Theory Of Thin Elastic Shells Research Articles

Nonlinear ice sheet/liquid interaction in a channel with an obstruction

The interaction between the flow in a channel with an obstruction on the bottom and an elastic sheet representing the ice covering the liquid is considered for the case of steady flow. The mathematical model based on the velocity potential theory and the theory of thin elastic shells fully accounts for the nonlinear boundary conditions at the elastic sheet/liquid interface and on the bottom of the channel. The integral hodograph method is employed to derive the complex velocity potential of the flow, which contains the velocity magnitude at the interface in explicit form. This allows one to formulate the coupled ice/liquid interaction problem and reduce it to a system of nonlinear equations in the unknown magnitude of the velocity at the interface. Case studies are carried out for a semi-circular obstruction on the bottom of the channel. Three flow regimes are studied: a subcritical regime, for which the interface deflection decays upstream and downstream; an ice supercritical and channel subcritical regime, for which two waves of different lengths may exist; and a channel supercritical regime, for which the elastic wave is found to extend downstream to infinity. All these regimes are in full agreement with the dispersion equation. The obtained results demonstrate a strongly nonlinear interaction between the elastic and the gravity wave near the first critical Froude number where their lengths approach each other. The interface shape, the bending moment and the pressure along the interface are presented for wide ranges of the Froude number and the obstruction height.

A numerical study of the multicriteria parametric optimization of the displacement and weight of a two-connected conical shell of minimal surface under thermal and power loading

Various methods and approaches are used to solve the problem of optimal design. Problems of this type are used for the optimal design of spatial coverings, which in modern architecture are progressive structures that are of interest to the whole world. Spatial coatings allow to give the building architectural expressiveness, cover large spans and combine load-bearing and enclosing functions.
 The hulls of minimal surfaces are the hulls of negative Gaussian curvature. In general, the geometry of minimal surfaces cannot be described analytically. To solve this problem, which is associated with solving the differential equation that describes the minimal surface in general, under appropriate boundary conditions, one has to use methods of numerical analysis. This approach allows us to build a point frame of the shell, which is a matrix of discrete solutions of functions that searches for a given minimum surface. In view of this, its geometric characteristics can be obtained only in numerical form.
 The basic relations of the linear theory of thin elastic shells of minimal surface are highlighted in the numerical study of parametric optimization. The mathematical justifications of how the external load is perceived and the process of creating the stress-strain state of the shells of minimal surfaces are highlighted.
 For the numerical implementation of the multicriteria parametric optimization of a double-connected conical shell of minimal surface, a finite element model was built from plate finite elements in the amount of 4824 pieces and 4896 nodes. The perimeter is rigidly clamped to the ground disk. The thermal force load is set, which consists of a combination of static and temperature loads.
 The developed methodology shows quite good results that coincide with the works of other authors and makes it possible to use two types of optimization for one research object simultaneously. The first stage is shape optimization, and the second stage is multicriteria parametric optimization.
 This methodology makes it possible to perform optimization processes in an automated mode, which is an important applied task for construction and applied mechanics.

Lagrange multipliers at the boundary in the inextensional bending theory of thin elastic shells

The theory of inextensional deformations of shells is extended by introducing Lagrange multipliers at the boundary to supplement those operating in the interior. These are associated with a constraint on the metric on the closure of the shell midsurface. The additional multipliers allow for a richer set of external actions than those admitted by the conventional theory. In particular, they balance concentrated forces in the tangent plane of the surface applied at corners of the boundary.

