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This work deals with fracture mechanisms in quasi-brittle materials, focusing on the characterization of the Fracture Process Zone (FPZ) of specimens under tensile load. Particularly, paper was used as model material. Experiments were conducted on notched and unnotched specimens. Based on an image analysis of these observations, a stochastic finite element model was developed, using both a nonlocal stress-based approach and a discretized random field modeling of the Young's modulus. The proposed methodology allowed characterizing the damage zone and the size of the FPZ, analyzing the influence of the mesostructure, composed of flocs (fiber aggregates where the basis weight is larger than the average one) and antiflocs (complement of flocs). The area of the active FPZ and the normalized stress drop were linked using a surface energy dissipated in the active FPZ. The stress drop, until limiting value, increased with the width of the active FPZ. Finally, a relationship between the surface energy and the nonlocal internal length was established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this discussion is to establish a connection between the model for sandwich beams presented in Schöftner (Acta Mech 234:2543–2560, 2023) and the so-called Krajcinovic model. Although the two models turn out to be quite similar, Krajcinovic model displays a richer kinematics and has been developed in the literature by following slightly different methodologies with respect to that adopted by Schöftner, the latter having the merit of providing equilibrium equations that allow the computation of the interfacial stresses. We also offer some remarks on the capabilities and accuracies of the models discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is pointed out that the Levinson-Reddy beam theory should not be used as a higher-order model for the core, although it considers cross-sectional warping: this beam model is applicable for zero shear stress conditions at the core-skin-interfaces only, which is usually not the case for sandwich structures. The resulting sandwich beam model in [[2]] is a special solution from the Krajcinovic-Bardella derivation, which allows for richer kinematics because it considers zig-zag kinematics. Author's response to "Discussion on the paper by Schoeftner, J., "A verified analytical sandwich beam model for soft and hard cores: comparison to existing analytical models and finite element calculations", Acta Mech, 234, 2543-2560 (2023)" by Lorenzo Bardella. [Extracted from the article]

The thermal response in paper has been studied by thermography. It was observed that an inhomogeneous deformation pattern arose in the paper samples during tensile testing. In the plastic regime a pattern of warmer streaks could be observed in the samples. On the same samples digital image correlation (DIC) was used to study local strain fields. It was concluded that the heat patterns observed by thermography coincided with the deformation patterns observed by DIC. Because of its fibrous network structure, paper has an inhomogeneous micro-structure, which is called formation. It could be shown that the formation was the cause of the inhomogeneous deformations in paper. Finite element simulations was used to show how papers with different degrees of heterogeneity would deform. Creped papers, where the strain at break has been increased, were analysed. For these paper it was seen that an overlaid compaction of the paper was created during the creping process. During tensile testing this was recovered as the paper network structure was strained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How to raise the bridge barrier with a concrete base height of only 51 cm to SS level of protection is not yet studied. In order to effectively retrofit an existing concrete barrier design to meet new crash testing criteria, the structural dimensions and concrete strength of the existing bridge barrier were investigated, and finite element simulation analysis was carried out, and simulation suggested the existing barrier was insufficient. Based on the structural dimension design principles of bridge barriers, the existing structure of bridge barrier was designed after adding lightweight and high-strength B750HL material crossbeams and posts on top of the concrete base, and the bearing capacity of the bridge barrier was calculated based on the yield line theory. Then, a finite element simulation analysis model was established to study and analyze the blocking, guiding, and cushioning functions of the improved design of bridge barrier. Finally, full-scale-vehicle crash tests were conducted with the SS-level small car, bus, and tractor-van trailer for this bridge barrier design scheme. This paper is the world's first to use B750HL steel as the material for the crossbeam and post of a bridge barrier with a concrete base height of only 51 cm. According to the research results, the B750HL bridge barrier, which was designed based on the calculation of structural dimension design and yield line theory, effectively reduces the increased constant load on the bridge deck caused by the extra crossbeams and posts. At the same time, it can reduce material costs and save engineering costs. After being verified by finite element simulation crash tests and full-scale-vehicle crash tests, the protective capacity of the B750HL bridge barrier was proven to meet