Finite Element Model Of Structure Research Articles

A novel damage identification method based on acceleration response sensitivity and finite element model updating: Numerical and experimental

The utilization of time-domain data for structural damage diagnosis and finite element model updating has several benefits, such as direct implementation of the measured data with no requirement for domain changing and susceptibility to structural damages. This study introduces a straightforward sensitivity relation for the measured acceleration response, avoiding the requirement for computational techniques like direct differentiation methods. The proposed equation establishes a linear relationship between variations of the structural parameters and structural responses. The proposed sensitivity equation operates at the level of improved equations and exhibits greater accuracy compared to the current approaches. The numerical evaluation of the proposed sensitivity equation on two offshore jacket platforms reveals the accuracy of the proposed method. Additionally, an experimental case study to examine the efficacy and validation of the introduced sensitivity relation in real-world settings demonstrates the procedure’s viability. The numerical and experimental results reveal the accuracy of the proposed sensitivity equation.

An efficient Bayesian method with intrusive homotopy surrogate model for stochastic model updating

AbstractThis paper proposes a new stochastic model updating method based on the homotopy surrogate model (HSM) and Bayesian sampling. As a novel intrusive surrogate model, the HSM is established by the homotopy stochastic finite element (FE) method. Then combining the advanced delayed‐rejection adaptive Metropolis–Hastings sampling technology with HSM, the structural FE model can be updated by uncertain measurement modal data. The numerical results show that the updating effectiveness of the proposed method is better than that of the Bayesian methods with the non‐intrusive surrogate models, such as stochastic response surface model and Kriging model. Compared to the Bayesian method with the intrusive second‐order perturbation model, the updating results of the proposed method are more accurate, especially when the fluctuation of the uncertain measured data is large and the stiffness of the structure significantly changes. The model updating results of a cable‐stayed bridge show that the statistic modal properties of the updated bridge model have a very good agreement with the uncertain measurement modal data.

Multi-physics and multi-objective optimization of a permanent magnet-assisted synchronous reluctance machine for traction applications

This contribution addresses the rotor design process of a Permanent Magnet-assisted Synchronous Reluctance Machine by adopting a multi-physics and multi-objective optimization algorithm. A Finite Element (FE) approach is employed to determine the electromagnetic and structural responses during the optimization. In particular, a detailed FE structural modeling is used, which often is based on simplifications and inaccuracies in the available literature. A genetic algorithm is adopted, with the objectives being the maximization of the mean torque, the minimization of the torque ripple and the minimization of the stress in the rotor. A parametric analysis of the geometric features precedes the optimization to establish the design variables which mostly affect the machine performance, and thus to reduce the computational cost of the optimization. The presented methodology consists of a useful tool for the final stages of the design process, and provides a rotor with a torque ripple reduced by 15.1% compared to an existing design used as a benchmark, while the mean torque and the maximum stress remain the same as the original configuration.

Working mechanism evaluations of full-scale joints with bolted-cover plate connection for modular steel buildings

The force-reliability of the modular structural joints is crucial for ensuring the structural integrity of modular steel buildings. However, the welds connecting the beam and column within the module are susceptible to tear during seismic events. This mode of failure greatly undermines the ability of these joints to withstand seismic forces. Four full-scale modular structural joints with bolted-cover plate connection were designed and conducted for seismic performance testing, emphasizing the significance of methods such as reinforcing diagonal braces and strengthening flanges on the protective effect of beam–column welds in the module. The simplified modular structural joint and frame finite element model were proposed based on experimental data, refined finite element modeling, and theoretical analysis. The findings suggest that the seismic behavior of the modular structural joint remains unaffected by variations in axial compression ratio within the designed range of parameters. The beam–column weld of the module in the reinforced joint exhibits almost no weld tearing, and both strengthening methods demonstrate exceptional capacity for energy dissipation. The proposed simplified modeling method facilitates the efficient determination of the modular structural joint bearing capacity and the lateral stiffness of the modular frame. The research findings presented in this paper can serve as a valuable reference point for the engineering design of modular steel structures.

