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Orthodontic archwire rotation around its long axis, known as third-order torque, is utilised to correct tooth rotational misalignments moving the tooth root closer to or away from the cheek through engagement with an orthodontic bracket. Studying the behaviour of archwire and brackets during an applied rotation can aid in better understanding and appreciating the mechanics of third-order torque, potentially allowing for more effective orthodontic treatment protocols. Mechanically characterising archwire behaviour during third-order torque application is a complex task due to their physical scale and geometries. An advanced measurement technique was needed to address these constraints. A three-dimensional (3D) non-contact optical method using a digital image correlation (DIC) system was developed. An orthodontic torque simulator (OTS) was used to apply and measure third-order torque with 0.483 × 0.635 mm (0.019″ x 0.025″) rectangular archwires in tandem with a 3D DIC system, whereby surface deformations and strains could be computed using correlation algorithms. The 3D DIC system was implemented to enable third-order torque experimentation with the OTS while imaging the archwire and bracket surfaces. The 3D DIC system's ability to measure 3D archwire deformations and strains was verified using a finite element model, where comparisons between 3D DIC measurements and calculated results from the model were made to ensure the measurement capabilities of 3D DIC in the context of third-order torque. The 3D DIC system was then used to compare archwire behaviour between stainless steel (SS) and titanium molybdenum alloy (TMA) archwires to study potential clinical differences in archwire behaviour, in which the archwires were rotated with a custom SS rigid dowel (RD) as well as commercial Damon Q orthodontic brackets. The quantification of third-order torque and archwire deformations and strains led to the conclusion that SS archwires led to larger torque magnitudes compared to TMA archwires. The RD resulted in larger archwire strains compared to Damon Q brackets. The 3D DIC system provides a non-contact measurement technique that can further be used with third-order torque experimentation with the OTS. Image 1 • Isolated orthodontic archwire response to torsion is studied. • Finite element analysis is used to verify optical measurements. • Three-dimensional digital image correlation strain measurement method is validated. • Stainless steel and titanium molybdenum alloy archwire responses are compared. • Three-dimensional orthodontic archwire and bracket strain measurements are obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanical behavior of two packaging paper materials subjected to tensile loading up to complete breakage has been investigated. A model for isotropic strain hardening elastic anisotropic plasticity, coupled to anisotropic damage, is discussed. The constitutive relations, including a gradient enhanced damage model, are developed within a thermodynamical framework. The Helmholtz free energy in the continuum is assumed to depend not only on the strain and stress components but also on the damage in the material.The model has been analyzed in a non-linear finite element procedure. The capability of the model to properly capture and simulate the failure of a paper material subjected to tensile loading is demonstrated by means of several numerical examples that are compared to, and verified with, experiments on packaging paper specimens of varying geometry. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Folding of coated paper is examined numerically using the finite element method. Particular emphasis is put on the behaviour of field variables relevant for cracking of the coating layers. In the numerical analysis, the basepaper is modelled as an anisotropic elastic–plastic material (both elastic and plastic anisotropy is accounted for) while the constitutive behaviour of the coating layers are approximated by classical (Mises) elastoplasticity. The numerical results suggest, among other things, that particular forms of plastic anisotropy can substantially reduce the maximum strain levels in the coating. It is also shown that delamination buckling, in the present circumstances, will have a very small influence on the strain levels in the coating layer subjected to high tensile loading. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Out-of-plane deformations of paper, such as fluting, significantly deteriorate the quality of a printed product. There are several explanations of fluting presented in the literature but there is no unanimously accepted theory regarding fluting formation and retention which is consistent with all field observations. This paper first reviews the existing theories and proposes a mechanism that might give an answer to most of the questions regarding fluting. The fluting formation has been considered as a post-buckling phenomenon which has been analysed with the help of the finite element method. Fluting retention has been modelled by introducing an ink layer over the paper surface with the ink stiffness estimated from experimental results. The impact of fast drying on fluting has been assessed numerically and experimentally. The result of the study suggests that fluting occurs due to small-scale hygro-strain variations, which in turn are caused by the moisture variations created during fast convection (through-air) drying. The result also showed that ink stiffening alone cannot explain the fluting amplitudes observed in practice, but that high drying temperatures promote inelastic (irreversible) deformations in paper and this may itself preserve fluting. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The creep of paper is accelerated by moisture cycling. This effect is known as mechano-sorptive creep. It is assumed that this is an effect of transient stresses produced during moisture content changes in combination with non-linear creep behaviour of the fibres. The stresses produced by the moisture content changes are often much larger than the applied mechanical loads. If this is the case, the mechanical loads are only a perturbation to the internal stress state, and it will appear as if the mechano-sorptive creep is linear in stress. It is possible to take advantage of this feature. In the present report the pure moisture problem is first solved. The mechanical load is then treated as a perturbation of the solution to the moisture problem. Using this strategy, it is possible to linearize a non-linear network model for mechano-sorptive creep and to formulate a continuum model. As a result, the number of variables in the model is reduced. This is a significant improvement as it will be possible to use the linearized model to describe the material in a finite element program and solve problems with complicated geometries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Finite element analysis of the hip implant is conducted in this paper for representative femoral cross-section geometries and development of stress in the presence of bone cement is elucidated. Differences in cement stresses generated by varying implant cross-sections were compared with conventional features derived from representative implants. The analysis was performed under idealized implant assemblies by constraining the implant movement in the assembly. The cross-sections and implant geometries used are generic and intended to be representative of available geometries. This paper is a part of student research projects, prepared from a series of activities in biomedical implant research currently underway at Ohio Northern and Arkansas Tech Universities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The effect of geometric parameters has been studied in this paper on the development of stress in hip implants. The parameters include: head diameter, neck diameter, and neck angle. Two three-dimensional models were drawn, one modular and one integrated implant. These models were then altered geometrically one variable at a time, and finite element analysis (FEA) was performed on the models. In total, twenty assemblies of implant/bone cement/bone were tested. Stress spectrum was drawn for each case under a combination of hip dimensions. It is shown that as the head diameter increases, the stress at a given location reduces, however, as the surface area from increased head diameter increases, the wear rate increases. Neck angle has been found to concentrate stresses in the select regions of the hip implant. In that an angle of 40° showed low stress combinations. Therefore, a particular combination offering the best performance has not been identified and constitutes a part of an on going research activity in Mechanical Engineering Department at Ohio Northern University. