Multi-field Coupling Research Articles

Shrinkage separation prediction of concrete-filled steel tube arch bridge: A coupling model concerning multiple factors

The shrinkage separation is one of the key factors restricting the development of concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) arch bridge. In this paper, its mechanism and evaluation method concerning multiple factors, including structure, environment, material and construction were investigated. Firstly, the hydration process of in-tube concrete was simulated using the hydration degree as a basic state parameter. Then with the consideration of energy and mass conservation, as well as the moisture and heat transmission effects, the temperature and relative humidity fields, early-age mechanical properties, basic creep, and total deformation of in-tube concrete were further calculated. On the basis, in accordance with the stress criterion and displacement coordination, a multi-field (hydro-thermo-hygro-constraint) coupling model was finally established, taking the ratio of normal stress to bonding strength at the steel-concrete interface as the shrinkage separation risk index. The simulation results obtained from the model were in good agreements with the full-scale CFST model test.

Thermal dynamics in deep shale reservoirs: Influences of the kerogen microstructural behavior on the gas adsorption/desorption capacity

In shale gas extraction projects, an investigation into the mechanisms of energy/mass transfer associated with shale gas adsorption/desorption in organic matter (kerogen) microstructure under high temperature and stress condition is crucial for improving the efficiency of shale gas production. This study presents a coupling thermo-hydro-mechanical model based on an improved fractal method that could explain the microstructural evolution of the kerogen system and the resultant alterations during the gas adsorption/desorption process under varying thermal conduction, gas seepage, and stress conditions. The influence of porosity, diameter, and tortuosity on the abundance, length, and complexity of kerogen networks under coupled multi-field effects is evaluated. The significance of this study is it could address the following aspects quantitively: (1) the spatiotemporal evolution of kerogen fractal dimensions following various extraction timelines; (2) the influence of shale temperatures on kerogen structures; (3) the influence of the kerogen fractal dimension on the shale gas desorption capacity and production efficiency; and (4) under different temperatures, when the fractal dimension/tortuosity fractal dimension of kerogen changes due to extraction disturbances, the volumetric deformation induced by gas adsorption increases by a maximum of 26.1%/decreases by 28.1% and in the later stages of extraction, the maximum gas pressure decreases by 44.7%/increases by 47.1%. The proposed fractal method adeptly reveals shale gas desorption behaviors under multi-field coupling conditions from a microscopic perspective, which cannot be found in the literature.

Analysis of methane diffusion on permeability rebound and recovery in coal reservoirs: Implications for deep coalbed methane-enhanced extraction

A proper understanding of the effect of methane diffusion on coal reservoir permeability rebound and recovery is essential, as coal reservoir permeability is the key parameter influencing the efficiency of coalbed methane migration and computational research on it is lacking. In this paper, the multifield coupling model for methane migration was established. Then, two parameters, the influence coefficient of diffusion on permeability rebound (DPRB) and the influence coefficient of diffusion on permeability recovery (DPRC), were proposed to quantify the effect of methane diffusion on rebound and recovery of coal reservoir permeability. Subsequently, we used COMSOL software to study the variation rules of the coal reservoir permeability rebound time, permeability recovery time, and permeability rebound value, DPRB, and DPRC for different geologic parameters. The results shown that the permeability rebound time and recovery time are proportional to the coal seam initial pressure, but inversely proportional to the initial permeability and initial diffusion coefficient. The rebound value decreases with increasing coal seam initial pressure and initial permeability, but ascends with rising initial diffusion coefficient. DPRB declines with increasing coal seam initial pressure, initial permeability, and initial diffusion coefficient, but they are all greater than 0.7, indicating that methane diffusion has a significant effect on permeability rebound. The DPRC values for different coal seam initial pressures, initial permeabilities, and initial diffusion coefficients are above 0.98, which implies that methane diffusion dominates the permeability recovery process. Finally, a conceptual model was presented to research the mechanism of diffusion influence on rebound and recovery of coal reservoir permeability, and the implications for enhanced drainage of deep coalbed methane were discussed. Therefore, the results of this paper can provide a theoretical foundation for deep coalbed methane-enhanced extraction.