Compressive performance of welded hollow spherical joints with external triangular ribs

This study addresses the axial compressive performance of welded hollow spherical (WHS) joints with external triangular ribs. External triangular ribs are able to postpone the local buckling of the joint during axial loading, and thus strengthen the compressive capacity of it. A simplified analytical model is proposed to elucidate the stress distribution on the hollow sphere of axial-loaded WHS joints with external triangular ribs. Then a simplified solution for the yield strength of axial-loaded WHS joints is deduced based on the elastic thin shell theory. The simplified solution indicates that the yield strength of WHS joints with external triangular ribs can be expressed by a coefficient related to the specifications of the ribs and the joints multiply by that of WHS joints without external ribs. Compression tests on 6 full-scale specimens of WHS joints with varied configurations of triangular ribs are conducted. It shows that the failure mode and the strength enhancement of the specimens vary as the specification of the triangular ribs change, and the triangular ribs enhance the strength of the joints up to 77 %. A refined FE model is established and calibrated against the findings from the experiments. Parametric studies on the design parameters which may affect the compressive response of the WHS joints with triangular ribs are fully investigated. It is shown that the compressive yield strength of the joint rises with the increase of the number, height and thickness of the triangular ribs, and decreases with the increase of the angle-of-elevation of the triangular ribs. It is also shown that the effect of the ratio of the diameter of the sphere to that of the steel tube on the compressive yield strength of the joint is much lighter than the others, and deemed as negligible. Regression analysis on the experimental and numerical data is carried out to obtain a practical formula for the compressive capacity of WHS joints with external triangular ribs. This formula is incorporated with the previously developed formula for the compressive capacity of WHS joints with external trapezoidal ribs, to form a general formula applicable for WHS joints with either external triangular ribs or external trapezoidal ribs.

Phonon Interference in the 1D Array of Carbon Nanotubes

The dynamics of the 1D array of single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which interact by van der Waals forces, is considered. The molecular dynamics simulation shows that both the mutual displacements of the nanotubes and the deformations of their walls occur in the low-frequency oscillations domain. The composite model taking into account both types of the nanotubes’ motions is developed in the framework of the thin elastic shell theory. Such an approach allows us to reduce the problem to the dynamics of the linear lattice with contact interaction. The dispersion relations are represented analytically and the multichannel propagation that results in phonon interference (the acoustical analog of the Fano resonance) is observed in the presence of the array's irregularities. The latter can be formed with redundant nanotubes, which are placed over the array in the grooves between neighbor sites. The calculations of the transmittance have been performed by the transfer matrix method for several typical configurations.

On the modelling of stability problems for thin cylindrical shells with two-directional micro-periodic structure

Thin linearly elastic Kirchhoff-Love-type circular cylindrical shells having a micro-periodic structure in circumferential and axial directions (biperiodic shells) are considered. The aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of a periodicity cell size on the stationary and dynamical stability of such shells. In order to take into account the length-scale effect in some special stability problems, an averaged non-asymptotic biperiodic shell model derived by means of the known tolerance modelling procedure is applied. Governing equations of this averaged model have constant coefficients depending also on a microstructure size, contrary to the starting exact shell equations with periodic, non-continuous and highly oscillating coefficients (the well-known governing equations of Kirchhoff-Love second-order theory of thin elastic shells). The effect of a cell size on critical forces and on frequency equation being a starting point in the analysis of parametric vibrations and dynamical stability is studied. It will be shown that the micro-periodic heterogeneity of the shells leads to the fourth-order ordinary differential frequency equation, which can be treated as a certain generalization of the known Mathieu second-order equation. It reduces to the Mathieu equation provided that the length-scale effect is neglected.

Standing wave drift of hemispherical resonator with quality factor non-uniformity under a ring electrode excitation