Origami-Wrapped Structures with Corrugated Unfolded Forms

Stowage schemes based on origami wrapping patterns are useful for the design of various deployable spacecraft structures. These origami patterns allow for the compact stowage of flat sheets of small thickness. Typically, some other structure is needed to stiffen this thin sheet when it is fully deployed and flat. This paper describes a class of thin-shell structures that can be compactly stowed using origami wrapping methods but have a corrugated form when deployed. These structures cannot reach a flat state by design. The persistent corrugations provide stiffness without the need for an external structure, thus leading to overall savings in mass and complexity. The geometrical design of the corrugations is highly tunable. This paper describes a method for generating the form of these folding structures; the method guarantees that the structure can be unstrained both when compactly wrapped and when fully deployed. Test articles are fabricated to demonstrate the concept, and stowage experiments and stiffness experiments are conducted. A structural finite element modeling procedure is described to predict the deployed stiffness of these structures, and the stiffness predictions match the experimental results.

Numerical modelling and investigation of CFS built-up stud walls in fire

Cold-formed steel (CFS) stud walls with the studs made of BC (built-up back-to-back CFS channel) and NC (built-up nested CFS channel) members are likely to be utilised in many applications in CFS building structures. However, the knowledge and understanding related to the thermal and structural behaviour of these improved CFS stud walls under fire exposure and their FRLs (fire resistance levels) are still limited. Although standard fire tests of real-sized walls could show the behaviour and FRL of some BC and NC stud walls, their results are limited because of their high cost and time-consuming nature, and are applicable to only the tested configurations. In this study, thermal and sequentially coupled structural finite element models were established. The validation of these models was achieved using the standard fire test results of real-sized BC, NC and channel stud walls. Later, parametric investigations based on the established models were undertaken to investigate the behaviour and FRLs of load-bearing BC, NC and channel stud walls with or without cavity insulation under varying load ratios. The outcomes from these investigations clarified the superiority of cavity insulated NC stud walls. Details of this study and its outcomes are presented in this paper.

SEISMIC BEHAVIOR OF MULTI-STORIED RC BUILDING WITH RE-ENTRANT CORNER

Nowadays, buildings often feature irregular floor plans for functional, aesthetic, or economic reasons. Constructing earthquake-resistant structures in seismic areas, especially with irregular shapes like re-entrant corners, poses challenges. Such corners are common when maximizing limited space is a priority. In earthquakes, re-entrant corners in structures pose major vulnerabilities, causing stress concentration and torsion problems. The main aim of this paper is to develop finite element structural analysis models of 10, 12, and 15-storied L-shaped RC buildings with a re-entrant corner under different seismic zones using equivalent static analysis (ESA) and response spectrum analysis (RSA). This research also focuses on the overall behavior of analysis results (story drift, overturning moment, base shear, etc.) with the influence of re-entrant corner. It also investigates the performance of columns and beams near re-entrant corners as the number of stories increases in different seismic zones. For the current study, ETABS V19 is used. Models consider seismic, dead, and live loads. The Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC) 2020 is used to examine the equivalent static analysis (ESA) and the response spectrum analysis (RSA) methods. It has been concluded from the study that re-entrant corner beams consistently exhibit the highest bending moments and torsion levels across all seismic zones. Similarly, re-entrant corner columns consistently demand the most axial force and rebar when compared to similar column types. Furthermore, the study identifies maximum stress levels in re-entrant corner slabs across all seismic zones.

Investigation of the Influence of Contact Patterns of Worm-Gear Sets on Friction Heat Generation during Meshing

Friction losses and scuffing failures are interesting research topics for worm gears. One of the factors leading to scuffing is the heat generated in the contact of gear teeth. The contact geometry of worm gears is complex, leading to high friction between contact surfaces. High friction between contact surfaces during operation generates heat friction that causes the occurrence of scuffing, which in turn determines the scuffing load capacity. To analyse the thermal characteristics of a worm-gear pair and the thermal behaviour of contact teeth, a direct-coupled thermal–structural 3D finite element model was applied. The heat flux due to friction-generated heat was determined on the gear tooth to investigate thermal characteristics and predict transient temperature fields. This study permits an in-depth understanding of the temperature fields and the friction heat generation process. Also, better control of the contact pattern between worm-gear teeth would decrease friction heat and increase scuffing load capacity. This paper investigates the transient thermal behaviour among different pinion machine setting parameters that can result in an optimal tooth-contact pattern that produces a lower temperature field, thus achieving higher transmission efficiency.