Damage characterization of high- and low-temperature performance of porous asphalt mixtures under multi-field coupling

Porous asphalt (PA) have attracted considerable interest due to their functional advantages such as significant water permeability and noise attenuation properties. Nevertheless, its vulnerability to damage significantly hinders its widespread application. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the damage characteristics of PA's high- and low-temperature performance under the coupled effects of moisture and temperature. Firstly, Hamburg Wheel-Tracking Test (HWTT) and three-point bending tests were conducted on PA under different coupling conditions. Subsequently, its damage characteristics were analyzed using the three-stage permanent deformation model, logistic model, and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) method. The findings indicate that under dry conditions, PA-13 exhibits a linear decrease in rutting resistance within the temperature range of 40–60 °C, followed by a significant decrease at 70 °C. During immersion in water, PA-13 undergoes a second and third-stage rutting evolution process, with an accelerated creep rate observed at 70°C. High temperatures exacerbate the viscoelastic damage of PA-13, while multi-field coupling promotes the simultaneous occurrence of viscoelastic damage and stripping damage. Furthemore, the results of the two-way ANOVA indicate that moisture has a more significant impact on high-temperature performance damage. In addition, in a dry environment, the low-temperature crack resistance of PA-13 deteriorates with decreasing temperature, but there is little difference at −20 °C and −30 °C. This is attributed to PA-13 exhibiting flexible cracking at 0 °C and −10 °C, while undergoing brittle cracking at −20 °C and −30 °C. Additionally, the coupled effect of temperature and moisture reduces the damage tolerance of PA-13 and accelerates its cracking process. The results of the two-way ANOVA indicate that both low temperature and treatment methods have a statistically significant impact on low-temperature performance, with treatment methods having a higher degree of influence. The findings of this paper contribute to an in-depth understanding of the damage mechanism of PA-13.

Automated Shape Correction for Wood Composites in Continuous Pressing

The effective and comprehensive utilization of forest resources has become the theme of the global “dual-carbon strategy”. Forestry restructured wood is a kind of wood-based panel made of wood-based fiber composite material by high-temperature and high-pressure restructuring–molding, and has become an important material in the field of construction, furniture manufacturing, as well as derivative processing for its excellent physical and mechanical properties, decorative properties, and processing performance. Taking Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) as the recombinant material as the research object, an event-triggered synergetic control mechanism based on interventional three-way decision making is proposed for the viscoelastic multi-field coupling-distributed agile control of the “fixed thickness section” in the MDF continuous flat-pressing process, where some typical quality control problems of complex plate shape deviations including thickness, slope, depression, and bump tend to occur. Firstly, the idea of constructing the industrial event information of continuous hot pressing based on information granulation is proposed, and the information granulation model of the viscoelastic plate shape process mechanism is established by combining the multi-field coupling effect. Secondly, an FMEA-based cyber granular method for diagnosing and controlling the plate thickness diagnosis and control failure information expression of continuous flat pressing is proposed for the problems of plate thickness control failure and plate thickness deviation defect elimination that are prone to occur in the continuous flat-pressing process. The precise control of the plate thickness in the production process is realized based on event-triggered control to achieve the intelligent identification and processing of the various types of faults. The application test is conducted in the international mainstream production line of a certain type of continuous hot-pressing equipment for the production of 18 mm plate thickness; the synergistic effect is basically synchronized after 3 s, the control accuracy reaches 30%, and the average value of the internal bond strength is 1.40, which ensures the integrity of the slab. Practical tests show that the method in the actual production is feasible and effective, with detection and control accuracy of up to ±0.05 mm, indicating that in the production of E0- and E1-level products, the rate of superior products can reach more than 95%.

Shaking table tests and numerical analysis of monopile-supported offshore wind turbines under combined wind, wave and seismic loads