Hemispherical Resonator Gyroscope (HRG) is a classical high precision Coriolis Vibration Gyroscope (CVG), which performs attitude estimation of carrier by detecting the precession of standing wave of resonator, thus, the drift of standing wave of resonator has a great influence on the output accuracy of gyroscope, where the quality factor non-uniformity of resonator is one of main error sources. Ring electrode is a classical excitation structure of HRG because the standing wave can precess freely under its excitation, which makes the gyroscope have more accurate scale factor, larger measurement range and better dynamic characteristics. In this paper, the equations of motion of an ideal resonator excited by a ring electrode are derived by the elastic thin shell theory and Lagrange mechanical principle, then the corresponding equivalent mechanical model is established. According to the “average method”, it can be seen that the ideal resonator excited by the ring electrode works in integral mode, and any position in the circumferential direction of resonator can be a working point, which means that the quality factor non-uniformity has a great effect on the drift of standing wave. Therefore, the equations of motion of resonator with quality factor non-uniformity under the ring electrode excitation are deduced by the equivalent mechanical model, and the drift model of standing wave is established by the “average method”, it can be found that both the amplitude of quality factor non-uniformity and angle between the “inherent damping axis” and antinode axis of standing wave can affect the drift rate of standing wave. Moreover, the drift model indicates that if the input angular rate does not reach the threshold, the precession angular rate of standing wave will appear “self-locking” phenomenon, that is, the gyroscope will lose the integral effect.

Standing Wave Binding of Hemispherical Resonator Containing First-Third Harmonics of Mass Imperfection under Linear Vibration Excitation.

Due to complicated processing technology, the mass distribution of a hemispherical resonator made of fused silica is not uniform, which can affect the azimuth of the standing wave of a resonator under the linear vibration excitation. Therefore, the analysis of standing wave evolution of a resonator with mass imperfection under linear vibration excitation is of significance for the improvement of the output accuracy of a gyroscope. In this paper, it is assumed that the resonator containing the first–third harmonics of mass imperfection is excited by horizontal and vertical linear vibration, respectively; then, the equations of motion of an imperfect resonator under the second-order vibration mode are established by the elastic thin shell theory and Lagrange mechanics principle. Through error mechanism analysis, it is found that, when the frequency of linear vibration is equal to the natural frequency of resonator, the standing wave is bound in the azimuth of different harmonics of mass imperfection with the change in vibration excitation direction. In other words, there are parasitic components in the azimuth of the standing wave of a resonator under linear vibration excitation, which can cause distortion of the output signal of a gyroscope. On the other hand, according to the standing wave binding phenomenon, the azimuths of the first–third harmonics of mass imperfection of a resonator can also be identified under linear vibration excitation, which can provide a theoretical method for the mass balance of an imperfect resonator.

Tug-of-war between stretching and bending in living cell sheets.

The balance between stretching and bending deformations characterizes shape transitions of thin elastic sheets. While stretching dominates the mechanical response in tension, bending dominates in compression after an abrupt buckling transition. Recently, experimental results in suspended living epithelial monolayers have shown that, due to the asymmetry in surface stresses generated by molecular motors across the thickness e of the epithelium, the free edges of such tissues spontaneously curl out-of-plane, stretching the sheet in-plane as a result. This suggests that a competition between bending and stretching sets the morphology of the tissue margin. In this paper, we use the framework of non-Euclidean plates to incorporate active pre-strain and spontaneous curvature to the theory of thin elastic shells. We show that, when the spontaneous curvature of the sheet scales like 1/e, stretching and bending energies have the same scaling in the limit of a vanishingly small thickness and therefore both compete, in a way that is continuously altered by an external tension, to define the three-dimensional shape of the tissue.

Motion equations of hemispherical resonator and analysis of frequency split caused by slight mass non-uniformity