the SS-level evaluation requirements of the Standard for Safety Performance Evaluation of Highway Barriers (JTG B05-01-2013). The research findings of this paper is that the finite element simulation crash tests can effectively simulate full-scale-vehicle crash test, and the finite element simulation crash tests is reliable. If the safety performance of the barrier in the finite element simulation crash tests meets the requirements, the probability of passing the full-scale-vehicle crash test is higher. Therefore, a design scheme is proposed for the B750HL bridge barrier to improve hybrid bridge barriers at a height of 51 cm or more based on various design methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the problem that the standard AT2 phase field model cannot effectively model quasi-brittle failure and the existence of length dependence, a new modified phase field model is presented in this paper. By introducing an additional energy, the competing relationship between elastic strain energy and dissipation energy during fracture is changed. A new crack dissipation functional is established using the energy equivalent approach. By introducing a novel rational degradation function, not only can the strength of material failure be effectively utilized, but the model can also reproduce the cohesive softening relationship. A multi-field finite element method is used to discretize the model governing equations, and the equations are solved by an efficient BFGS monolithic algorithm. Finally, some representative numerical examples are used to analyze the effects of parameters in degradation function, length scale and mesh size on the results. The presented numerical simulation results demonstrate length scale and mesh scale independence, and are in good agreement with the experimental results and previous numerical results. At the same time, the numerical results also exhibit cohesive softening properties similar to the current phase field cohesive zone model. These results verify the robustness and effectiveness of the modified phase field model presented in this paper for simulating quasi-brittle failure and brittle fracture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twinning is an important deformation mechanism for magnesium alloys, which has a significant impact on the texture evolution and mechanical properties. Pre-twinning deformation has been considered as an effective method for texture regulation. For each twinning mode, there are six crystallographically equivalent variants. Properly identifying the activated twin and understanding its variant selection criteria are essential for the development of high-performance magnesium alloys. As summarized in this paper, the observed twin variant by the commonly employed electron backscatter diffraction technique can be identified by several approaches, including misorientation analysis, trace analysis and matrix method. Schmid factor analysis was commonly performed to explain the selection of twin variants. To broaden the application scope under complex stress state, a generalized Schmid factor was derived by introducing a stress tensor. The efficiency of Schmid criteria to assess twin variant selection was confirmed to be influenced by the type of the applied stress. To consider the local effect on twin activation, in particular twin-twin transfer and slip-induced twinning, displacement gradient tensor calculation and geometrical compatibility factor analysis have been employed. It was demonstrated that local strain accommodation played a critical role in selecting the variants of cross-boundary twins in magnesium alloys. Assisted with crystal plasticity finite element modeling, the resolved shear stress on twinning and a composite Schmid factor combining the global Schmid factor and geometrical compatibility factor were obtained to better explain the activated twin variants in magnesium alloys. All the above-mentioned Schmid law based criteria and some energy based criteria as well are summarized in this paper. Their applications in evaluating twin variant selection in magnesium alloys are critically reviewed and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The space debris in Earth's orbit has increased drastically due to the failure of spacecraft, rocket bodies, and mission-related objects. These objects in orbit increase the space waste and challenge other flying objects such as spacecraft. A hypervelocity impact of space debris on spacecraft structures can have a range of effects (mechanical damage and functional failure), raising significant concerns about spacecraft safety. This paper reviews the different studies on the performance and development of the Whipple shield against the hypervelocity impact of space debris. The study focuses on the impact mechanism, dynamic Fragmentation of materials, strength models, Equation of state, characteristics, and model of the debris cloud. The strength models (Steinberg–Guinan and Johnson–Cook) and Mie–Gruneisen equation of state, primarily used for hypervelocity impact applications, are thoroughly covered in this study. The study also reported the various experimental and numerical techniques for high and hypervelocity impact. The study concluded that mesh-based, mesh-free, and hybrid finite element methods are reliable for analyzing Whipple shield targets to resist hypervelocity impact. The study also observed that the two-stage light gas gun technique investigates most experimental analyses of hypervelocity impact on the Whipple shield. Alongside reviewing the abovementioned aspects, this paper also underlines the future scope of study in this paradigm. The authors strongly believe that this study provides more insights into the fundamentals and perceptions of the Whipple shield to protect the spacecraft against the hypervelocity impact of space debris. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wear of backup rolls will have a great impact on the quality of the shape of hot rolled strip sheet. In order to overcome the limitations of the finite element method (FEM) in calculating backup roll wear in terms of efficiency and accuracy, this paper proposes a tandem FEM + ML hybrid model to optimise the predictive effect of the finite element method (FEM) on backup roll wear. Firstly, a backup roll wear model based on FEM is established. Secondly, in order to select the optimal machine learning (ML) algorithm as the finite element error compensation model, three types of finite element error compensation models were established based on the random forest (RF) algorithm, the radial basis function (RBF) neural network algorithm, and the particle swarm optimisation support vector machine (PSO-SVM) algorithm. Finally, the three types of finite element error compensation models were connected in series with the FEM model to compare the prediction performance of the three types of FEM + ML models on backup roll wear. The numerical experimental results show that the FEM + PSO-SVM model can better predict the wear of the backup roll, and the PSO-SVM algorithm is the most suitable for building the finite element error compensation model. It is proved that the FEM + ML model proposed in this paper can effectively improve the accuracy and computational efficiency of the FEM model for predicting backup roll wear without adding microelements. In addition, among the hot rolling parameters, the rolling force has the greatest influence on the backup roll wear, and excessive rolling force for a single pass should be avoided to slow down the backup roll wear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper has proposed an efficient analysis method to calculate interface stress intensity factors (SIFs) based on a proportional stress field of a reference problem whose exact solution is available. In the previous proportional methods, the same crack length and the same element size were applied to both reference and unknown problems so that the same FEM error can be produced. Therefore, when analyzing many unknown problems, the conventional method needs to analyze many reference problems at the same time. Since this approach is time-consuming, this paper considers how to calculate many crack lengths efficiently by using only one single reference solution modeling. For this purpose, several general relations of SIFs are derived for the unknown and the reference problems when both crack length and element size are different. To analyze many unknown problems accurately by using a single reference solution modeling, how to choose the most suitable element dimension of the reference model is clarified. The proposed method is especially useful for crack propagation analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a forced vibration analysis of open doubly curved sandwich panels subjected to a moving constant force. In this paper, the effect of softness of the core is considered by implementing a semi-layerwise theory. To this aim, the first-order shear deformation theory is adopted for the face sheets and a higher-order theory which was obtained based on 3D elasticity theory is considered for the core. The presented formulation is general and as the deepness parameter is accounted in the strain–displacement relations, the formulation can be used for a wide range of deep as well as shallow doubly curved shells. To obtain the dynamic response of the system, the finite element method (FEM) along with the Newmark method is used. The proposed element is a higher-order one with nine nodes and each node has fifteen degrees of freedom. The effect of various parameters such as length-to-thickness ratio, in-plane aspect ratio, boundary conditions, lamination scheme, and fiber orientation angles on the dynamic response of the structure is examined. Additionally, the critical velocity of the force at which the structure experiences maximum dynamic deflection is obtained in each case. The results show that as the length-to-thickness ratio of the structure increases, the dynamic magnification factor curve increases with respect to non-dimensional velocity. This study provides insights into the dynamic behavior of doubly curved sandwich panels with soft cores and can aid in the design of such structures for specific applications. The results of this study can also serve as a benchmark for future studies on the forced vibration behavior of doubly curved sandwich panels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces a novel index for static eccentricity (SE) fault diagnosis in synchronous reluctance motors (SynRMs). Although SynRMs with rotor barriers under SE have been modeled in a few papers, any indices for the fault detection have not yet been reported. The proposed index is a specific frequency pattern in the motor current, which can also determine the fault severity. A novel analytical magnetic field investigation is applied to ascertain the