Abstract
Shape sensing as a crucial component of structural health monitoring plays a vital role in real-time actuation and control of smart structures, and monitoring of structural integrity. As a model-based method, the inverse finite element method (iFEM) has been proved to be a valuable shape sensing tool that is suitable for complex structures. In this paper, we propose a novel approach for the shape sensing of thin shell structures with iFEM. Considering the structural form and stress characteristics of thin-walled structure, the error function consists of membrane and bending section strains only which is consistent with the Kirchhoff–Love shell theory. For numerical implementation, a new four-node quadrilateral inverse-shell element, iDKQ4, is developed by utilizing the kinematics of the classical shell theory. This new element includes hierarchical drilling rotation degrees-of-freedom (DOF) which enhance applicability to complex structures. Firstly, the reconstruction performance is examined numerically using a cantilever plate model. Following the validation cases, the applicability of the iDKQ4 element to more complex structures is demonstrated by the analysis of a thin wallpanel. Finally, the deformation of a typical aerospace thin-wall structure (the composite tank) is reconstructed with sparse strain data with the help of iDKQ4 element.
Highlights
In the last decades, curved thin-shell structure such as composite tank of spacecraft has been widely used in aerospace because of its excellent bearing capacity and weight-saving [1,2]
In order to reconstruct the three-dimensional displacement field in real-time with strain data obtained from the structure surface, Tessler et al [20] developed an inverse Finite Element Method
It can be seen that the transverse displacement field reconstructed by inverse Finite Element Method (iFEM) is basically consistent with that calculated by Finite Element Method (FEM)
Summary
In the last decades, curved thin-shell structure such as composite tank of spacecraft has been widely used in aerospace because of its excellent bearing capacity and weight-saving [1,2]. The dynamic reconstruction of the three-dimensional displacement field of a structure known as shape sensing is a crucial component of structural health monitoring which provides data support for subsequent calculation of stress and strain and failure prediction. In order to reconstruct the three-dimensional displacement field in real-time with strain data obtained from the structure surface, Tessler et al [20] developed an inverse Finite Element Method (iFEM). The iFEM is formulated based on a weighted-least-square error functional between the analytical and experimental values of strain on the structure surface. All elements are developed based on Mindlin theory, and interpolated using the anisoparametric shape functions developed by Tessler and Hughes to avoid shear locking when modeling thin shell structures.
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