The mass non-uniformity of hemispherical resonator is one of reasons for frequency split, and frequency split can cause gyroscope to drift. Therefore, it is of great significance to analyze the relationship between mass non-uniformity and frequency split, which can provide a theoretical basis for mass balance of imperfect resonator. The starting point of error mechanism analysis for gyroscope is the motion equations of resonator. Firstly, based on the Kirchhoff-Love hypothesis in the elastic thin shell theory, the geometric deformation equations of resonator are deduced. Secondly, the deformation energy equation of resonator is derived according to the vibration mode and relationship between the stress and strain of hemispherical thin shell. Thirdly, the kinetic energy equation of resonator is deduced by the Coriolis theorem. Finally, the motion equations of resonator are established by the Lagrange mechanics principle. The theoretical values of precession factor and natural frequency are calculated by the motion equations, which are substantially consistent with the ones by the finite element method and practical measurement, the errors are within a reasonable range. Simultaneously, the varying trend of natural frequency with respect to the geometrical and physical parameters of resonator by the motion equations is consistent with that by the finite element analysis. The above conclusions prove the correctness and rationality of motion equations. Similarly, the motion equations of resonator with mass non-uniformity are established by the same modeling method in case of ignoring the input angular rate and damping, and the state equations with respect to the velocity and displacement of vibration system are derived, then two natural frequencies are solved by the characteristic equation. It is concluded that one of reasons for frequency split is the 4th harmonic of mass non-uniformity, and thus much attention should be paid to minimizing the 4th harmonic of mass non-uniformity in the course of mass balancing for imperfect resonator.

Modeling atomic force microscopy and shell mechanical properties estimation of coated microbubbles.

We present an extensive comparison with experimental data of our theoretical/numerical model for the static response of coated microbubbles (MBs) subject to compression from an atomic force microscope (afm). The mechanics of the MB's coating is described in the context of elastic thin shell theory. The encapsulated fluid is treated as compressible/incompressible pertaining to a gas/liquid, while the thinning of the liquid film between the MB and the afm cantilever is modeled via introduction of an interaction potential and the resulting disjoining pressure. As the external force increases, the experimental force-deformation (f-d) curves of MBs covered with polymer have an initial linear response (Reissner regime), followed by a non-linear curved downwards response (Pogorelov regime) where buckling takes place. On the other hand, the f-d curve for MBs covered with lipid monolayers initially follows the Reissner regime, but buckling is bypassed to a curved upwards regime where internal gas pressure dominates. The elastic properties, namely Young's modulus and shell thickness, for MB's covered with polymer can be estimated by combining the buckling point and the slope of the Reissner regime or the slopes of Reissner and Pogorelov regimes. Comparison of the present model with afm f-d curves for polymer shows satisfactory agreement. The area dilatation and bending moduli are shown to be the appropriate independent elastic parameters of MBs covered with phospholipid monolayers and are estimated by combination of the transition from Reissner to pressure dominated regime. Simulations and experiments in this case are in excellent agreement.

Extraction of consistent shell theory equations from 3D theory of elasticity

Aims of research. Derivation of consistent equations of the theory of thin elastic shells without hypotheses and stress averaging over the shell thickness. Methods. Using the iterative method of Saint-Venant - Picard - Banach, the three-dimensional problem of the theory of elasticity is solved without any hypotheses. By the principle of compressed mappings, the solution converges asymptotically, regardless of the choice of the values of the initial approximation. Results. A method has been developed for integrating the spatial equations of the theory of elasticity in curvilinear coordinates for a thin shell. The presence of a small parameter allows the integration of the system of equations in such a way that the output data of the first operator is input to the next operator, etc., dividing the original complex operator into a sequence of simple integrable Picard type operators. Each equation contains terms of only one asymptotic order.

Computational modeling of active deformable membranes embedded in three-dimensional flows.

Active gel theory has recently been very successful in describing biologically active materials such as actin filaments or moving bacteria in temporally fixed and simple geometries such as cubes or spheres. Here we develop a computational algorithm to compute the dynamic evolution of an arbitrarily shaped, deformable thin membrane of active material embedded in a three-dimensional flowing liquid. For this, our algorithm combines active gel theory with the classical theory of thin elastic shells. To compute the actual forces resulting from active stresses, we apply a parabolic fitting procedure to the triangulated membrane surface. Active forces are then dynamically coupled via an immersed-boundary method to the surrounding fluid whose dynamics can be solved by any standard, e.g., Lattice-Boltzmann, flow solver. We validate our algorithm using the Green's functions of Berthoumieux etal. [New J. Phys. 16, 065005 (2014)10.1088/1367-2630/16/6/065005] for an active cylindrical membrane subjected (i) to a locally increased active stress and (ii) to a homogeneous active stress. For the latter scenario, we predict in addition a nonaxisymmetric instability. We highlight the versatility of our method by analyzing the flow field inside an actively deforming cell embedded in external shear flow. Further applications may be cytoplasmic streaming or active membranes in blood flows.