Currently, large-diameter monopile-supported offshore wind turbines (OWTs) are widely used in offshore areas of China. However, considerable numbers of wind farms are located in seismically active areas with liquefiable soil layers. Therefore, shaking table tests and numerical simulation based on a scaled model of Siemens SWT-4.0-130 OWTs were carried out to investigate the failure mechanism of the OWT system in liquefiable sand under combined wind, wave and seismic loads. The scaling law focusing on the governing physical mechanism of the OWT system considering multi-field coupling are presented and verified. The dynamic responses of the OWT and the excess pore pressure fluctuation around the soil-monopile domain in different operating states are discussed and compared. The results show that the proposed scaling laws can well restore the dynamic characteristics of the prototype. The seismic excitation is the dominant load for inducing the structural response under combined wind, wave and seismic loads. Due to the coupling effect, the dynamic responses under combined wind and wave loads were slightly less than the superposition of structural responses under separated wind or wave loads. Liquefaction of the shallow soil layer within the range of four times the pile diameter was detected when the PGA reached 0.4 g (three-dimensional input) or 0.64 g (one-dimensional input), which induced obvious tilt and settlement of the OWT model after the test. The sudden increase in the pore pressure resulted in the liquefaction of soil, which further led to a significant decrease in the natural frequencies and decay of the acceleration responses at the tower top. The above findings are expected to provide valuable experience for the 1 g underwater shaking table tests on OWT systems and insights for the practical design of OWTs in seismically active areas.

Experimental analysis of the thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) coupling in freezing vertical shafts of unsaturated sandy soil

The evolutionary mechanism of frozen soil involves complex dynamic coupling among temperature, moisture and the stress field. However, existing research has struggled to adequately describe the interplay between these factors. To address this, we independently designed and developed a multifunctional loading system appropriate for geotechnical engineering experimentation and a corresponding loading technology. Using a model of vertical shaft freezing, we studied the spatiotemporal evolution of thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) multi-field coupling. The research findings indicate that, compared to the freezing interface, the main section experiences not only more intense variations in the temperature field but also heightened activity in terms of in-situ freezing and moisture migration. Both the radial and circumferential characteristic faces exhibit wave-like variations in moisture gradient evolution. The circumferential face features a critical gradient at 3.8 m−1, whereas the moisture gradient curve of the radial face undergoes temporal elongation at the peak, resulting in no discernible extremities. Each characteristic position of the frost heave force growth undergoes three distinct phases: incubation, rapid increase and stabilisation. During the same phases, the response times for the growth of frost heave forces on the radial characteristic face are roughly equivalent. However, when moving outward along the equivalent freezing radius, the response time on the circumferential face becomes progressively delayed.

Study on similarity criterion for fluid-thermal coupling responses of metal plate simultaneously exposed to laser irradiation and airflow

Similarity criterion considering the multifield coupling effect is essential for the scaled thermal test under both laser irradiation and airflow. This paper establishes the similarity criterion for the fluid-thermal coupling responses of metal plate simultaneously exposed to the laser irradiation and high-speed airflow by nondimensionalizing the governing equations. The main dimensionless parameters are obtained, and the scaling law when the temperature scaling factor is equal to 1, which means the temperature remains unchanged in the real and scaled model, is firstly established. Moreover, to broaden the applicability, the scaling law when the temperature scaling factor is not equal to 1 is further deduced, and the correction method based on numerical simulation is proposed to eliminate the error caused by the difference of temperature-dependent material properties in the real and scaled model. Numerical cases are conducted and compared to verify the established scaling laws. Results show that errors of the predicted fluid-thermal responses between the real and scaled model are less than 1 %, affirming the reliability of the scaling laws.

Constructing a Microdiffusion-Seepage-Stress Multifield Coupling Model for Nanopore Gas.

Existing research is difficult to fully capture the correlation between gas molecules and pore wall interactions, multiphase flow, and stress distribution in nanopores. Taking gas as an example, a microscopic model was constructed. At the same time, diffusion, seepage, and stress were considered to accurately predict and manage gas transport in nanopores. First, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation methods were adopted to simulate the motion trajectories and interactions of gas molecules in nanopores. Second, a multiscale model was established based on continuum mechanics to consider the interaction between pore walls and gas molecules, and a diffusion equation was established to describe the diffusion process of gas molecules in pores. Then, finite element analysis and porous media models were used to simulate the seepage behavior of gas in the nanopores. Finally, the stress distribution in the pores was analyzed, and the influence of the interaction between the pore wall and gas molecules on stress was considered. The multifield coupling model was experimentally evaluated from three aspects: diffusion coefficient, seepage behavior, and stress distribution. The root-mean-square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE) of the model in different testing directions were calculated using different simulation tools, such as COMSOL, ANSYS, OpenFOAM, and CFX. The mean values of RMSE and MAE were lower than 0.20 and 0.17, respectively. The constructed model can comprehensively describe gas transmission within nanopores, improving the management accuracy and efficiency.