Finite-volume micromechanics-based multiscale analysis of composite structural model accounting for elastoplastic and ductile damage mechanisms

A hierarchical homogenization framework is proposed for nonlinear elastic-plastic and damage simulation of a unidirectional composite laminate. Proper scale transition rules between the macro- and the micro-scale variables were introduced, wherein the finite-element and finite-volume methods are employed for predicting the structural and material point response, respectively. Specifically, at the macroscopic scale, the ABAQUS/CAE structural analysis provides macroscopic strains for the lower-scale unit cell simulation (top-down) at each load increment. Reversely, at the microscopic scale, the unit cell problem is modelled using extended parametric finite-volume direct averaging micromechanics (FVDAM) through a Meta-UMAT subroutine that links the global finite element solver and the constitutive laws (UMAT subroutines). Homogenization of stresses and effective stiffness tensor obtained from the unit cell predictions is passed back to the ABAQUS/CAE for the higher-scale finite-element structural model computation (bottom-up). The stresses and strains at the global and local scales can be tracked during the incremental loading on the macroscopic structures through continuous homogenization and localization. The predictive capabilities of the proposed technique are verified vis-à-vis the experimental response of the Boron/Aluminum (B/Al) laminate obtained from off-axis tensile and shear loading available in the literature.

Predictive maturity of non-linear concrete constitutive models for impact simulation

This paper explores the concept of predictive maturity for non-linear concrete constitutive models employed in the computational prediction of the structural response of reinforced concrete structures to impact from free-flying missiles. Such concrete constitutive models are widely varied in complexity. Three constitutive models were utilized within the same finite element structural model to simulate the response of the IRIS III experiment. Each of the models were individually calibrated with available material testing data and also re-calibrated assuming limited availability of test data. When full calibration is possible, more sophisticated constitutive models appear to provide more predictive maturity; however, when this data is not available (e.g. for an existing structure where representative test specimens may not be available), the expected maturity is reduced. Indeed, this hypothesis is supported by the simulations that indicate good agreement with measured experimental response quantities from the IRIS III tests with complex constitutive models and full calibration, and accordingly poor predictions when less complex models are used or when the more sophisticated models are poorly calibrated. Thus, predictions of structural response where complete material testing data is not obtainable should be understood as less predictive.

A computational model for structural dynamics and reconfiguration of DNA assemblies

Recent advances in constructing a structured DNA assembly whose configuration can be dynamically changed in response to external stimuli have demanded the development of an efficient computational modeling approach to expedite its design process. Here, we present a computational framework capable of analyzing both equilibrium and non-equilibrium dynamics of structured DNA assemblies at the molecular level. The framework employs Langevin dynamics with structural and hydrodynamic finite element models that describe mechanical, electrostatic, base stacking, and hydrodynamic interactions. Equilibrium dynamic analysis for various problems confirms the solution accuracy at a near-atomic resolution, comparable to molecular dynamics simulations and experimental measurements. Furthermore, our model successfully simulates a long-time-scale close-to-open-to-close dynamic reconfiguration of the switch structure in response to changes in ion concentration. We expect that the proposed model will offer a versatile way of designing responsive and reconfigurable DNA machines.

Structural Health Monitoring Design and Performance Evaluation of a Middle-Span Bridge

Structural health monitoring (SHM) has attracted significant attention over the past two decades due to its ability to provide real-time insight into the condition of structures. Despite the development of several SHM systems for long-span bridges, which play a crucial role in the assessment of these structures, studies focusing on short- or middle-span bridges remain scarce. This research paper presents an efficient and practical bridge monitoring and warning system established on a middle-span bridge, a key crossroad bridge located in Shenzhen. The monitoring system consists of sensors and measuring points that collect a substantial amount of data, enabling the close monitoring of various operational indicators to facilitate the early detection of threshold exceedances. Based on this system, the subtle condition of the bridge can be evaluated, and the operational condition of the bridge can be studied through the comparative analysis of the collected data. Over four months of monitoring, data including the strain and creep of the main beam, the strain and settlement of piers and the crack width of the bridge body are observed. Furthermore, the real-time operational status of the bridge is analyzed and evaluated through the combination of the collected data and the structural finite element model.

The Analysis of Permanent Magnet Vernier Synchronous Machine Vibration and Noise

The permanent magnet vernier synchronous machine (PMVSM) has the characteristics of high torque density and high power density and has advantages in the field of low-speed and high-torque applications. The PMVSM utilizes rich harmonics for torque enhancement, but it can also cause an increase in radial electromagnetic force and vibration noise. In this paper, we take a 12-slot 10-pole PMVSM as an example to analyze the source of radial electromagnetic force, vibration and noise. The electromagnetic finite-element model and structural finite-element model of the PMVSM are established for calculation. Through the analysis and calculation of two-dimensional electromagnetic fields, the radial electromagnetic force distribution of the PMVSM is obtained. We derive the radial electromagnetic force formula of the PMVSM and verify the correctness of the formula through harmonic analysis of the radial electromagnetic force. The sources of radial electromagnetic forces at various orders and frequencies within the PMVSM are analyzed and summarized by coupling the radial electromagnetic force obtained from the electromagnetic finite-element model to the structural finite-element model and conducting electromagnetic vibration harmonic response analysis on the PMVSM. The measured acceleration spectrum of the prototype is compared with the finite-element method (FEM) results, verifying the correctness of the finite-element simulation results for electromagnetic vibration.