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: This brief review essay was triggered by the discovery of two errors that have been perpetuated in the dental literature for the last quarter century and is intended to alert the research community. Methods: An extensive search of the published literature, using PubMed and Web of Science search engines, electronic journal resources, and several trips to the library for manual retrievals of articles were used to retrieve hundreds of articles reporting on finite element modeling – finite element analysis (FEM/FEA) involving periodontal ligament (PDL) and gutta percha (GP). Results: The literature search revealed that erroneous values for the modulus of elasticity of PDL and GP were introduced in 1980 and in 1983, respectively. The identified errors range between two to three orders of magnitude and have been used in hundreds of FEM/FEA papers. Significance: The finding casts serious doubts regarding the validity of the results published in hundreds of papers and highlights the importance of checking the references cited and citing, or at least confirming, primary sources rather than citing citations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• A complex variable EFG method for hyperelastic large deformation under non-conservative loads was proposed. • Deformation and stress of hyperelastic materials under non-conservative loads were analysed. • The approximation function of the displacement field was established by the complex variable moving least-squares method. • The complex variable EFG method has a great advantage in efficiency and accuracy than other methods. The finite element method is extremely popular in almost all fields of engineering and scientific research due to its powerful and accessible industrial software for computational modelling. However, alternatives including the meshless methods, have received increasing attention on the large deformation problems of hyperelastic materials that need to avoid mesh distortion. In this paper, based on the complex variable moving least-squares approximation, the complex variable element-free Galerkin (CVEFG) method for the large deformation problem of hyperelastic materials under non-conservative loads is established. In the present method, the Newton-Raphson method is used for solving the nonlinear equations. The algorithm for hyperelastic large deformation problems under non-conservative loads are established. Three numerical examples are used to verify the effectiveness of the CVEFG method in this paper. Numerical results show that the solution obtained using the CVEFG method is closer to that obtained by ABAQUS and is more efficient than the element-free Galerkin method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we introduce and analyze a Banach spaces-based approach yielding a fully-mixed finite element method for numerically solving the stationary chemotaxis-Navier-Stokes problem. This is a nonlinear coupled model representing the biological process given by the cell movement, driven by either an internal or an external chemical signal, within an incompressible fluid. In addition to the velocity and pressure of the fluid, the velocity gradient and the Bernouilli-type stress tensor are introduced as further unknowns, which allows to eliminate the pressure from the equations and compute it afterwards via a postprocessing formula. In turn, besides the cell density and the chemical signal concentration, the pseudostress associated with the former and the gradient of the latter are introduced as auxiliary unknowns as well. The resulting continuous formulation, posed in suitable Banach spaces, consists of a coupled system of three saddle point-type problems, each one of them perturbed with trilinear forms that depend on data and the unknowns of the other two. The well-posedness of it is analyzed by means of a fixed-point strategy, so that the classical Banach theorem, along with the Babuška-Brezzi theory in Banach spaces, allow to conclude, under a smallness assumption on the data, the existence of a unique solution. Adopting an analogue approach for the associated Galerkin scheme, and under suitable hypotheses on arbitrary finite element subspaces employed, we apply the Brouwer and Banach theorems to show existence and then uniqueness of the discrete solution. General a priori error estimates, including those for the postprocessed pressure, are also derived. Next, a specific set of finite element subspaces satisfying the required stability conditions, and yielding approximate local conservation of momentum, is introduced, which, given an integer k ≥ 0 , is defined in terms of Raviart-Thomas spaces of order k and piecewise polynomials of degree ≤ k only. The respective rates of convergence of the resulting Galerkin method are then provided. Finally, several numerical experiments confirming the latter and illustrating the good performance of the method, are reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large waves used to cause a lot of ship collapse accidents, resulting in the loss of many lives and property. The response of ships to collapse, including plasticity and buckling, has aroused focused concern among researchers. This paper carries out a hydroelasto-plastic experiment and numerical investigation of a three-cabin ship model to study its structural collapsed response. Firstly, a hydroelasto-plastic model experiment is conducted in a wave tank. A three-cabin experimental model which is made of stiffened plate, has been designed and manufactured. Then the model is forced to collapse in tank waves with measuring wave elevation, wave pressures, structural stress and rotational deformation of model. Secondly, a hydroelasto-plastic numerical approach coupling of CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) and nonlinear FEM (Finite Element Method) is used to co-calculate the wave loads and structural collapsed response of a ship model. A hydrodynamic model is constructed and utilized to solve wave loads in the CFD platform, while a nonlinear FEM model of the three-cabin structure is also constructed and solved using a nonlinear FEM solver to obtain the structural collapse response. Finally, hydroelasto-plastic experimental results and numerical results are compared and analysed, the structural collapsed characteristics of the three-cabin structure, which is very similar to a ship structure, are analysed. The numerical approach of two-way coupling of CFD and nonlinear FEM is verified for the hydroelasto-plastic problem. In this paper, the water elastic-plastic test of stiffened cabin structure under wave action is carried out, which provides a new perspective for ship structural design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes an advanced coupling method of finite element and discrete element called the Continuum-Discontinuum Element Method (CDEM). In this study, the Barton-Bandis model(BB model) for joint non-linear deformation is introduced into the CDEM to investigate the propagation of stress waves in jointed rock masses. The paper provides a detailed account of the development process of the BB model. Then, the developed model is utilized to simulate several representative cases of stress wave propagation in jointed rock masses, revealing the principles of stress wave propagation in jointed rock masses. The findings of this study demonstrate that the simulation results of the CDEM exhibit favorable consistency with experimental and theoretical results. This confirms the capability of the CDEM to accurately and effectively simulate stress wave propagation in jointed rock masses, thereby expanding the applicability of the CDEM. This research provides powerful support for further understanding and analysis of stress wave propagation problems in jointed rock masses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A tidal turbine can benefit from exquisitely designed morphing blades with a flexible trailing edge by mitigating up to 90% of the load fluctuation in harsh ocean environments, which reduces the overall cost of tidal energy. However, existing fluid–structure interaction (FSI) methods of resolving flow-induced deformation of the blades is computationally expensive, which poses an important challenge to effective morphing blade design. This paper presents a novel static FSI tool based on deep learning to cost-efficiently analyze the fluid–structure coupling of a hydrofoil. Specifically, adopting a convolutional neural network (CNN) to predict the fluid force and finite element method (FEM) to solve the solid structure response, a new CNN-FEM framework with an iterative scheme for solving the FSI problem is developed to achieve equilibrium between the fluid and structural forces. The new framework is used to predict the elastic deformation of the flexible blade section of the hydrofoil to demonstrate its effectiveness in the FSI evaluation. Comparison of the results to those produced by commercially developed software (i.e., Ansys Workbench) shows that this method yields extremely close prediction results of average equivalent stress and an accuracy of more than 92%. Moreover, it is 100 times more computationally efficient than the commercial Ansys Workbench software, requiring less than 3s for one-way FSI calculation. Taking advantage of this cost-effectiveness, the CNN-FEM can be used to achieve the accurate prediction of the deformation characteristics of the flexible hydrofoil under various flow scenarios that lay a foundation for advanced morphing blade design in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the multi-functional requirements, more and more multi-dimensional functionally graded structures are reported, while their thermo-mechanical performances are still unclear. This paper aims at theoretically examining the thermo-mechanical behaviors of two-dimensional functionally graded (2D-FG) microbeam excited