Investigation on fatigue crack propagation failure mechanism of hydraulic lifting pipe in deep‐ocean natural gas hydrate exploitation

AbstractIn deep‐ocean natural gas hydrate exploitation operation, the fatigue failure mechanism has attracted more and more attention from scholars, but it has not been effectively disclosed. Therefore, in this work, a multifield coupling and multiple‐nonlinear vibration model of lifting pipe is established, which can accurately determine the alternating stress of deep‐ocean lifting pipe. Second, according to Forman theory, the calculation method of crack propagation length and depth on the surface of a deep‐water riser is established, which is verified by the comparison between the experimental and theoretical model calculation results. The results demonstrate that, first, the effect of residual stress in the welded joint of deep‐ocean lifting pipe should be considered in the later parameter influence analysis. Second, the fatigue growth life of deep‐water pipe with small outflow velocity is mainly determined by tensile stress, and that is determined by both tensile stress and bending stress with large outflow velocity. Third, more attention should be paid to the vibration of the lower pipe on‐site to reduce its vibration frequency and vibration stress amplitude, which can effectively reduce the surface crack propagation state of the deep‐ocean pipe and improve the service life of the pipe. Fourth, properly adjusting the tension coefficient of the tensioner during field operation can effectively improve the safety of the pipe, and the optimal tension coefficient is related to the configuration of the deep‐ocean pipe system, which can be analyzed and determined by the model.

Multi-field coupling vibration patterns of the multiphase sink vortex and distortion recognition method

Fluid-induced vibration sensing technology plays an essential role in the safety and stable operation of fluid control equipment. The sensing works oriented to the multiphase sink vortex-induced vibration (MSVIV) face significant challenges in state recognition, such as the aero-engine oil pipe, metallurgical casting ladle, and microfluidic equipment. This paper presents a multi-field coupling vibration modelling and solving strategy to investigate the MSVIV transition patterns. Based on the volume of fluid and level set method, an efficient volume-correction strategy is presented to consider the mass variation and keep velocity fields without divergence. Then, a fluid–structure-acoustic dynamic model is conducted to explore multiphase vortex transport regularities. Considering the solution singularity of the fluid–solid-acoustic coupling system, a residue theorem-based solution strategy is presented to obtain the MSVIV evolution behaviors. Finally, a multichannel sensing MSVIV water-model experiment (MSVIV-WME) platform is conducted to verify the above results, and a wavelet transform-based processing approach can be utilized to obtain mutation energy features. Research results illustrate that the proposed strategy has revealed the MSVIV transition behaviors. The MSVIV process in critical states dominates nonlinear vibration patterns. The self-development sensing platform can monitor the MSVIV evolution process in real-time, and the wavelet transform-based sensing attribute with the dw3 frequency band can identify distortion characteristics. Relevant results can offer useful references for MSVIV state recognition and offer technical solving strategies for microfluidics monitoring equipment.

Analysis and Optimization of the Flow Path within the Protonic Ceramic Fuel Cell Stack

With the development of human society, the demand for energy is increasing, and energy, an essential global necessity, is decreasing significantly and is in danger of being depleted. Fuel cell is the fourth power generation facility after hydroelectric, thermal and nuclear power. Fuel cell flow channel is an important part of fuel cell, which has the functions of transferring reaction gas, discharging products and excess unreacted gas, and balancing fuel cell temperature. This thesis focuses on the model design and optimization of a 10-layer flat-plate proton ceramic fuel cell (PCFC) reactor. First, we design a 10-layer flat-plate PCFC reactor model structure, then we simulate the reactor using Fluent, analyze the multi-field coupling operating characteristics inside the target reactor, optimize the reactor based on the results, and finally, we analyze and discuss the optimization results.

