits a lot to the clinic study on the injure to the head and neck caused by the impacts. And all the analysis is done by limited computer available.

The finite element analysis of articular cartilage fiber-reinforced composite model under rolling load

Articular cartilage is a layer of low-friction,load-bearing soft hydrated tissue covering bone-ends in diarthrosis,which plays an important role in spreading the load,reducing the joint contact stress,joint friction and wear during exercise.The vital mechanical function

Experimental and finite element analysis of tibial stress fractures using a rabbit model

AIM: To determine if rabbit models can be used to quantify the mechanical behaviour involved in tibial stress fracture(TSF) development.METHODS: Fresh rabbit tibiae were loaded under compression using a specifically-designed test apparatus. Weights were incrementally added up to a load of 30 kg and the mechanical behaviour of the tibia was analysed using tests for buckling, bone strain and hysteresis. Structural mechanics equations were subsequently employed to verify that the results were within the range of values predicted by theory. A finite element(FE) model was developed using cross-sectional computer tomography(CT) images scanned from one of the rabbit bones, and a static load of 6 kg(1.5 times the rabbit's body weight) was applied to represent running. The model was validated using the experimental strain gauge data, then geometric and elemental convergence tests were performed in order to find the minimum number of cross-sectional scans and elements respectively required for convergence. The analysis was then performed using both the model and the experimental results to investigate the mechanical behaviour of the rabbit tibia under compressive load and to examine crack initiation.RESULTS: The experimental tests showed that un der a compressive load of up to 12 kg, the rabbit tibia demonstrates linear behaviour with little hysteresis Up to 30 kg, the bone does not fail by elastic buckling however, there are low levels of tensile stress which predominately occur at and adjacent to the anterio border of the tibial midshaft: this suggests that fatigue failure occurs in these regions, since bone under cycli loading initially fails in tension. The FE model predic tions were consistent with both mechanics theory and the strain gauge results. The model was highly sensi tive to small changes in the position of the applied load due to the high slenderness ratio of the rabbit s tibia. The modelling technique used in the curren study could have applications in the development o human FE models of bone, where, unlike rabbit tibia the model would be relatively insensitive to very sma changes in load position. However, the rabbit mode itself is less beneficial as a tool to understand the me chanical behaviour of TSFs in humans due to the sma size of the rabbit bone and the limitations of human scale CT scanning equipment.CONCLUSION: The current modelling technique could be used to develop human FE models. However, the rabbit model itself has significant limitations in under standing human TSF mechanics.

Seismic performance of double-skin steel-concrete composite box piers: Part Ⅱ—Nonlinear finite element analysis

An accurate finite element （ FE） model was constructed to examine the hysteretic behavior of double-skin steel-concrete composite box （ DSCB） piers for further understanding the seismic performance of DSCB piers; where the local buckling behavior of steel tubes, the confinement of the in-filled concrete and the interface action between steel tube and in-filled concrete were considered. The accuracy of the proposed FE model was verified by the bidirectional cyclic loading test results. Based on the validated FE model, the effects of some key parameters, such as section width to steel thickness ratio, slenderness ratio, aspect ratio and axial load ratio on the hysteretic behavior of DSCB piers were investigated. Finally, the skeleton curve model of DSCB piers was proposed. The numerical simulation results reveal that the peak strength and elastic stiffness decrease with the increase of the section width to steel thickness ratio. Moreover, the increase of the slenderness ratio may result in a significant reduction in the peak strength and elastic stiffness while the ultimate displacement increases. The proposed skeleton curve model can be taken as a reference for seismic performance analyses of the DSCB piers.

Rapid Modeling and Finite Element Analysis of Missile Stiffener

Stiffener is the important missile structure to ensure the structural strength of the missile. In order to improve the design efficiency and the quality of the missile stiffener, the methods of missile stiffener rapid modeling and analysis are proposed. First, the problems of traditional manual modeling of the stiffener are analyzed. According to the problems and actual requirement of modeling, volume decomposition method is used to divide the stiffener into the upper section, the lower section and the web in order for feature analysis and parameter extraction. Then based on the parameters the basic unit decomposed above is created for Boolean operation to establish the stiffener. Finally, a rapid stiffener modeling and analysis program were developed based on UG Open API, the modeling and analysis result validates the feasibility of the method.