by a moving load. The formulation is established in the framework of the modified couple stress theory in combination with Hamilton's principle, and this problem is numerically solved through the finite element method (FEM). The material properties of the 2D-FG microbeam are treated as temperature-dependent parameters that vary smoothly along with both the axial and thickness directions, and three different thermal loads including the uniform, linear, and nonlinear temperature rises are taken into account. Both the fundamental frequency and the dynamic transverse deflection are analyzed with consideration of different axial and thickness gradient indexes, thermal load types, temperature rise amplitudes, and small scale parameters. The conclusion obtained in this paper can serve as a guideline for assessing the thermal performance of microstructures subjected to a moving load. • A two-dimensional functionally graded (2D-FG) microbeam under moving load is modeled. • 2D-FG material properties are treated as temperature-dependent parameters. • Influences of uniform, linear and nonlinear temperature rises are compared. • Coupling effect of temperature rise and moving load on the dynamic deflection is analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces a multi-objective design mechanism to minimize both the initial and running costs of industrial robot arms. The goal of the design problem is to decide the type of material and physical dimensions of the robot arm to withstand high loads at vulnerable locations using stress analysis. Additionally, it selects the material architecture for the robot links based on a vibration analysis to avoid robot failure at or close to the resonance frequency. Hence, a set of design equations based on stress analysis are developed using analytical approaches while the findings are supported by finite element simulations in ANSYS. These decide the type of material, cross-section area, factor of safety (FoS), and maximum deflection of the robot links in terms of the mass-loads. Moreover, the vibration analysis is conducted to enhance the dynamic characteristics of the robot arm. Therefore, the excitation frequency is modified by changing the mass and the robot segment-material to evade working at the natural frequency. Modal analysis is conducted using ANSYS to identify the fundamental frequencies and their modal shapes. Then, a material selection mechanism based on finite element analysis is considered to allow a safe frequency operation range for the robot arm. A customized robot arm structure that combines Magnesium and Aluminum alloy with highly improved FoS and minimizes the initial and operating costs is proposed. In addition to the body structure of the robot arm, the influence of the reducers and motors on the stiffness and vibration of the robot arm is presented. Finally, the motion of the robot arm is optimized using a Genetic Algorithm subject to a set of boundary conditions imposed by the desired mission. The effect of rotation angle value in the power consumption is presented. The coefficients of a developed angular displacement function are optimized to ensure minimum power consumption during the robot missions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The heterogeneous aggregate expansion rooted from fast neutron was considered. • Radiation-induced damage yields significant stiffness degradation. • Combined effect of neutron radiation, lateral stress ratio and strain rate was investigated. • Failure mechanism of radiation-induced concrete under biaxial compression was revealed. • Formulas of biaxial compression strength for radiation-induced concretes were derived. As a good shielding material, heavyweight concrete is largely utilized for building the Concrete Biological Shielding (CBS) wall of the commercial nuclear power plant, and is often subjected to the biaxial loadings with a strain rate possibly varying from 10−5s−1 to 10−2s−1. This paper assesses the combined effects of the lateral stress and the strain rate on the compressive strength of radiation-induced heavyweight concrete on the example of serpentine concrete. For this goal, a 3-dimensional rectangular numerical concrete specimen containing special aggregates and ITZs was firstly established. Exposed to neutrons of different fluences, the initial damages caused by the fast neutron were assessed by a thermal-mechanical approach. Then, a series of static and dynamic biaxial compressive tests on the rectangular specimens having initial damages of different degrees were carried out by finite element analysis via ABAQUS. The failure modes, the crack patterns, and the ultimate compressive strengths of the pre-irradiated serpentine concrete were obtained numerically. Finally, based on the numerical results and the classical "Kupfer-Gerstle" ("K-G") criterion, this paper derives the biaxial strength criterion of the radiation-induced heavyweight concrete undergoing both lateral stress and strain rate. Through the formula, it was found that the fast neutron fluence of high level reduces significantly the biaxial compressive strength of the heavyweight concrete. Besides, if the heavyweight concrete undergoes additionally lateral stress and the strain rate, the biaxial compressive strength could be enhanced. The enhancement effect was maximized at the lateral stress ratio of 0.5 and the strain rate of 10−2s−1. The current numerical approach was developed with a potential application to the lifetime extension of the heavyweight concrete infrastructures used in commercial nuclear reactors. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A stress-based evolutionary topology optimization framework via XIGA is proposed. • Geometric boundaries of optimized design explicitly expressed as B-spline. • Satisfactory stress accuracy along the structural boundaries is guaranteed by XIGA. • No need for fine meshing to achieve clear strength design with smooth boundaries. • Structural boundary control points of the strength design can be directly edited to further improve strength performance. This paper presents a novel approach to stress-based topology optimization that employs NURBS representations of explicit geometric boundaries to address stress minimization and stress-constrained problems. The proposed methodology is compatible with CAD systems and utilizes Extended IsoGeometric Analysis (XIGA) to ensure an accurate representation of stress field in the evolving structure. A p -norm aggregation scheme is used to measure global stress levels, and the aggregated stress constraint is augmented to the objective (compliance) via a Lagrange multiplier in stress-constrained problems. The proposed approach introduces a novel and efficient Lagrange multiplier trail strategy aimed at reducing computational costs. Additionally, a normalization scheme and a partial differential equation filter are presented to stabilize the highly nonlinear stress-based optimization. Validation studies demonstrate the effectiveness and characteristics of the proposed approach. Moreover, control points of the structural design can be directly edited to further improve strength performance. Comparative studies show clear advantages of the proposed methodology in terms of computational efficiency compared to other Finite element analysis (FEA)-based optimization methods. Overall, this paper presents a practical and novel approach that addresses the limitations of existing FEA-based optimization methods in terms of accuracy, flexibility, and degree of freedom (DOF) cost, and makes a significant contribution to the field of stress-based topology optimization. Graphical abstract [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This paper presents the fracture model calibration of SS275 hot-rolled thin plates, which involved quasi-static tests and finite element analysis. • The hardening model parameters were determined using the Swift law, while the ductile fracture model parameters were calibrated using the Hosford-Coulomb model within the linear damage framework. • The accuracy of the model was validated by comparing the results with the test data, and it was found that the highest fracture strain occurred in the uniaxial tension state. • The calibrated model was then used to predict the cycle life to failure in an extreme low cycle fatigue test, which was found to be 70 cycles. • The results indicate that the ductile fracture model performed well in predicting extremely low-cycle fatigue. • The paper's findings can be useful in predicting the fracture initniaon of engineering structures and components under multiaxial stress states, which can ultimately lead to improved designs and increased safety. The complexity of the loading conditions makes it challenging to accurately predict the damage evolution and resulting ductile fracture in materials and structures. This paper presents an application method to predict fracture initiation for low cycle fatigue of 4-point bending in structural steel SS275. The swift isotropic hardening law was used in the numerical simulation to account for large strain deformation. The damage indicator framework with the Hosford-Coulomb (HC) model was adopted to characterize the damage accumulation and fracture behavior. Uniaxial tension tests on specimens with various fracture modes were conducted to determine the material properties required for calibration of