Exponential Matrix Method Research Articles

Lamb waves in sandwich structures: Anomalous dispersion and transverse (quasi) resonances

Guided waves propagating in three layered sandwich structures with extremely soft inner layer and thin stiff outer layers reveal peculiar phenomena related to the appearance of dual zero group velocities (ZGV) in the fundamental symmetric branch, transverse (quasi) resonances, and transverse energy fluxes, causing “ringing” of the plates and even material damage. The current research relates to sandwich plates, satisfying the so-called Wiechert condition. The analysis is based on the combined method comprising Cauchy sextic formalism and the exponential fundamental matrix method.

3D electro-elastic static analysis of advanced plates and shells

The proposed three-dimensional (3D) coupled electro-elastic shell model allows the static analysis of smart structures embedding classical piezoelectric and functionally graded piezoelectric layers. Plates, cylindrical and spherical panels are investigated in both sensor and actuator configurations. The primary variables of the coupled model are displacement components and the electric potential. Therefore, displacements, stresses, strains, electric potential and electric displacements are calculated for smart structures used as sensors (applied mechanical load) and smart structures used as actuators (applied electric potential). In the case of spherical shells, 3D equilibrium equations are coupled with the 3D divergence electric displacement equation. The obtained coupled system is also valid for cylindrical shells and plates thanks to the use of a mixed curvilinear orthogonal reference system. The partial differential governing equations are solved using the Navier harmonic form and the exponential matrix method for simply supported structures. Preliminary assessments are proposed to validate the model and further benchmarks are analyzed to discuss the effects connected with the thickness ratio, the lamination scheme, the load conditions, the geometry of the structures and the employed materials. The main innovation point of the proposed model is the possibility to analyze several geometries including different materials and applied loads by means of a unique and general formulation where partial differential equations are solved in closed form. The use of functionally graded piezoelectric materials allows to eliminate all stress component discontinuities at each layer interface.

Three-dimensional vibration analysis of multilayered composite and functionally graded piezoelectric plates and shells

In the present paper, a coupled 3D exact electro-elastic shell model for Functionally Graded (FG) and composite piezoelectric structures is proposed. Primary variables of the electro-elastic model are the electric potential and the three displacement components. The model allows to evaluate the piezoelectric effect in terms of frequencies and vibration modes. Both closed and open circuit configurations are analyzed and compared. The 3D equilibrium equations and the 3D divergence electric displacement equation for spherical shells give the set of partial differential equations for the electro-elastic problem. The proposed model for spherical shells automatically degenerates into simpler models for plates and cylindrical shells via properly considerations on radii of curvature along in-plane directions. The orthogonal mixed curvilinear coordinates α, β and z are employed. The partial differential governing equations have constant coefficients considering fictitious layers and they are solved using the Navier harmonic form and the exponential matrix method. These features lead to an exact solution for simply-supported boundary conditions. Free vibration analyses are conducted and circular frequencies for the first three thickness vibration modes are computed. After a global assessment phase to verify the correctness of the developed model, new benchmarks are proposed: different thickness ratios and material configurations are investigated. The present work can be intended as a reference general solution for those scientists interested in the study of piezoelectric structures via 2D analytical and numerical formulations.

Dirac cones in three-layered plates

The proper Dirac-like cones are observed in dispersion portraits of guided waves propagating in isotropic three-layered traction-free plates. It is revealed that if both layers have equal Poisson’s ratios and satisfy Wiechert condition, the Dirac-like cones appear regardless of the Poisson’s ratio value. This phenomenon opens a new approach for the creation of the layered plates possessing Dirac-like cones. The analysis is based on the Cauchy sextic formalism combined with the exponential fundamental matrix method.

On infinite group velocity in composite plates

The analytical and geometrical conditions for the possible appearance of the infinite group velocity (IGV) points belonging to the dispersion curves of Lamb waves propagating in traction-free plates are studied by a combined method comprising Cauchy sextic formalism and the exponential fundamental matrix method. According to the obtained geometrical condition, the IGV corresponds to the coincidence of a tangent line to any of the dispersion curves with a straight line passing through the origin. The developed technique is demonstrated by applying to the analysis of Lamb wave dispersion in three-layered plates with a soft inner core.