Stress Distribution in Maxillary Central Incisors without Ferrules: A Finite Element Analysis of Post and Core Systems

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify optimal post and core materials for central incisors without ferrules using three-dimensional finite element analysis and three-point bending tests. Methods: Stress analyses were performed with six models: cast metal post and core (MP), composite resin core alone, straight fiber-reinforced post-composite resin core (FSR), tapered fiber-reinforced post-composite resin core, straight titanium post-composite resin core (TSR), and tapered titanium post-composite resin core (TTR). A 100-N load was applied to the lingual surface at a 45° angle to the long axis of the tooth. Maximum von Mises stress distributions were calculated with finite element analysis software. Five samples each of composite resin, straight fiber-reinforced post, straight titanium post, straight fiber-reinforced post and composite resin, and straight titanium post and composite resin were subjected to three-point bending tests, followed by analysis of variance and Tukey’s multiple comparison test. Results: Stress distribution was optimal on TTR. Maximum von Mises stress on the cervical side of the post was greatest in TSR (693 MPa) and TTR (556 MPa). Maximum stress on the apical side of the post was greatest in MP (110 MPa). Maximum stress in surrounding dentin was lowest in MP (203 MPa) and TTR (250 MPa). Gap distance was smallest in MP (0.09 mm) and largest in FSR (0.26 mm). Mean maximum three-point bending force was lowest in composite resin (26.9 N/mm) and highest in titanium post and composite resin (97.1 N/mm). Titanium post bending strength was consistently greater than that of the fiber-reinforced post (p < 0.01). Conclusion: These results revealed optimal stress distribution and high bending strength with the tapered titanium post and resin combination, suggesting that this combination can most effectively prevent root or post fracture in an anterior tooth without a ferrule.

Experimental and finite element analysis for fracture of coating layer of galvannealed steel sheet

Mechanical properties of galvannealed (GA) steel sheet used for automotive exposed panel and predicted failure phenomenon of its coating layer were evaluated using finite element method. V-bending test was performed to understand better the fracture of coating layer of GA steel sheet during plastic deformation. Yield strength of the coating layer was calculated by using a relative difference between hardness of coating layer measured from the nano-indentation test and that of substrate. To measure shearing strength at the interface between substrate and coating layer, shearing test with two specimens attached by an adhesive was carried out. Using the mechanical properties measured, a series of finite element analyses coupled with a failure model was performed. Results reveal that the fracture of coating layer occurs in an irregular manner at the region where compressive deformation is dominant. Meanwhile, a series of vertical cracks perpendicular to material surface are observed at the tensile stressed-region. It is found that 0.26-0.28 of local equivalent plastic strain exists at the coating and substrate at the beginning of failure. The fracture of coating layer depends on ductility of the coating layer considerably as well.

Dynamic Characteristics of Inflated Torus Using Finite Element Analysis

In recent years, inflatable structures have been a subject of interest for space applications such as communication antenna, solar thermal propulsion and entry/landing systems. The inflatable structures characterized by high strength-to-mass ratios, minimal stowage volume, which makes them suitable for cost-effective large space structures. A typical example for the inflatable structure is the inflated torus which often used in order to provide structure support. In this study, our main focus is to understand the dynamic characteristics of an inflated torus in order to formulate an accurate mathematical model suitable for active vibration control applications. A commercial finite element package, ANSYS, is used to model the inflated torus. To verify the model the obtained frequencies and mode shapes are compared with the published results, which are derived using analytical approach, the verification shows a good agreement between the FEM and the analytical results. Based on the verified model, parametric study was investigated; the material thickness increase causes the natural frequencies decrease, while the increase of the inflation pressure simply results in stiffening the ring, which means that the natural frequency increased. The FEM analysis gives an easy and fast way for the vibration analysis of the structures compared with the complicated analytical solutions.

Review: Recent Developments in the Non-Probabilistic Finite Element Analysis

Generally, the finite element analysis of a structure is completed under deterministic inputs.However,uncertainties corresponding to geometrical dimensions,material properties, boundary conditions cannot be neglected in engineering applications. The probabilistic methods are the most popular techniques to handle these uncertain parameters but subjective results could be obtained if insufficient information is unavailable. Non-probabilistic methods can be alternatively employed,which has led to the procedures for nonprobabilistic finite element analysis. Each non-probabilistic finite element analysis method consists of two individual parts,including the core algorithm and pre-processing procedure. In this context,three types of algorithms and two typical pre-processing procedures as well as their effectiveness are described in detail,based on which novel hybrid algorithms can be conceived for the specific problems and the future work in this research field can be fostered.

Hipbone Biomechanical Finite Element Analysis and Clinical Study after the Resection of Ischiopubic Tumors

Objective To investigate the changes of hipbone biomechanics after the resection of ischiopubic tumors and their relationships with the complications in the convalescent stage, and directing the postoperative pelvic reconstruction. Methods DICOM data were used to create an intact hipbone finite element model and postoperative model. The biomechanical indices on the same region in the two models under the same boundary condition were compared. The differences of displacement, stress, and strain of the two models were analyzed with statistical methods. Results The distribution areas of the hipbone nodes' displacement, stress, and strain were similar before and after the simulated operation. The sacroiliac joint nodes' displacement (P=0.040) and strain (P=0.000), and the acetabular roof nodes' stress (P=0.000) and strain (P=0.005) of two models had significant differences, respectively. But the sacroiliac joint nodes' stress (P=0.076) and the greater sciatic notch nodes' stress (P=0.825) and strain (P=0.506) did not have significant differences. Conclusions The resection of ischiopubic tumors mainly affect the biomechanical states of the homolateral sacroiliac joint and acetabular roof. The complications in the convalescent stage are due to the biomechanical changes of the sacroiliac joint and the acetabular roof and disappearances of the stabilization and connection functions of the pubic symphysis and superior ramus of pubis.