the plasticity model and fracture model param1eters. Non-linear finite element analyses were performed to identify fracture model parameters based on the loading path of fracture initiation. The presented HC model was applied to an extremely low fatigue test (less than 100 cycles) and demonstrated good accuracy in predicting fracture initiation for complex loading scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prediction of the deformation during shape casting by FEM (finite element method) thermal stress analysis has been desired. For such prediction, validated constitutive models are essential for both the casting alloy and the mold. In this paper, two fatal defects in the modified Cam-Clay (MCC) model, which has conventionally been employed for a green sand mold, are clarified. The aim of this paper is to concurrently resolve these defects by a new yield criterion. The defects were those that cause an unreal distinct yielding and dilatancy peak on the stress-strain curve, which was clarified by comparing the true stress-strain curves obtained in the experiment and the FEM stress analysis of a triaxial compression test. A device capable of measuring the true stress during vertical compression was newly developed for the triaxial experiment. These defects inevitably led the MCC model to overestimate the mold strength by approximately 200% of the experimental value. This paper provides a new yield criterion, which employs an additional yield surface with the Drucker-Prager inherent surface, to rectify these defects of the MCC model. As a result of the stress analysis of the triaxial test with the new criterion, the smooth stress-strain curve with neither a peak nor a distinct yielding was reproduced. The calculated compressive stress traced the experimental value with less than a 15% error. Therefore, the new criterion should remarkably improve the accuracy of calculating the mold strength in the FEM thermal stress analyses during casting when compared to the MCC model. [Display omitted] • Modified Cam-Clay model of a green sand mold is constructed and validated. • An original triaxial test device is developed to validate the model experimentally. • Defects of the model that cause overestimation of the mold strength are clarified. • The defects are distinct yielding and dilatancy regardless of sand filling degree. • To resolve both of the two defects, a new yield criterion is proposed and validated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of the 3D printing and additive manufacturing in making medical devices have become widespread in the last decades as the opportunity of the technology is rapidly growing. Notably, the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) in 3D printing technique has been applied to develop the ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) with different materials and composites. This paper presents a new design and simulation results of a novel orthosis using Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP). The orthosis for ankle-foot is designed for rehabilitation of the patient from the foot drop disease. The orthosis' shape is modelled to support the backside of the calf. It contributes to the maintenance of the gait cycle. In this paper, two different models of the AFO are compared, namely articulated and non-articulated. The finite-element analysis is done using the ANSYS software, and the results for equivalent Von-Mises stress as well as total deformation are observed and analyzed. Various materials are applied during the numerical analysis, as well as their combinations are tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substantial compressive deformation occurs in the gas diffusion layer (GDL) under the pressure applied during the fuel cell assembly. The GDL deformation has a direct impact on the efficiency and performance of the fuel cell since it leads to the alteration of the GDL microstructure and porosity. This makes the accurate characterization of the GDL compressive behavior crucial for analyzing the fuel cell performance and its optimal design. In this paper, analytical, experimental, and numerical methods have been employed to comprehensively study the constitutive law of the GDL under compression. Starting from the recently developed stress-density relations, the constitutive stress-strain equations are derived for the GDL and the relation between the stress-density and stress-strain laws are revealed. Experimental compression tests have been performed on GDL samples and the capability of the proposed constitutive law in capturing the real behavior of the material has been proved. It has been observed that the simplifying assumption of constant zero Poisson's ratio in the through-plane direction made in many previous studies cannot accurately represent the GDL material behavior and a modification is proposed. The developed constitutive law has been successfully implemented in a finite element model of the GDL-bipolar plate assembly in the fuel cell structure and the variations of the GDL porosity, density, and through-plane Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio have been investigated for different vertical displacements of the bipolar plate. • The constitutive stress-strain constitutive laws are derived for the gas diffusion layer. • The relation between the stress-density and stress-strain constitutive laws are revealed. • The evolution of the GDL through-plane Poisson's ratio during deformation are explored for the first time. • The developed constitutive laws are successfully implemented in the finite element model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The paper deals with the analysis of the effective stiffness of stiffened metallic panels under combined compression and shear stress as used, e.g. in aircraft fuselages. An important criterion for sizing and certification of aircraft fuselages is the local and global buckling behaviour. For optimisation of stiffened metallic panels it is necessary to know the buckling and postbuckling behaviour as accurately as possible. Due to the fact that nonlinear FE analyses of a whole aircraft fuselage are too time consuming, a very fast quasi nonlinear FE analysis with a coarse mesh under consideration of semi-empirical methods for the effective skin-stiffness are used. At this point the effective stiffness method derived in this paper is used. Admittedly previous semi-empirical methods like the effective width method [J. Wiedemann, Leichtbau 1: Elemente, second ed., 1996; M.C.Y. Niu, Airframe Stress Analysis and Sizing, second ed., Commilit. Press Ltd., 1999] (only for pure compression load) or the method of Kuhn [P. Kuhn, J.P. Peterson, L.R. Levin, A summary of diagonal tension part I – methods of analysis, Technical Note 2661, NACA, 1952] (only for pure shear load) have disadvantages for the general combined compression and shear load case. This is improved in the current method. The first part of the paper deals with the realisation of the compression and shear test facility in a finite element model. The verification of the finite element model is important for subsequent parameter variations. The second part of the paper presents the approach of how to assess the effective skin-stiffness. In comparison to the paper in [M. Heitmann, P. Horst, D. Fitzsimmons, Effective stiffness of postbuckled stiffened metallic panels under combined compression and shear stress, J. Strain Anal. 38 (6) (2003) 534–555] many new parameters have been analysed. Therefore the new approach for the geometrically nonlinear analysis derived from the finite element results for combined compression and shear stress is considerably improved. At the end of the paper the great benefit of the new approach is shown. The results of very fast quasi nonlinear FE analyses under consideration of the new approach for the effective skin-stiffness on a coarse panel mesh agree well with the results of time expensive nonlinear FE analysis on a very fine panel mesh. Further studies are necessary to expand the new method to the influence of plasticity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To promote the analysis/design of high-strength steel (HSS) Q690E/Q960E structures, this paper firstly developed stress-strain (σ-ε) constitutive models of HSS Q690E/Q960E at different low temperatures (T) of −80, −60, −30, and 20 °C. The prediction equations on key parameters in the σ-ε constitutive models (e.g., yield/ultimate/fracture strength and their corresponding strains, and elastic modulus) of HSS Q690E/Q960E at varying low temperatures were developed. Validations against 39 test results confirmed that proposed constitutive models offered reasonable estimations on the low-temperature σ-ε constitutive models of HSS Q690E/Q960E. Finite element models (FEMs) with the continuum damage plasticity model (CDPM) and proposed σ-ε models were developed for HSS Q690E/Q960E materials at ambient/low temperatures. Validations of FEM simulations against 39 tensile tests on HSS coupons proved that the FEMs with CDPM predict well σ-ε behaviours of HSS Q690E/Q960E at −80–20 °C. This paper also developed FEMs with CDPM to simulate the low-temperature compression behaviour of HSS Q690E/Q960E tubular columns. Validations against six compression tests confirmed that the FEMs with the CDPM and proposed σ-ε constitutive models were capable of simulating