Lagrangian Mixed Finite Element Methods for Nonlinear Thin Shell Problems

Abstract A class of Lagrangian mixed finite element methods is constructed for an approximate solution of a problem of nonlinear thin elastic shell theory, namely, the problem of finding critical points of the functional of potential energy according to the Budiansky–Sanders model. The proposed numerical method is based on the use of the second derivatives of the deflection as auxiliary variables. Sufficient conditions for the solvability of the corresponding discrete problem are obtained. Accuracy estimates for approximate solutions are established. Iterative methods for solving the corresponding systems of nonlinear equations are proposed and investigated.

The Method of Design by Analysis for Cylindrical Pressure Vessels with Spherically Dished Head

Standards GB 150.3-2011 and JB4732-1995 (Confirmed in 2005) provide design methods for the cylindrical pressure vessels with spherically dished head under internal pressure. It is available for the ratio of the internal pressure p to the allowable stress Sm, p/Sm≥0.002. Engineers desire the design curves for p/Sm<0.002. This paper presents a stress analysis method based on elastic thin shell theory for a spherically dished head jointed to the end or the middle of the cylindrical shell. The design criteria in the current standards are modified. Based on the theoretical stress solution and design criteria, the suitable range of the design curves is extended to p/Sm≥0.001. Nonlinear elastic perfectly-plastic finite element method ensures the reliability of the design curves.

Mixed schemes of finite element method for non-standard boundary value problems of the nonlinear theory of thin elastic shells

Variational statements of equilibrium problems for a thin elastic shell within a geometrically nonlinear theory of mean bending for different types of principal boundary conditions, including non-classical, are given. Two classes of shell models are considered: (1) a geometrically nonlinear equilibrium model for an anisotropic shell of a material obeying generalized Hooke’s law; (2) a geometrically and physically nonlinear equilibria model for a shallow shell. Sufficient conditions for their generalized solvability in the corresponding Sobolev spaces are derived. In the case of the non-shallow shell the implicit function theorem is used. In the case of the shallow shell the variation problem is investigated using the generalized Weierstrass principle. Mixed finite element methods based on the use of the second derivatives of the deflection as auxiliary variables are constructed for approximate solutions of these problems. Sufficient conditions for solvability of the corresponding discrete problems are obtained. The convergence of approximate solutions is investigated. Accuracy estimates in the case of sufficiently smooth solutions of the original problems are given. Additional conditions are proposed for the problem on the shallow shell to ensure of implementation of the inequalities of the type of strong monotonicity and Lipschitz-continuity of the differential operator.

Complicated features and their solution in analysis of thin shell and plate structures

Introduction. It is instructive to assemble a list of applications from a historical point of view, and to take as a connecting theme the way in which the introduction of the thin shell as a structural form made an important contribution to the development of several branches of engineering. The following is a brief list, which is by no means complete and complicated features and their solutions for analysis of such structures. Solution technique, methods. The linear theory of thin elastic shells with arbitrary shape of the middle surface is derived on the basis of Kirchhoff’s assumptions that were used in the development of the plate bending theory introduced in Part I. These assumptions are formulated for the linear theory of thin shells of an arbitrary shape. The problem of the study of this article is to identify simple way of solution to analyze complicated features of thin shell structure by introducing modern and new programmable theories and aspects. Especially the intersecting line of connecting thin shell structures. Results. It is possible to successfully model explicitly a panel profile that can be used for optimization studies for use as possible future test studies. It has also been shown, that if test data exists, a numerical solution can be very accurately modeled to match the test data by modifying the material properties of the model. Discussion. The article should encourage structural engineers to solve complicated features in thin shell structures and design for construction of such structure which are rarely constructing in country like Nepal due to lack of skilled manpower.