Quantifying the effect of rock armour scour protection on eigenfrequencies of a monopile supported OHVS

It is common practice to install scour protection systems during the construction of offshore wind farms. This is because the guidelines allow for a more optimal structural design, as the potential effects of scouring may be ignored. However, multiple sources, as well as measurements, suggest that there is an additional gain in stiffness which is not being taken into account by current guidelines. Scour protection has the ability to provide extra foundational stiffness to the monopile, which results in higher natural eigenfrequencies and mode shapes. In this paper the focus will be on an offshore high voltage station (OHVS) located in the North Sea and the impact of a rubble riprap scour protection on the foundational stiffness of the structure. Furthermore, a proposal is made on how to take these effects into account when calculating for design. This site was equipped with a mobile measurement system containing a multi-axial accelerometer, which was active in a period both before and after installation of the scour protection rock armour layer. In case of similar environmental circumstances, the eigenfrequencies of the OHVS were noticeably higher after the scour protection was installed, thus substantiating the claim of increased foundational stiffness. To perform numerical studies on the impact of the scour protection system on structural dynamics, an OHVS support structure finite element model was built. As no formally agreed upon formulation to include scour protection exists, two possible methods are proposed. One is adding a global accretion layer to model the scour protection as an additional soil layer. The other calculates an overburden pressure due to the scour protection weight, which translates to the stiffening of the upper soil layers of the foundation. Both methods have their own strengths and weaknesses, but more research on different locations and offshore structures is needed to formalize the definitive description for modelling scour protection.

Flutter Characteristics of a Joined-Wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle with Variable Dihedral Angles

A parametrized aeroelastic model is built to study the flutter characteristics of a new joined-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with variable dihedral angles. First, the substructure modal synthesis is introduced to construct the structural finite element model of the joined-wing UAV according to the connection relations between adjacent wing segments. Second, the doublet-lattice method is introduced to obtain the aerodynamic characteristics of each airfoil in subsonic flow, taking into account the interactions between each airfoil. After that, a parametrized aeroelastic model with variable inclination angles is established, and the p-k method is used for flutter calculations. The results show that the joined-wing UAV has wide ranges of flutter velocities and flutter frequencies, which show a nonlinear growth trend with the increase of the tail inclination angle owing to the flutter mode transitions. In addition, the forward sweep angles of the joined wing and the rigidity of the tail links both have significant impacts on the flutter characteristics of the joined-wing UAV.

Stress Analysis of Terminals From the Distribution of Screening Currents for the 40 T All-Superconducting Magnet Project

Stresses created by screening currents in high field superconducting magnets constructed of rare-earth barium-copper-oxide (REBCO) tapes have been shown to be a major issue that has led to reduced performance of some REBCO coils. Some superconducting alloys suffer more than REBCO when it comes to the degradation due to stress. It is becoming more commonplace to include the effects of screening currents in the design of REBCO coils. A 2D T-A electromagnetics model coupled with a structural COMSOL finite element model have been implemented to analyze strain from screening currents in the design of the 40 T all-superconducting magnet and associated test coils at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory. The T-A model considering transport current parallel to the plane was verified with the H-formulation. This model has been expanded to a 3-D structural model to investigate the strain in the REBCO terminals, which in-terface REBCO pancake-wound coils with the coil leads. The ef-fects of non-uniformly distributed magnetic field from the coil are considered and coupled with the screening current in the terminal. The stress and strain of multi-tape terminals caused by the screen-ing currents are investigated and discussed. The calculated axial strain is less than 0.3%, which is within the limit of the yield strain for REBCO coated conductors. The developed model can be used to simulation more complex geometry with different di-rections of transport current and background field.