the HSS Q690E/Q960E structural members. • Stress-strain (σ-ε) constitutive models of HSS Q690E and Q960E at low temperatures (T) are developed. • FEMs with proposed σ-ε models are developed for HSS Q690E and Q960E materials at low temperatures. • FEMs with CDPM predict well σ-ε behaviours of HSS Q690E and Q960E at −80–20 °C. • FEMs with the CDPM and proposed σ-ε constitutive models predict well behaviours of HSS Q690E and Q960E structural members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fixtures can maintain stability in the machining of thin-walled parts (TWP), thus avoiding the occurrence of workpiece deformation. The stress at the fixture-workpiece contact interface is a key factor in evaluating the reliability of the fixture's restraint on the TWP. This paper investigates the prediction of icing interface normal stress during TWP milling based on the ice-based fixturing (IBF) previously proposed by the authors of this paper. The principle of the IBF is first explained. The mechanical properties of the ice-workpiece bonding material (IWBM) are then characterized by Dundurs parameters. Afterwards, an analytical model for the prediction of icing interface normal stress under cutting load is developed using the Goursat formula based on the interface continuity conditions of stress and displacement. The finite element method (FEM) is then used to verify the accuracy of the prediction model, and the results show that the average prediction error of the icing interface normal stress is limited to 13.99%. Finally, milling experiments are carried out to verify the validity of the finite element model, and the experimental results show that the simulation errors of the main cutting force and feeding force are limited to 12.35% and 11.47% respectively, and the FEM can greatly simulate the cutting state of the workpiece clamped by IBF. This paper can provide a valuable theoretical and practical basis for the analysis and prediction of stress at the workpiece-fixture contact interface. • The concept of "ice-based fixturing" is proposed to suppress machining deformation of thin-walled parts. • Dundurs parameters are used to characterize the mechanical properties of the icing interface. • An analytical model for the prediction of icing interface normal stresses under cutting loads is developed using the Goursat formula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main cause of failure in bonded ceramic restorations is material fracture due to excessive stress concentration at the base of the prosthesis. The design of restorative functionally graded materials (FGM) could represent a major advance in dissipating mechanical stresses during occlusal contacts. The aim of this paper is to carry out a complete factorial design of finite element analyses to optimize a multilayer FGM introduced at the bottom of an overlay prosthesis. The number and thickness of layers vary within a spectrum compatible with ceramic shaping processes whereas Young's moduli variations are set in the range of dental tissues. For a 1.5-mm thick prosthesis, the optimal FGM configuration appears to be a 5 layers of 0.2 mm thickness with a linear distribution of Young's modulus from 30 to 70 GPa. This configuration was implemented in a 3D model of a restored tooth with realistic geometry to validate the proof-of-concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An atomistic–continuum multi-scale method is developed for nonlinear behavior of hetrogenous nano-materials. • The nucleation, migration, and elimination of dislocation as well as the dislocation-vacancy interaction are captured. • Effect of nano-scale void defects is modeled using the stress tensor and tangent modulus derived from atomistic RVE. • A statistical study is exerted to investigate the effect of influential parameters on the RVE mechanical behavior. • The mechanical behavior of nano-porous gold foam is studied during the compaction process. In this paper, an atomistic–continuum homogenization multiscale method is developed to study the nonlinear behavior of heterogeneous nanomaterials. The atomistic representative volume element (RVE) with vacancy and/or void defects are analyzed by employing the fully atomistic method, in which the nucleation, migration, and elimination of dislocation, as well as the dislocation-vacancy interaction, are captured. The coarse-scale material domain is modeled within the framework of the nonlinear finite element method, and the impression of nanoscale material defects is investigated by upscaling the stress tensor and tangent modulus from the atomistic RVE based on the Hill-Mandel principle. The principle of inter-scale kinematic compatibility is implemented using the periodic boundary condition. The mechanical behavior of atomistic RVE under various deformation modes is elucidated through stress – strain and dislocation density – strain curves. Due to the random nature of defects on the atomistic scale, a statistical procedure is exerted to numerically investigate the effect of influential parameters on the RVE mechanical behavior. Finally, the impression of vacancy and/or nanoscale void defects on the multiscale simulation of coarse-scale materials is illustrated in several numerical examples. The obtained results of the multiscale analysis is also verified with experimental data. Moreover, the compaction behavior of nanoporous gold foam is studied through the proposed multiscale method that highlights a good agreement with the fully atomistic analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Level-set method is applied for stress-based topology optimization of plate problems. • Solving optimization problems with arbitrarily complex geometries and boundaries. • A stabilized least-squares method is applied for solving level-set-based equations. • The shape derivatives, adjoint method, and p -norm aggregation function are used. In this paper, we present a stress-based topology optimization of plate structures by using a finite element level-set (LS) method. Since stress constraints are independent with LS-based design variables, the singularity phenomenon arising in topology optimization under stress constraints can be resolved without using any relaxation technique. The finite element method is used for solving LS-based equations of design variables and the state and adjoint equations of plate structures with arbitrary complex geometries and boundaries of the design domain. To obtain stable finite element solutions without any oscillation, both unsteady LS convection-diffusion equation and LS re-initialization convection-reaction equation are solved using a stabilized least-squares finite element method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a novel numerical simulation approach based on the finite element method for dynamically modeling the excavation process of shield tunneling is proposed, with the shield-ground interactions well captured. This method is capable of mimicking the alternating modes of advancing and stopping of a shield boring machine during underground construction, with the important effects of the cutterhead rotation and slurry support pressure considered. Under the cutting action, the soil at the excavation face would experience irreversible deformation and damage, such that additional support needs to be provided by the cutterhead blades and slurry to maintain stability. The impacts of key construction parameters are examined, including cutterhead rotary speed, advance rate, and slurry support pressure, on shield tunneling operations and ground responses. The numerical model is rigorously validated against physical model experiments. This work provides useful insights into the mechanistic processes in the stratum during shield tunneling, including the spatiotemporal evolution of ground deformation patterns and stress redistributions. The results offer valuable guidance for optimizing shield tunneling operations and enhancing tunneling safety and efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the Variational Iteration Method (VIM) or Extended Kantorovich Method (EKM) is formulated for the first time for flexible porous functionally graded (PFGM) plates with different boundary conditions and geometric nonlinearity according to the theory of Theodore von Karman. Its accuracy and efficiency are demonstrated. The plate is subjected to a uniform transversal load and temperature field. The displacement field of the plate is approximated based on the classical plate theory (CTP) or Kirchhoff's plate theory. The governing equations are derived using Hamilton's principle. Modified Coupled Stress Theory (MCST) is used to account for size-dependent effects. The material properties vary with thickness and are temperature dependent. Four porosity distribution patterns are considered in this study. Several examples are solved to demonstrate the proposed algorithm. The results obtained are compared with solutions obtained by the Bubnov-Galerkin Method (BGM) in higher approximations, the Finite Difference Method (FDM) of second order accuracy, as well as with results obtained by the Finite Element Method (FEM) of other authors. The results include an analysis of the effect of size dependent parameters, porosity type pattern, porosity index, functionally graded index, temperature field and different types of boundary conditions on the stress–strain state and