Calculation method of locking torque based on elastic thin shell theory for hydraulic locking sleeve

The hydraulic locking sleeve is a key component of precision instruments such as five-axis machine tools, giant astronomical telescope, and satellite antenna. This is subjected to the action of pressure load causing large elastic deformation and locking the rotational freedom of feed shaft at any angle. The maximum locking torque is an important parameter for designing the hydraulic locking sleeve. First, the hydraulic locking sleeve is simplified as elastic thin cylindrical shell structure. Neglecting the bending and twisting effects, the calculation equations describing the deformation and stress state between the hydraulic locking sleeve and rotary shaft are derived by applying the theory of elastic thin shell. Then, taking into account that one end of the hydraulic lock sleeve is fixed to the shaft sleeve seat by the end face flange; the calculating formula of the maximum locking torque of the hydraulic locking sleeve is obtained by modifying the deformation equation based on moment model. Finally, a test platform of hydraulic locking sleeve is designed, which can measure the maximum locking torque of the hydraulic locking sleeve. The error between the calculation result of locking torque theoretical calculation model and the experimental measured value is <15%. As a result, the causes of the error are analyzed, and the effects of the shaft sleeve length, wall thickness, and radius on the maximum locking torque are calculated.

Nonlinear optical vibrations of single-walled carbon nanotubes.

We demonstrate a new specific phenomenon of the long-time resonant energy exchange in carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which is realized by two types of optical vibrations, the Circumferential Flexure Mode (CFM) and the Radial Breathing Mode (RBM). We show that the modified nonlinear Schrdinger equation, obtained in the framework of the nonlinear theory of elastic thin shells, allows us to describe the nonlinear dynamics of CNTs for specified frequency bands. Comparative analysis of the oscillations of the CFM and RBM branches shows the qualitative difference of nonlinear effects for these branches. While the nonlinear resonant interaction of the low-frequency modes in the CFM branch leads to energy capture in some domains of the CNT, the same interaction in the RBM branch does not demonstrate any tendency for energy localization. The reason lies in the distinction in the nonlinear terms in the equations of motion. While CFMs are characterized by soft polynomial nonlinearity, RBM dynamics is characterized by hard gradient nonlinearity. Moreover, in contrast to the CFM, the importance of nonlinearity in the case of RBM oscillations decreases as the length to radius ratio increases. Numerical integration of the equations of thin shell theory confirms the results of the analytical study.

Nonlinear optical vibrations of single-walled carbon nanotubes

We demonstrate the new specific phenomenon of the long-time resonant energy exchange in the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the two optical branches - the Circumferential Flexure Mode (CFM) and Radial Btreathing Mode (RBM). It is shown that the modified nonlinear Schrödinger equation, obtained in the framework of nonlinear elastic thin shell theory, allows to describe the CNT nonlinear dynamics connected with considered frequency bands. Comparative analysis of the oscillations of the CFM and RBM branches shows the principal difference between nonlinearity effects. If the nonlinear resonant interaction of the low-frequency modes in the CFM branch leads to the energy capture in the some domain of the CNT, the same interaction in the RBM branch does not appear any tendency to the energy localization. The reason of such a distinction is the difference of the non-linear terms in the equations of motion. If the CFMs are specified by the soft power nonlinearity, the RBM dynamics is determined by the hard gradient nonlinearity. Moreover, in contrast to CFM the importance of nonlinearity in the case of RBM oscillations decreases with increasing of the length to radius ratio. The numerical integration of the thin shell theory equations confirms the results of the analytical study.