Enabling multi-stage high-temperature strength evolution prediction of ceramizable composites using a novel multi-field coupled model

Strength varies significantly under high-temperature environment, due to the inherent thermomechanical behavior of the ceramizable material and its coupling with possible chemical reactions. The complexity amplifies for composite materials, considering their multi-phase and multi-scale features, and more importantly, their complicated chemical reactions under high-temperature service conditions. This study proposes an innovative multi-field coupling theory framework for predicting the multi-stage evolution behavior of high-temperature mechanical properties of a ceramizable composite, through incorporating an extended chemical kinetics method, coupled deformation, mass diffusion and heat conduction. The developed model enables direct coupling and simultaneous solving of physical, chemical and thermal variables. It captures well the degradation of mechanical properties for the initial stage and the increase of strength for the later stage, along with the increasing of temperature. The validated model also enables well prediction of time-dependent mechanical properties at high service temperature, with an average error of 8.67% against experimental measured results. The developed method can serve as a general method for the prediction of high-temperature mechanical property of thermal protection composites and structures.

Thermal-flow-force-electrical coupling characteristics of microchannel cooling systems in high heat flux chips

To address the challenges faced by designers of multi-field coupled cooling systems for high heat flux chips, this paper proposes a “near-source” microchannel cooling strategy and establishes a thermal–flow-force electrically coupled model for chips. The effects of chip Joule heat and cooling water flow rate on the cooling performance with respect to multi-field coupling effects were studied. The impact of multi-field coupling effects was revealed, and a method for enhancing microchannel cooling performance in light of multi-field coupling effects is proposed. The results indicated that considering multi-field coupling effects in the microchannel cooling process leads to a deterioration in the thermal performance of chips, accompanied by a significant increase in electrical fluctuations and thermal deformation amplitude. Compared to chips upstream of the cooling water, chips downstream subjected to thermal cascade effects were more sensitive to multi-field coupling effects. Moreover, the temperature variance index, output current, and strain energy density of high heat flux chips were positively correlated with Joule heat but inversely proportional to the Reynolds number of the cooling water for cases in respect of multi-field coupling effects. Additionally, serpentine microchannels maximized the operational performance of high heat flux chips by reducing temperature of chip by up to 55.1%, decreasing strain energy density by 96.7%, and increasing input potential by 120%.

Modeling and radiation performance analysis of acoustically actuated magnetoelectric antennas

Bulk acoustic wave-mediated magnetoelectric (ME) antenna is the most promising acoustically actuated ultra-compact antenna scheme at ultrahigh frequency (0.3–3 GHz). However, the relevant research is still exploratory, and the antenna’s multi-field coupling modeling and performance analysis are imperfect. This work presents a cellular model based on finite element simulation to analyze the radiation characteristics of the ME antenna integrated on a thin-film bulk wave resonator (FBAR). Compared with the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method, the cellular model has the advantages of simplicity and high universality. The effects of mechanical and dielectric losses of piezoelectric (PE) material and mechanical and eddy current losses of magnetostrictive (MS) material on radiation efficiency are analyzed through the intensive research of unit cells of four different material combinations. Results show that the mechanical quality factors and piezomagnetic stress constant are the key parameters to determine the radiation efficiency. Besides conductivity and permeability, eddy current loss is also closely related to the thickness of the MS layer. This study provides a theoretical foundation for enhancing the radiation performance of ME FBAR antennas and identifying areas for further development.

Study on temperature field in the process of induction heat treatment with current assisted weld double side method

At present, in the process of weld induction heat treatment, the common method is to carry out centralized induction heating in the weld area, which will lead to large radial temperature difference of the weld, poor controllability of temperature distribution and easy to cause the defects of residual stress concentration in the weld area. To solve the above problems, this paper adopts the two-sided method to conduct induction heating on both sides of the weld, and at the same time, the auxiliary pulse current is passed into the weld to improve the quality of the weld. ANSYS finite element software is used to establish a multi-field coupling prediction model of electric-magnetic-thermal structure, and explore the distribution law of the auxiliary pulse current and the temperature field of the weld. Finally, an experimental study of pulsed current assisted two-sided induction heating is carried out. Temperature test and metallographic test were carried out respectively to verify the effectiveness of pulsed current assisted induction heating technology.