bending deflection of plates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-directional rafting of γ' phases in high generation nickel-based single crystal superalloys happens when the alloys are thermally exposed at high temperatures, but so far the reason remains unclear. The microstructures and internal stress fields of a 4th generation single crystal superalloy during thermal exposure at 1100 ℃ and 950 ℃ are investigated using transmission electron microscopy and finite element analysis. It is found that the non-directional rafting of γ' phases occurs after 1100 ℃/200 h and 950 ℃/500 h thermal exposures. The γ' phases are mainly rodlike shape in the space after thermal exposures and a small quantity of γ' rafts exist as well. The elastic strain energy gradient in γ matrix caused by the inhomogeneity of matrix channel width in the alloy is most likely the driving force for the non-directional rafting. Additionally, dislocations are observed only after the thermal exposure process at 1100 ℃. The effect of dislocations on non-directional rafting during thermal exposure is discussed in detail in the paper. • TEM and finite element analysis are used to study non-directional rafting of γ'. • γ' phases are mainly rodlike spatially after thermal exposure at high temperature. • It is found that dislocations are unnecessary for the non-directional rafting. • Elastic strain energy is larger in narrower γ matrix channel at high temperature. • Elastic strain energy gradient in matrix probably causes non-directional rafting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the results of studies on based the universal morphology of recycled coarse aggregates in reality, an idealized model of recycled coarse aggregates was prepared using stones. Axial compressive strength tests were conducted on prism-shaped specimens of Modeled Recycled Coarse Aggregate Concrete (MRCAC), which were prepared with different old cement mortar coverages and aggregate arrangements. Through comparison with experimental data, the reliability of the finite element analysis model was determined. It was found that the arrangement of MRCA had a significant impact on the failure characteristics and elastic modulus of MRCAC. Thus, different arrangement modes affected the stress distribution within the specimens, resulting in significantly different axial compressive strength. • Studied the influence of aggregate arrangement on the stress characteristics of MRCAC. • Studied the influence of old cement mortar on the mechanical properties of MRCAC under different internal force transmissions. • Revealed the influence characteristics of old mortar on the stress-strain relationship in recycled concrete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The battery-pack system of electric vehicles is prone to collide with low obstacles on the road, causing battery short circuits and even explosions. It poses a great safety threat to passengers and drivers. The honeycomb structure's high energy absorption and lightweight properties have made it a popular choice in the automotive industry. This paper designs different bio-inspired honeycomb structures to a battery-pack system of electric vehicles to improve the crashworthiness performance. The effects of different bio-inspired honeycomb structures on the crashworthiness of a battery-pack system during frontal impact are analyzed based on a nonlinear finite element model. First, the geometric parameters of seven different bio-inspired honeycomb individual units are described. The overall structure of the honeycomb is applied to a battery-pack system. Second, the nonlinear finite element model of a battery-pack system and honeycomb structures are established and verified. Then, collision simulations are conducted. The deformation and the maximum stress of a battery-pack's bottom shell are computed. The energy absorbed by the honeycomb structures during frontal impact are investigated. The results indicate that the proposed bio-inspired honeycomb structure mimicking grass stems improves the safety performance of battery-pack systems most. Finally, a parametric design is carried out on the bio-inspired honeycomb structure. The effects of wall thicknesses and the number of replacement hexagons on the crashworthiness performance are analyzed. The honeycomb structure preforms best when thickness is 1 mm and the number of replacement hexagons is 2 and 4. The optimized bio-inspired honeycomb structure reduces the deformation of the battery-pack' bottom shell by up to 30%, and maximum stress by 10%. • The deformation, maximum stress, and energy absorption are investigated. • The effects of seven bio-inspired honeycomb structures are analyzed. • Parametric design is carried out to further improve the crashworthiness performance. • The deformation of the bottom shell can be reduced by up to 30%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, J -integral and T* -integral in elastic–plastic fracture are computed by the quadrature element method (QEM). Since high stress gradients exist in the immediate vicinity of the crack front, computing these integrals accurately is not a trivial task. The QEM facilitates the construction of arbitrarily high-order elements, which effectively capture the stress gradients, making it particularly suitable for this computation. After performing an elastoplastic stress–strain analysis of the fracture problem, the stress and deformation states are further formulated to compute the integrals. The integrals are formulated in several forms, including the contour and domain forms, as well as the incremental and total forms. Classical numerical examples are solved to demonstrate the effectiveness and high accuracy of the method. Overall, the equivalent domain integral (EDI) form outperforms the contour integral form because errors at the local contour have less effect on the integral. Moreover, the QEM yields more accurate solutions than the popular finite element method (FEM) that employs low-order finite elements and shares the same number of degrees of freedom. Additionally, it is found that the EDI form solution is not very sensitive to the specific type of the S function. Therefore, a linear function is suggested for convenience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the experimental and numerical results of an ongoing research project on the use of thermal break systems (TBSs) in internally insulated reinforced concrete (RC) structures. A new TBS, which combines steel profiles and U-shaped steel bars, is introduced and tested under monotonic loading to determine its horizontal and vertical shear capacities. The test results confirmed the appropriateness of SLABE-TBS for use in exterior wall–slab joints that demand high ductility or energy absorption despite the failure mode by concrete punching. The tested joints exhibited load-carrying capacities of 190.2 and 120.5 kN/m under horizontal and vertical loading, respectively. On the other hand, the finite element analysis performed using LS-DYNA software confirmed the significance of the U-shaped steel bars of the SLABE-TBS in improving the joint's shear capacity. However, incorporating the steel bars in the SLABE unit can reduce the equivalent stresses in the adjacent steel profiles by 33 %. • A new thermal break system (SLABE-ZN) for exterior wall–slab joints was proposed. • The tested exterior joints equipped with SLABE-ZN exhibited stable behavior under horizontal and vertical loading. • Incorporating steel bars in the SLABE unit can reduce the equivalent stresses in adjacent steel profiles by 33 %. • The contribution of the U-steel bars was approximately 30 % and 21 % under horizontal and vertical loading, respectively. • Decreasing the insulation thickness by 10 mm accounts for a 7 % increase in the load-carrying capacity of the SLABE system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virtual-real Fusion is a technology that enables rapid integration of physical information and decision-making through visualization and interaction. By combining with the field of ship structure design, this technology is applied to improve the competitiveness of enterprises. In this paper, a method of virtual-real interaction and symbiosis between engineering analysis and physical scenarios is proposed, aiming to enhance the design and evaluation of hull structures. Initially, the establishment of a high-fidelity digital twin model is ensured to be consistent with the physical scene, paired with a collision detection mechanism consistent with the physical scene, which plays a key role in the correlation of loads and boundary conditions for subsequent real-time numerical simulations. Secondly, measured data from physical sensors are used to drive virtual scenes to ensure that computers understand and reproduce specific physical phenomena. Subsequently, the real-time numerical simulation data is filtered and transformed. At the same time, engineers can explore finite element analysis results on-site through virtual reality visualization technology to track the mechanical interactions between physical components, thereby reducing spatial and logical misunderstandings and enabling collaboration with other departments. Finally, a prototype system with basic functions is developed. A case study focusing on mechanical experiment of ship structures is carried out, which demonstrates