2D Finite Element Analysis of Asynchronous Machine Influenced Under Power Quality Perturbations

Asynchronous machines are predominantly preferred in industrial sectors for its reliability.Power quality perturbations have a greater impact on industries;among the different power quality events,voltage fluctuations are the most common and that may cause adverse effect on machine’s operation since they are longer enduring.The article discusses a numerical technique for evaluating asynchronous motors while taking into account magnetic saturation,losses,leakage flux,and voltage drop.A 2D linear analysis involving a multi-slice time stepping finite element model is used to predict the end effects.As an outcome,the magnetic saturation and losses are estimated using amodified 2D nonlinear time-stepping finite element formulation.The method takes the electromagnetic fields at the ends of the motor into account using limited computer resources.The proposed method will greatly reduce computation timewith limited computer resources for analyzing themachine’s performance with high precision.The analyzed findings assist in preventing voltage variance issues in the power network system and provide suggestions for developing a robust system.

Application of Finite Element Analysis in Biomechanical Research of Degenerative Diseases of Lumbar Spine

As the elderly population continues to grow, the number of patients with low back pain is gradually increasing. Among them, Lumbar Degenerative Diseases (LDD) is one of the major contributors to low back pain. Biomechanical in vivo studies of the lumbar spine are mainly performed by implants or imaging data to record the real-time changes of form and stress on the intervertebral disc during motion. However, the current developments are slow due to the technological and ethical limitations. In vitro experiments include animal experiments and cadaver experiments, which are difficult to operate or differ greatly from normal human structures, and the results still need to be verified repeatedly to test their accuracy. As for finite element method, it is relatively low cost and can repeat the experimental results. Therefore, we believe that finite element analysis plays an extremely important role in biomechanical research, especially in analyzing the relationship between different surgical models and the degeneration caused by different mechanics.

3D finite element analysis of a two-surface wear model in fretting tests

This article aims at developing a computationally efficient framework to simulate the erosion of two contact surfaces in three-dimensional(3D),depending on the body resistance.The framework involves finite element(FE)resolution of a fretting problem,wear computation via a non-local criterion including a wear distribution parameter(WDP),as well as updating of the geometry and automatic remeshing.Its originality is based on the capability to capture the damage on each surface and obtain local and global results for a quantitative and qualitative analysis.Numerical simulations are carried out for two 3D contact specimens with different values of WDP.The results highlight the importance of correctly modelling wear:One-surface wear model is sufficient from a global point of view(wear volume),or whenever the wear resistance for a body is much higher than that of another one,whereas a 3D two-surface wear model is essential to capturing local effects(contact pressure,wear footprint,etc.)related to the difference in wear resistance of the bodies.

Three-dimensional modelling of shear keys in concrete gravity dams using an advanced grillage method

Contraction joint shear keys are resilient features of gravity dams that can be considered to increase the sliding safety factors or minimise seismic residual sliding displacements,allowing costly remedial actions to be avoided.This paper presents a novel,robust,and computationally efficient three-dimensional(3D)modelling and simulation strategy of gravity dams,using a series of adjacent cantilever beam elements to represent individual monoliths.These monoliths are interconnected in the longitudinal direction by 3D no-tension link elements representing the lumped shear key stiffness contributions at a particular elevation.The objective is to assess the shear key internal force demands,including the axial force,shear,and moment demands.Shear key demand-capacity ratios can then be assessed with related multi-axial failure envelopes.The 3D link element stiffness coefficients were derived from a series of 3D finite element(FE)solid models with a detailed representation of geometrical features of multiple shear keys.The results from the proposed method based on advanced grillage analysis show strong agreement with reference solutions from 3D FE solid models,demonstrating high accuracy and performance of the proposed method.The application of the proposed advanced grillage method to a dam model with two monoliths clearly shows the advantage of the proposed method,in comparison to the classical approach used in practise.

Importance of Three-Dimensional Piezoelectric Coupling Modeling in Quantitative Analysis of Piezoelectric Actuators

This paper demonstrates the importance of three-dimensional(3-D)piezoelectric coupling in the electromechanical behavior of piezoelectric devices using three-dimensional finite element analyses based on weak and strong coupling models for a thin cantilevered piezoelectric bimorph actuator.It is found that there is a significant difference between the strong and weak coupling solutions given by coupling direct and inverse piezoelectric effects(i.e.,piezoelectric coupling effect).In addition,there is significant longitudinal bending caused by the constraint of the inverse piezoelectric effect in the width direction at the fixed end(i.e.,3-D effect).Hence,modeling of these effects or 3-D piezoelectric coupling modeling is an electromechanical basis for the piezoelectric devices,which contributes to the accurate prediction of their behavior.