A coupled hygro-elastic 3D model for steady-state analysis of functionally graded plates and shells

Abstract This 3D coupled hygro-elastic model proposes the three-dimensional (3D) equilibrium equations associated with the 3D Fick diffusion equation for spherical shells. The primary unknowns of the problem are the displacements and the moisture content. This coupled 3D exact shell model allows to understand the effects of the moisture field in relation with the elastic field on stresses and deformations in different plates and shells. This model is specifically developed for configurations including functionally graded material (FGM) layers. Four different geometries are analyzed using an orthogonal mixed curvilinear reference system. The main advantage of this reference system for spherical shells is the degeneration of the equations to those for simpler geometries. The solving method is the exponential matrix method in the thickness direction. The closed-form solution is possible because of simply supported sides and harmonic forms for displacements and moisture content. The moisture content amplitudes are directly applied at the top and bottom outer faces through steady-state hypotheses. The final system is based on a set of coupled homogeneous second-order differential equations. The moisture field effects are evaluated for the static analysis in terms of displacement, strain, and stress components. After preliminary validations, used to better understand how to properly define the calculation of the curvature-related terms and FGM properties, four new benchmarks are proposed for several thickness ratios, geometrical data, FGM configurations, and moisture values imposed at the external surfaces. From the results, it is clear the accordance between the uncoupled hygro-elastic model and this new coupled hygro-elastic model when the 3D Fick diffusion law is employed. Both effects connected with the thickness layer and the embedded material are included in the 3D hygro-elastic analyses proposed. The 3D coupled hygro-elastic model is simpler than the uncoupled one because the 3D Fick diffusion law does not have to be separately solved.

Guided waves in layered media: Twin ZGV and ambiguity of dispersion spectrum

The twin zero group velocity (ZGV) points are observed, which belong to the fundamental symmetric branch (S 0) of Lamb waves propagating in a composite traction-free layered plate containing odd number of layers with alternating physical properties. It is shown that in a vicinity of these ZGV points an ambiguity of dispersion spectrum takes place, resulting in the appearance of several waves, which (i) belong to the same fundamental mode; (ii) satisfy the same boundary conditions; and, (iii) propagate at the same frequency, however (iv) with different phase velocities. The analysis is based on a combination of Cauchy formalism and the exponential fundamental matrix method.

Hygro-Elastic Coupling in a 3D Exact Shell Model for Bending Analysis of Layered Composite Structures

In this work, a 3D fully coupled hygro-elastic model is proposed. The moisture content profile is a primary variable of the model’s displacements. This generic fully coupled 3D exact shell model allows the investigations into the consequences arising from moisture content and elastic fields in terms of stresses and deformations on different plate and shell configurations embedded in composite and laminated layers. Cylinders, plates, cylindrical and spherical shells are analyzed in the orthogonal mixed curvilinear reference system. The 3D equilibrium equations and the 3D Fick diffusion equation for spherical shells are fully coupled in a dedicated system. The main advantage of the orthogonal mixed curvilinear coordinates is related to the degeneration of the equations for spherical shells to simpler geometries thanks to basic considerations of the radii of curvature. The exponential matrix method is used to solve this fully coupled model based on partial differential equations in the thickness direction. The closed-form solution is related to simply supported sides and harmonic forms for displacements and the moisture content. The moisture content amplitudes are directly applied at the top and bottom outer faces through steady-state hypotheses. The final system is based on a set of coupled homogeneous second-order differential equations. A first-order differential equation system is obtained by redoubling the number of variables. The moisture field implications are evaluated for the static analysis of the plates and shells in terms of displacement and stress components. After preliminary validations, new benchmarks are proposed for several thickness ratios, geometrical and material data, lamination sequences and moisture values imposed at the external surfaces. In the proposed results, there is clearly accordance between the uncoupled hygro-elastic model (where the 3D Fick diffusion law is separately solved) and this new fully coupled hygro-elastic model: the differences between the investigated variables (displacements, moisture contents, stresses and strains) are always less than 0.3%. The main advantages of the 3D coupled hygro-elastic model are a more compact mathematical formulation and lower computational costs. Both effects connected with the thickness layer and the embedded materials are included in the conducted hygro-elastic analyses.

On infinite group velocity of Lamb waves

The analytical and geometrical conditions for the possible appearance of the infinite group velocity (IGV) points belonging to the dispersion curves of Lamb waves propagating in traction-free plates are studied by a combined method comprising Cauchy sextic formalism and the exponential fundamental matrix method. According to the obtained geometrical condition, the IGV corresponds to the coincidence of a tangent line to any of the dispersion curves with a straight line passing through the origin. The developed technique is demonstrated by applying it to the analysis of Lamb wave dispersion in a Ge cubic crystal.