the practicability of the proposed method. • Acquire load data from the real environment and simulate deformation and stress of the structure in real time. • Carry out analysis and model modification of virtual reality-assisted interaction. • Configure a physical sensor network for real-time acquisition of virtual-reality fusion field data. • Enable real-time interaction and decision-making between virtual and physical objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In nanotechnology, flexoelectric solids exhibit notable electrical polarization induced by internal strain gradients, rendering them promising for various applications. However, inherent material imperfections are inevitable. Particularly within flexoelectric solids, substantial strain gradients exist in proximity to internal defects, resulting in localized concentration of electrical polarization and potential structural failure. Among the various defect types, circular-shaped inhomogeneity is prevalent. This paper comprehensively investigates the plane strain problem on cylindrical inhomogeneities within flexoelectric solids. The full-field analytical solution is derived for this problem for the first time. Given that flexoelectric theory encompasses pure strain gradient elasticity theory, the strain gradient elasticity solution for plane strain cylindrical inhomogeneities is also established for the first time. This study reveals that the stiffness and size of the inhomogeneity, along with the loading ratio in two directions, exert a noteworthy influence on the local electromechanical coupling behavior near the inhomogeneity. Finally, the mixed finite element method is utilized to approximate the solution numerically, and the close agreement between the finite element results and the analytical solution demonstrates this study's reliability and rigor. Therefore, this investigation imparts valuable insights into examining defects in flexoelectric solids and serves as a foundation for studying more intricate defect typologies. • The exact solution for flexoelectric cylindrical inhomogeneities is derived. • The inhomogeneity stiffness influences stress and polarization concentration. • Effects of loading conditions and inhomogeneity sizes are investigated. • A mixed finite element method is used for comparison with analytical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a composite column using carbon fibre reinforced plastics and polyvinyl chloride composite tube (CFRP-PVC) to constrain coral aggregate seawater sea-sand concrete (CSSC) was proposed, and CFRP was pasted on the inner and outer walls of the PVC tube. To investigate the effects of the number of CFRP layers and void defects on the axial compression performance of PVC tubes, six specimens were made for axial compression loading tests and finite element parameter analysis. The results indicate that due to PVC improving the integrity of CFRP, PVC tube provide a stress transfer path for CFRP, placing CSSC in a triaxial compression state. When both the inner and outer walls of the tube are pasted with CFRP, brittle failure of CFRP-PVC tube can be effectively avoided and have relatively superior mechanical properties. In the same situation, when one layer of CFRP is pasted on the inner wall of the tube, it has better ductility and bearing capacity. When two layers of CFRP are pasted on the outer wall of the tube, the coefficient of constraint stress increase is as high as 121.5%, and the void defect only has a significant impact on ductility. A finite element model of CFRP-PVC confined CSSC columns considering Hashin damage criterion was established based on ABAQUS, accurately predicting the failure process and CFRP damage morphology of test columns under axial load. Parameter analysis shows that when the confinement coefficient of CFRP-PVC confined CSSC columns is less than 0.3 and the height-diameter ratio is greater than 15, the load-displacement curve will lose the strengthening stage, and increasing the number of outer CFRP layers will slightly increase the stiffness of the strengthening stage. A bearing capacity calculation method suitable for CFRP-PVC confined CSSC was proposed based on the model of steel tube confined concrete, with an error of 1.2%. ● CFRP-PVC tube confined coral aggregate seawater sea-sand concrete (CSSC) column was proposed. ● The axial compression test was conducted to explore the mechanical properties of CFRP-PVC confined CSSC columns. ● The finite element models of the CFRP-PVC confined CSSC column were established to conduct parametric investigation. ● The axial strength calculation method of CFRP-PVC confined CSSC columns was proposed considering the CFRP-PVC tube restraint efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Intelligent morphing wings have become a research hotspot due to their potential value. This paper is also an innovative basic research work to study it. The deformation performances of the GFRP(glass fiber reinforced polymer) composite beams embedded different pre-strained indented SMA wires were experimentally and numerically studied. The indentation SMA wire made by mechanical indentation method has better interface bonding strength than normal SMA wire. In this paper, the indented SMA wires acting as actuators, were embedded in a symmetrically GFRP laminated composite beam and located at the eccentric position of the laminate. The layering scheme of the laminated plate is as follows: [90°(4:1 fabric)/SMA/0°/0°/90°(4:1)]. The 0° direction is consistent with the direction of the axis of the SMA wire. The Finite element method is adopted to simulate the deformation of the beam with indented SMA wire in which the linear constitutive model of fully constrained SMA wires, together with considering their thermally-induced strain response, is used to describe the recoverable properties of SMA. The prediction from the numerical simulation agrees well with experimental measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • An improved geometrical conception of the DEMO Divertor Cassette has been considered and a suitable finite element mesh has been adopted. • The loads really acting on this component have been evaluated detailly and applied overcoming the early hypothesis of uniform distribution: so the load spatial gradients have been reprioduced with more precision. • The obtained results confirm the previous deductions: the main role has been carried out by the thermal loads, and moreover the electric-magnetic loads determine a state of stress far lower than that caused by the thermal loads. • These thermal loads are the results of a dedicated thermal-fluid–dynamic numerical code properly developed for this aim. • Also in this case, an early application of RCC-MRx design rule have been applied: the Divertor Cassette results to be safe in nominal conditions while the same assessment states that the knuckle stress state is above faliure. Abstract This paper presents the enhancements related to the structural analyses of DEMO Divertor in the framework of the EUROfusion Power Plant Physics & Technology (PPPT) program. This activity started two years ago and its preliminary results were published in previous papers. It has been divided in some areas defined by the similarity of the matters they contain: the structural analysis, of utmost importance, has been preceded by a preliminary phase, like the geometry definition or the thermal and the electric-magnetic analysis for loads evaluation; then the structural analysis has been finally confirmed with further evaluations related to excessive deformation or plastic instability. This paper discusses the improvements adopted either in the preliminary analysis or in the main structural analysis. Specifically it highlights the introduction of the thermal and electro-magnetic loads application in terms of a detailed spatial distribution that is now available. More the supports have been introduced in the model and their structural behavior has been investigated considering their interaction with the cassette. The structural assessment, according to the Design and Construction Rules for Mechanical Components of Nuclear Installation (RCC-MRx), has been performed either for the cassette or for the attachments: for the former it is positive while for the latter case serious limitations have been found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract ASME B31 and EN 13480-3 piping design codes are considered as the state-of-the-art codes for many piping engineers. However, as shown in this paper, there seem to be inconsistencies between ASME B31 code and more elaborate calculation codes, such as ASME Section III. In fact, it is shown in the paper that the ASME B31 approach can produce potentially non-conservative results. This seemingly important flaw in the B31 (and other major) piping codes is based on the allowable stress calculation based on equation (1b) of both ASME B31.1 and B31.3 and has been shown in detail in the paper. Finally, the stated flaw is verified by means of a finite element analysis which corroborates the stated concerns. Highlights • Paper presents an overview and comparison of various piping Code philosophies. • Critical overview of verification criteria is provided. • New acceptance criteria which guarantee conservative design are proposed. • Validation of the statements given in form of FEA