Nonlinear vibration of five-layered functionally graded piezoelectric semiconductor nano-plate on Pasternak foundation

The vibration character of piezoelectric semiconductor nano-plate is important for understanding the multi-fields coupling and optimizing the serving behavior. In this article, the nonlinear vibration of five-layered functionally graded piezoelectric semiconductor nano-plate based on Pasternak foundation is studied, and the nonlocal theory is used to analyze the size-dependent dynamic response of nano-plate. Combining the Von karman’s nonlinear deformation theory and the constitutive of piezoelectric semiconductor layers, Hamilton’s principle is introduced to derive the nonlinear governing equations. To solve the nonlinear governing equations, the updated iteration method for this problem is proposed. Through numerical examples, it is found that the initial electron concentration in piezoelectric semiconductor layer, the nonlocal parameter, the functionally graded index in the plate, the elastic modulus of Pasternak foundation and the geometrical parameters can be designed to effectively tune the dynamic nonlinear frequency and damping of layered functionally graded piezoelectric semiconductor nanoplate. The interaction of these parameters is also analyzed in detail. Comparison with existing numerical results is also presented. A new way is provided to tune the nonlinear vibration of multi-layered piezoelectric semiconductor nano-plate.

Strength Evaluation of the Flow Passage Stationary Structures of a Large Francis Turbine Unit

Abstract The multifield design and multifield coupling performance of the Francis turbine unit is a topic that needs to be studied deeply. In this paper, the strength evaluation of the stationary structures of the flow passage of a large Francis turbine unit under extreme conditions has been performed based on the fluid-structure coupling theory. The calculated stationary structures include the spiral casing, bottom ring, and head cover. The pressure load applied on the structures is 1.5 times the maximum head of the unit. The results show that there is stress concentration in the spiral casing, and the weld length with equivalent stress greater than 345 MPa reaches 800 mm; the maximum stress at the rib plate of the head cover reaches 357 MPa, which is greater than the yield limit 345MPa. Based on the evaluation results, the local and overall defects of the unit design can be found. The suggested strength evaluation methodology can provide references for the optimization of the unit and a theoretical basis for the operation of the unit.

Numerical simulation of multi-field coupling behavior and heat and mass transfer mechanism in laser additive manufacturing process

Numerical simulation of multi-field coupling behavior and heat and mass transfer mechanism in laser additive manufacturing process

Mechanism and Model Analysis of Ultralow-Temperature Fluid Fracturing in Low-Permeability Reservoir: Insights from Liquid Nitrogen Fracturing

Ultralow-temperature fluids (such as liquid nitrogen, liquid CO2) are novel waterless fracturing technologies designed for dry, water-sensitive reservoirs. Due to their ultralow temperatures, high compression ratios, strong frost heaving forces, and low viscosities, they offer a solution for enhancing the fracturing and permeability of low-permeability reservoirs. In this study, we focus on the combined effects of high-pressure fluid rock breaking, low-temperature freeze-thaw fracturing, and liquid-gas phase transformation expansion on coal-rock in low-permeability reservoirs during liquid nitrogen fracturing (LNF). We systematically analyze the factors that limit the LNF effectiveness, and we discuss the pore fracture process induced by low-temperature fracturing in coal-rock and its impact on the permeability. Based on this analysis, we propose a model and flow for fracturing low-permeability reservoirs with low-temperature fluids. The analysis suggests that the Leidenfrost effect and phase change after ultralow-temperature fluids enter the coal support the theoretical feasibility of high-pressure fluid rock breaking. The thermal impact and temperature exchange rate between the fluid and coal determine the temperature difference gradient, which directly affects the mismatch deformation and fracture development scale of different coal-rock structures. The low-temperature phase change coupling fracturing of ultralow-temperature fluids is the key to the formation of reservoir fracture networks. The coal-rock components, natural fissures, temperature difference gradients, and number of cycles are the key factors in low-temperature fracturing. In contrast to those in conventional hydraulic fracturing, the propagation and interaction of fractures under low-temperature conditions involve multifield coupling and synergistic temperature, fluid flow, fracture development, and stress distribution processes. The key factors determining the feasibility of the large-scale application of ultralow-temperature fluid fracturing in the future are the reconstruction of fracture networks and the enhancement of the permeability response in low-permeability reservoirs. Based on these considerations, we propose a model and process for LNF in low-permeability reservoirs. The research findings presented herein provide theoretical insights and practical guidance for understanding waterless fracturing mechanisms in deep reservoirs.