A Layer-Wise Coupled Thermo-Elastic Shell Model for Three-Dimensional Stress Analysis of Functionally Graded Material Structures

In this work, a coupled 3D thermo-elastic shell model is presented. The primary variables are the scalar sovra-temperature and the displacement vector. This model allows for the thermal stress analysis of one-layered and sandwich plates and shells embedding Functionally Graded Material (FGM) layers. The 3D equilibrium equations and the 3D Fourier heat conduction equation for spherical shells are put together into a set of four coupled equations. They automatically degenerate in those for simpler geometries thanks to proper considerations about the radii of curvature and the use of orthogonal mixed curvilinear coordinates α, β, and z. The obtained partial differential governing the equations along the thickness direction are solved using the exponential matrix method. The closed form solution is possible assuming simply supported boundary conditions and proper harmonic forms for all the unknowns. The sovra-temperature amplitudes are directly imposed at the outer surfaces for each geometry in steady-state conditions. The effects of the thermal environment are related to the sovra-temperature profiles through the thickness. The static responses are evaluated in terms of displacements and stresses. After a proper and global preliminary validation, new cases are presented for different thickness ratios, geometries, and temperature values at the external surfaces. The considered FGM is metallic at the bottom and ceramic at the top. This FGM layer can be embedded in a sandwich configuration or in a one-layered configuration. This new fully coupled thermo-elastic model provides results that are coincident with the results proposed by the uncoupled thermo-elastic model that separately solves the 3D Fourier heat conduction equation. The differences are always less than 0.5% for each investigated displacement, temperature, and stress component. The differences between the present 3D full coupled model and the the advantages of this new model are clearly shown. Both the thickness layer and material layer effects are directly included in all the conducted coupled thermal stress analyses.

Detecting “invisible” layers in layered composites

Lamb waves propagating in a layered structure consisting of layers with equal acoustic impedances, is studied by a variant of Cauchy sextic formalism and the exponential fundamental matrix method. It is shown that the dispersion portraits provide enough information to distinguish individual layers, even if their acoustic impedances are identical, making such layers indistinguishable by the pulse – echo method. It is revealed that the developed methodology is adequate for determining geometrical and physical properties of the individual layers with equal acoustic impedances.

Acoustic waves in functionally graded rods: polynomial inhomogeneity

The harmonic acoustic waves in a semi-infinite functionally graded (FG) 1D rod with a longitudinal arbitrary inhomogeneity are analyzed by a combined method based on the modified Cauchy formalism and the exponential matrix method. The closed form dispersion equations for harmonic waves are constructed, yielding the implicit dispersion relations for acoustic waves in FG rods. For longitudinal inhomogeneity of polynomial type the corresponding dispersion relations are constructed explicitly.

Guided waves in stratified media with equal acoustic impedances

Dispersion of guided waves propagating in layered media containing layers with equal acoustic impedances is analyzed by Cauchy sextic formalism coupled with the exponential fundamental matrix method. The cases of layers with equal acoustic impedances apparently have not been studied yet. However, dispersion in such a medium exhibits several peculiarities that may be essential for developing the acoustic non-destructive testing methods.

Fundamental modes of guided waves in stratified plates: appearing transverse quasi-resonances

It has long been known that the transverse resonances may occur at propagating higher modes of guided waves in homogeneous plates. These resonances are associated with the appearing zero group velocities (ZGV) at which the flux of energy becomes orthogonal to the direction of propagation. The current research focuses on the transverse resonances found in propagating fundamental symmetric modes (S 0) in some multilayered plates. The observed phenomenon may clarify the interlayer damages and delamination at the guided wave excitation and propagation in heterogeneous structures. Cauchy sextic formalism, coupled with the exponential fundamental matrix method, is used for analyzing the transverse resonances.

Appearing ZGV point in the first flexural branch of Lamb waves in multilayered plates

Appearing the zero group velocity (ZGV) point belonging to the first quasi flexural branch (A1) of Lamb waves propagating in the multilayered traction-free plates containing homogeneous isotropic layers is observed and analyzed; in contrast to the previously studied homogeneous isotropic plates admitting ZGV points that may belong to the higher flexural modes (A2, A3, …) and higher symmetric modes. The detected ZGV point in a multilayered traction-free plate leads to the transverse quasi resonance occurred at the lower frequency than the previously studied resonance associated with the first symmetric mode (S1) and especially higher symmetric and flexural modes. The analysis is done by the combined method comprising Cauchy sextic formalism and the exponential fundamental matrix method.