verification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract A concept for using snap-fit connectors in sandwich pipes is investigated numerically in two companion papers using a combination of 2D axisymmetric and 3D finite element models in Abaqus. In the Part 1 paper, results of key parametric studies related to the installation analysis of sandwich pipes in deepwater are reported. The modification of the nib groove to include variable radii, the use of an elastomeric seal coupled with compressive pre-stress and an optimum resin-to-core ratio all proved to enhance the performance of the sandwich pipe snap-fit connectors. The influence of the interlayer adhesion configuration on the stress concentration experienced in the connector is also studied. Furthermore, a comparative study is performed to investigate the mechanical behaviour of the snap-fit connector concept in sandwich pipes and conventional pipe-in-pipe. In the Part 2 paper, an optimisation study is carried out for the stress relief groove (SRG) in the pin of the snap-fit connector. A combined parameter is proposed to capture the relationship between the investigated geometric properties and the stress concentration factor at the SRG. It is established that the fillet radius could indeed be used to offset the drop in performance associated with increasing the SRG depth while improving the fatigue characteristics of the connector threads. Highlights • A snap-fit connector between sandwich pipes is analysed under installation loads. • Stress relief groove is optimised using a series of FE models. • A relationship between stress concentration and groove geometry is quantified. • Existence of optimal groove length is established. • Ways to offset drop in performance due to increased groove depth are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past 5 years, a substantial research effort aimed at optimising the design of offshore wind turbines has led to significant reductions in the projected cost of developing offshore wind. Optimising the geotechnical design of these structures, through modern analysis techniques such as 3D Finite Element Modelling (FEM), has played a key role in helping to reduce costs. This paper presents a methodology for accurately modelling monopile behaviour using Cone Penetration Test (CPT) data to calibrate the non-linear stress dependent Hardening Soil (HS) model. The methodology is validated by comparing the modelled behaviour to field tests on a range of pile geometries. The paper also demonstrates how the soil-pile reaction response curves can be extracted from the FE model by isolating the stresses on each element of the pile. The contribution of each component to the overall lateral resistance is shown to vary with the pile geometry and is examined using the extracted soil reaction curves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An enriched finite element procedure is proposed for formulating interaction of rock bolts with multiple intersecting/ non-intersecting joints in a rock mass. The numerical method involves analysis of reinforced rock mass having arbitrary joint dip angle, bolt angle and joint-bolt-grout properties in extended finite element (XFEM) platform. Shifted Heaviside and junction enrichment is incorporated for the intersecting jointed element. The paper presents procedures and formulation of stiffness matrices of a bolt crossing multiple joints (BCMJ) which may or may not intersect each other. Hence an element may contain two intersecting joints and a bolt. In that case for a 2D element, each node is enhanced to eleven degrees of freedom, 2 for rock displacements, 2 each for displacements of rock joints, 2 for displacements of the junction of joint intersection and 3 for displacements and rotation of bolt. The procedure also allows traction to be applied to a side of an enhanced element and to be transformed as nodal forces at enhanced degrees of freedom. The paper considers elastoplastic behaviour of joint surface and bolt-grout interface using Mohr-Coulomb criterion. For yielding of bolt rod unified tensile and bending criterion is adopted. The proposed method is implemented using 3-noded triangular elements and can be upgraded for higher order elements. The efficacy of the proposed procedure is evaluated by analyzing behaviour of a bolt reinforced jointed sample under direct shear test. The method is also applied to analyze displacements and stresses around a circular tunnel made in rock mass having multiple intersecting joints at different orientations, reinforced by bolts along the periphery of the tunnel. The results in terms of displacements and stresses are compared with those of unbolted rock mass model. The proposed method shows that effect of an individual joint, bolt and their interaction can be analyzed to understand the stability of excavation under given loading conditions and can be applied in wide variety of applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides several simple but significant formulas that shed light on the connection between the derived transverse stress and some special phenomena, including the premature fracture and largely slant fracture line, occurring during the uniaxial tensile test of sheet metals. Studying two kinds of nearly isotropic materials, theory and simulation analysis found that a non-null transverse stress ( σ 2 ) was derived on the tensile specimen after the onset of necking, which grew from 0 and was always less than half of the corresponding longitudinal principal stress. The derived transverse stress was believed to be a primary factor for hindering the development of the neck, promoting the reduction of the thickness, and determining the orientation of the fracture angle. Furthermore, a special necking phenomenon, i.e., crossed necking, was observed during the transition period of the instability in the test and was studied in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this paper is to enhance the current design practice of stiffened slab foundations on reactive soils through an advanced numerical modelling study. The paper presents sophisticated three-dimensional (3D) hydro-mechanical finite element (FE) numerical models using coupled flow-deformation and stress analyses capable of simulating the complex behaviour of reactive soils and slab foundations. The decisive parameters of the developed FE models are described in detail and the modelling efficacy is verified through three case studies. The ability of the FE models to simulate the moisture diffusion and suction variations in relation to climate changes is validated through two case studies involving field observations. A third case study involving a hypothetical stiffened slab foundation on reactive soil is used for comparison with one of the traditional design methods. The developed FE models are found to perform well and overcome some of the most significant limitations of available traditional methods, leading to more reliable design outputs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Shell substrate with axisymmetric distribution thickness is investigated. • Different curvatures on upper and lower surfaces of substrate are involved. • Axisymmetric distribution film stress resultant is considered in the model. • Analytical formulas between shell deformation and film stress are provided. Axisymmetric film/substrate systems are irreplaceable for many applications, owing to special structural requirements. Stoney's formula is widely used to analyze the thin plate film/substrate system. Many researches have been presented to relax limitations of Stoney's formula, which considered the substrate as a thin plate without any curvature. For the optical lens, the axisymmetric thin shell substrate with different curvatures on its upper and lower surfaces is common due to the need of optical focusing. The film stress of the optical lens needs to be optimized and measured due to its effects on system deformations and optical performances. However, the optical lens cannot be solved by Stoney's formula and its extensions due to the curvatures. In this paper, analytical solutions for the thin shell optical lens with different curvatures on upper and lower substrate surfaces are developed by the thin shell theory with the axisymmetric distribution film stress resultant (FSR) in consideration. The FSR is modeled by thermal stress equivalent method, which allows the calculation for the axisymmetric distribution FSR induced by many factors. The forward and inverse solutions between the FSR and the bending deformation are provided in the form of simple formulas with correction coefficient vectors depending on the global substrate thickness, which enables its feasibility in practical applications. Moreover, the two solutions are verified by the finite element method considering the deformation normal to the substrate surface measured by the interferometer in inverse solution, and small errors are found when the optical lens conforms to the assumptions of the method in this paper. The proposed method is efficient to predict the optical lens' bending deformations, and extends the usage of curvature-based techniques from plates to shells with different curvatures on upper and lower surfaces in the film stress measurement, which makes great significance to the thin film/substrate application. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]