Evaluation value of three-dimensional finite element model analysis for bone mineral density and bone metabolism activity in patients with osteoporosis

Objective: To study the evaluation value of three-dimensional finite element model analysis for bone mineral density (BMD) and bone metabolism activity in patients with osteoporosis. Methods: A total of 218 patients who were diagnosed with osteoporosis in the hospital between February 2014 and January 2017 were collected as observation group, and 100 healthy volunteers who received physical examination in the hospital during the same period were selected as normal control group. The femoral head of the two groups was analyzed by three-dimensional finite element model, and the femoral head BMD levels and serum bone metabolism index contents were measured. Pearson test was used to evaluate the evaluation value of femoral head three-dimensional finite element model for osteoporosis. Results: The cancellous bone and cortical bone Von Mises stress value of observation group were lower than those of normal control group, and femoral neck BMD value of observation group was lower than that of normal control group;serum bone metabolism index BGP content was lower than that of normal control group while NBAP, TRACP-5b and CTX-1 contents were higher than those of normal control group. Pearson test showed that the cancellous bone and cortical bone Von Mises stress value of patients with osteoporosis were directly correlated with BMD value and bone metabolism index contents. Conclusion: The three-dimensional finite element model analysis resultsof patients with osteoporosis can objectively reflect the femoral headBMD value and bone metabolism activity, and is a reliable way to evaluate the risk of long-term fractures.

Validation and application of three-dimensional discontinuous deformation analysis with tetrahedron finite element meshed block

In the last decade, three dimensional discontin- uous deformation analyses （3D DDA） has attracted more and more attention of researchers and geotechnical engineers worldwide. The original DDA formulation utilizes a linear displacement function to describe the block movement and deformation, which would cause block expansion under rigid body rotation and thus limit its capability to model block de- formation. In this paper, 3D DDA is coupled with tetrahe- dron finite elements to tackle these two problems. Tetrahe- dron is the simplest in the 3D domain and makes it easy to implement automatic discretization, even for complex topol- ogy shape. Furthermore, element faces will remain planar and element edges will remain straight after deformation for tetrahedron finite elements and polyhedral contact detection schemes can be used directly. The matrices of equilibrium equations for this coupled method are given in detail and an effective contact searching algorithm is suggested. Valida- tion is conducted by comparing the results of the proposed coupled method with that of physical model tests using one of the most common failure modes, i.e., wedge failure. Most of the failure modes predicted by the coupled method agree with the physical model results except for 4 cases out of the total 65 cases. Finally, a complex rockslide example demon- strates the robustness and versatility of the coupled method.

Three-dimensional finite element analysis of shallow indentation of rough strain-hardening surface

Three-dimensional finite element modeling of the contact between a rigid spherical indenter and a rough surface is presented when considering both the loading and unloading phases. The relationships among the indentation load, displacement, contact area, and mean contact pressure for both loading and unloading are established through a curve fitting using sigmoid logistic and power law functions. The contact load is proportional to the contact area, and the mean contact pressure is related to the characteristic stress, which is dependent on the material properties. The residual displacement is proportional to the maximum indentation displacement. A proportional relationship also exists for plastically dissipated energy and work conducted during loading. The surface roughness results in an effective elastic modulus calculated from an initial unloading stiffness several times larger than the true value of elastic modulus. Nonetheless, the calculated modulus under a shallow spherical indentation can still be applied for a relative comparison.

Three-dimensional forward modeling for magnetotelluric sounding by finite element method

A finite element algorithm combined with divergence condition was presented for computing three-dimensional(3D) magnetotelluric forward modeling. The finite element equation of three-dimensional magnetotelluric forward modeling was derived from Maxwell's equations using general variation principle. The divergence condition was added forcedly to the electric field boundary value problem, which made the solution correct. The system of equation of the finite element algorithm was a large sparse, banded, symmetric, ill-conditioned, non-Hermitian complex matrix equation, which can be solved using the Bi-CGSTAB method. In order to prove correctness of the three-dimensional magnetotelluric forward algorithm, the computed results and analytic results of one-dimensional geo-electrical model were compared. In addition, the three-dimensional magnetotelluric forward algorithm is given a further evaluation by computing COMMEMI model. The forward modeling results show that the algorithm is very efficient, and it has a lot of advantages, such as the high precision, the canonical process of solving problem, meeting the internal boundary condition automatically and adapting to all kinds of distribution of multi-substances.