3D hygro-elastic shell model for the analysis of composite and sandwich structures

The present work proposes the study of the hygrometric loading effects in the static analysis of multilayered composite and sandwich plates and shells. The employed model is based on a general exact 3D shell theory valid for one-layered and multilayered sandwich and composite plates, cylinders and cylindrical/spherical shell panels. The employed 3D equilibrium equations are developed in an orthogonal mixed curvilinear coordinate system for spherical shells in order to obtain the other simpler geometries as particular cases. A layer-wise approach is employed and equilibrium equations are solved in the thickness direction via the exponential matrix method. The partial derivatives in the in-plane directions are exactly calculated by assuming simply-supported edges and harmonic forms for the variables. The presented 3D shell model is extended to hygro-elastic cases by considering moisture content amplitudes imposed at the external surfaces of the structures in steady-state conditions. The moisture content profile through the thickness of the structures can be included in the 3D shell model using three different methodologies: it can be calculated by solving the steady-state 3D or 1D version of the Fick diffusion law, or it can be “a priori” assumed as linear through the thickness. Therefore, the developed system includes three non-homogeneous second order differential equilibrium equations that are solved after the introduction of opportune mathematical layers to consider the curvature effects through the thickness. The reduction to a first order differential equation system is obtained by redoubling the number of variables. The exponential matrix method is employed to accurately define both general and particular solutions. The implemented 3D hygro-elastic shell model is firstly validated and then it is employed with confidence for new benchmarks where the effects of thickness ratio, geometry, lamination scheme, material, thickness layer and imposed moisture content values at the external surfaces are investigated for composite and sandwich plates and shells. Showed results demonstrate the importance of an accurate developing of the elastic part of the 3D shell model combined with an appropriate evaluation of the moisture content profile through the thickness. Assumed linear moisture content profiles are correct only for thin one-layered isotropic structures, the use of the 1D Fick diffusion law allows only the correct definition of the material layer effect, the use of its 3D version allows the correct definition of both material and thickness layer effects.

3D Stress Analysis of Multilayered Functionally Graded Plates and Shells under Moisture Conditions

This paper presents the steady-state stress analysis of single-layered and multilayered plates and shells embedding Functionally Graded Material (FGM) layers under moisture conditions. This solution relies on an exact layer-wise approach; the formulation is unique despite the geometry. It studies spherical and cylindrical shells, cylinders, and plates in an orthogonal mixed curvilinear coordinate system (α, β, z). The moisture conditions are defined at the external surfaces and evaluated in the thickness direction under steady-state conditions following three procedures. This solution handles the 3D Fick diffusion equation, the 1D Fick diffusion equation, and the a priori assumed linear profile. The paper discusses their assumptions and the different results they deliver. Once defined, the moisture content acts as an external load; this leads to a system of three non-homogeneous second-order differential equilibrium equations. The 3D problem is reduced to a system of partial differential equations in the thickness coordinate, solved via the exponential matrix method. It returns the displacements and their z-derivatives as a direct result. The paper validates the model by comparing the results with 3D analytical models proposed in the literature and numerical models. Then, new results are presented for one-layered and multilayered FGM plates, cylinders, and cylindrical and spherical shells, considering different moisture contents, thickness ratios, and material laws.

Direct Evaluation of the Stress Intensity Factors for the Single and Multiple Crack Problems Using the P-Version Finite Element Method and Contour Integral Method

Stress intensity factor (SIF) is one of three important parameters in classical linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM). The evaluation of SIFs is of great significance in the field of engineering structural and material damage assessment, such as aerospace engineering and automobile industry, etc. In this paper, the SIFs of a central straight crack plate, a slanted single-edge cracked plate under end shearing, the offset double-edge cracks rectangular plate, a branched crack in an infinite plate and a crucifix crack in a square plate under bi-axial tension are extracted by using the p-version finite element method (P-FEM) and contour integral method (CIM). The above single- and multiple-crack problems were investigated, numerical results were compared and analyzed with results using other numerical methods in the literature such as the numerical manifold method (NMM), improved approach using the finite element method, particular weight function method and exponential matrix method (EMM). The effectiveness and accuracy of the present method are verified.

Analysis of crack parameters under pure Mode II loading by modified exponential matrix method

A new analytical method for calculating the Stress Intensity Factor (SIF) under Mode II loading is presented in the framework of two-dimensional stationary elasticity. Starting from the linear elasticity equations, the crack problem is formulated as a system of Hamiltonian equations, solved based on a new method for determining eigensystems, called Exponential Matrix Method (EMM). The obtained eigensolutions satisfy the adjoint symplectic orthogonality by means of performing an angular stress variation with respect to the radial stress. The linear combination of these eigensolutions then allows a good description of the expected solution. Related to one of the asymptotic expansion coefficients, the SIF under Mode II Loading is calculated using the trapezoidal integration method (TIM). The implemented methodology validation is carried out by comparing the obtained results with those provided by the literature review.

Observance of Stoneley waves at the Lamb wave dispersion in stratified media

Observance of Stoneley waves at the guided wave dispersion in stratified plates containing layers with alternating contrast physical properties is analyzed by applying Cauchy sextic formalism coupled with the exponential fundamental matrix method. Additional high-frequency asymptotes related to appearing interfacial Stoneley waves are detected and analyzed. Comparison with the case when Stoneley waves do not exist is presented.