Direct strength calculation of an aged single-bottom tanker during its towing in waves

Large engineering structures like ships and other floating structures require reliable and complex computations to ensure their structural integrity over their lifetime. This work presents an analysis of the structural integrity of an aged single-bottom tanker during its towing from Croatia to a scrapheap in Turkey. The ship is subjected to wave loading (corresponding to the global response) and towing force (corresponding to the local response). Computations were performed by a general hydro-structure tool that combines a 3D finite element (FE) structural model and a 3D boundary element (BE) model based on the Rankine panel theory, according to the guidelines of the relevant classification society. Time domain simulations were performed to take account of Froude-Krylov nonlinearities for a wave determined within the Equivalent Design Wave (EDW) approach. After the calculation of wave loading and its transfer to the FE model of a ship structure, the stresses were calculated and compared with the allowable values. The local strength assessment of the ship forecastle deck structure was also performed, considering the prescribed towing force as an imposed load. Both the procedure and the used computational tools are general and can be applied to any kind of ship or other floating structure.

Compatible interface wave–structure interaction model for combining mesh-free particle and finite element methods

This study presents a novel wave–structure interaction model, which is a compatible interface wave–structure interaction model that is based on mesh-free particle methods for free-surface flow analysis; the FEM for structural analysis. We adopt the explicitly represented polygon (ERP) wall boundary model, which is a polygon wall boundary model for mesh-free particle methods, to express the fluid–structure interfaces. The fluid–structure interfaces in the proposed model are geometrically compatible because the ERP model has advantages in dealing with complex-shaped and moving boundaries and it enables the direct use of surface meshes and shape functions given by finite element models of structures. This allows the automatic generation of polygons for free-surface flow analysis from finite elements, and therefore, it greatly increases the flexibility of the analysis. Based on the compatible interface between the polygons and finite elements, we propose a strong coupling algorithm based on an iterative partitioned scheme that defines the interacting models between the fluid and the structure. We model the force exerted by fluid particles on structures such that the kinetic boundary condition on the fluid–structure interface is satisfied. We perform the verification and validation tests of the proposed model by solving two benchmark problems.

Wind-Induced Responses of Corroded Angle-Steel Transmission Tower

Corroded transmission towers, whose load-bearing capacities are lowered, are suffering from wind-induced damage. By simulating the member corrosion through section thinning, the structural dynamic finite element model of an angle-steel transmission tower with a corrosion depth of 0 mm to 1.4 mm was established using ANSYS/LS-DYNA software. The incremental dynamic analysis method was used to study the collapse mode of the tower under different degrees of corrosion, as well as the effects of corrosion on structural self-vibration characteristics, wind-induced member stress, and tower-top displacement. The results show that with the corrosion deepening, the first three vibration frequencies decrease, and the torsional mode becomes the first mode. When the corrosion depth is smaller, the overall structure failure occurs under strong wind. The failure starts at the most unfavorable oblique rod between the upper and middle cross arm, then expands to the rods under the lower cross arm. When the corrosion depth is larger, the overall structure failure occurs restrictedly between the upper and middle cross arm. Internal axial force and bending moment redistribution happen when corrosion deepens. Under the critical failure state, the oblique rods are always at a high stress level, while the stresses of the main rods decrease. Corrosion has a stronger impact on component strength and stability than on structural stiffness.

Full-scale shaking table tests and numerical studies of structural frames with a hybrid isolation system

A typical hybrid isolation system (HIS) incorporating natural-rubber bearings (NRBs) and nonlinear fluid viscous dampers (NFVDs) is proposed for seismic protection of critical equipment in nuclear power industrial buildings (NPIBs) under strong earthquakes. Design procedure with a parametric study towards the HIS considering various stiffness and damping values is first investigated via extensive nonlinear time history analyses. Then a preliminary recommendation for the specific structural demands of the considered system is proposed to direct the seismic design for both member- and system-level tests. Through a suite of full-scale shaking table tests on two typical NPIBs, the efficiency and reliability of the HIS are verified, in comparison to the structure with conventional rubber isolation system (RIS). The shaking table test results exhibit a superior behavior of the HIS in structural dual control strategies, i.e., transient acceleration control in critical equipment and bearing deformation control. Also, the HIS presents stable and resilient performances in both negligible residual bearing deformation and undetectable damage to structural/nonstructural components (containing the seismic isolated devices, i.e., NRBs and NFVDs). Finally, a three-dimensional finite element (FE) structural model and a single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) system are successively developed to simulate the dynamic responses of the test structures. The well-validated SDOF FE model, serving as a reliable alternative for the isolated NPIBs, can be further utilized to facilitate practical design.