proposed index. An accurate nonlinear numerical method is proposed for the motor inductances calculation. The model considers the rotor flux barriers, magnetic saturation, and the stator slots effect. The air gap flux density and the motor current are then achieved. The fast Fourier transform is exploited as a signal-processing tool to calculate motor current spectra. Then, a two-dimension time-stepping finite element method is used to attest of the proposed numerical model. Effectiveness of the proposed index is verified by simulation and experimental tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the thermo-elastoplastic sliding frictional contact and wear problem of a functionally graded material (FGM) coated homogeneous half-plane subjected to a rigid cylindrical punch. The coating has arbitrarily varying material properties including elastic modulus, Poisson's ratio, thermal expansion coefficient, wear coefficient, etc. The graded layer is modeled using a thermo-elastoplastic constitutive model of FGM to evaluate the contact pressure, in-plane stress, and temperature field. A modified Archard model is used to characterize the wear behavior of FGM coating, and the influence of wear on the stress and strain behavior is considered. The constitutive model and wear model are implemented in the finite element method (FEM) to study the thermo-elastoplastic sliding frictional contact and wear behavior of FGM coating. After the validation of the numerical approach, the effects of plasticity, wear, cycle number, gradient index, and gradient form are discussed. Simulation results show that changing the gradient form and gradient index can prevent contact damage and reduce frictional wear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sandwich panels are widely used in many industrial applications due to their high mechanical properties. Their core design is most important parameter in enhancing their mechanical strength. Flexibility in the design of the core structure leads to the achievement of high strength and light structures. In this paper, the results of the optimized geometry in the previous work are used to investigate the capability of the core geometry design with different materials. Therefore, using the different materials, the peak enhancement of strength-to-weight ratio in sandwich panels besides core behavior during pressure testing are investigated. To this end, a new lattice core is brought forth as the first level; then, three types of materials including AL3105, glass, and innegra fiber/epoxy composites are used to fabricate the cores, in order to compare the compressive strength and the peak. The Nano-clay cloisite 20A is also utilized in construction of sandwich panels. The result indicates that the AL3105 lattice core has the highest strength-to-weight ratio, while the innegra fiber composite core has the highest toughness. Applying curve studies and the SEM Fig. 13, it is concluded that the addition of Nano-clay to composites leads to an increase in both of the strain and the core strength. Comparing the results of experimental and finite element modeling (FEM) data (in ABAQUS software) represented that there is a suitable compliance between them. Our results with the positional variation in core design can pave way in designing advanced engineered sandwich structures in aerospace, shipping, automotive industries. Therefore, these structures will have wide applications in the field of light structure, heat and fluid transfer, sound and vibration control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bone segmentation is an important step to perform biomechanical failure load simulations on in-vivo CT data of patients with bone metastasis, as it is a mandatory operation to obtain meshes needed for numerical simulations. Segmentation can be a tedious and time consuming task when done manually, and expert segmentations are subject to intra- and inter-operator variability. Deep learning methods are increasingly employed to automatically carry out image segmentation tasks. These networks usually need to be trained on a large image dataset along with the manual segmentations to maximize generalization to new images, but it is not always possible to have access to a multitude of CT-scans with the associated ground truth. It then becomes necessary to use training techniques to make the best use of the limited available data. In this paper, we propose a dedicated pipeline of preprocessing, deep learning based segmentation method and post-processing for in-vivo human femurs and vertebrae segmentation from CT-scans volumes. We experimented with three U-Net architectures and showed that out-of-the-box models enable automatic and high-quality volume segmentation if carefully trained. We compared the failure load simulation results obtained on femurs and vertebrae using either automatic or manual segmentations and studied the sensitivity of the simulations on small variations of the automatic segmentation. The failure loads obtained using automatic segmentations were comparable to those obtained using manual expert segmentations for all the femurs and vertebrae tested, demonstrating the effectiveness of the automated segmentation approach for failure load simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the contemporary times, electromagnetic forming process (EMF) is one of the most attractive high-velocity forming methods that can be used in order to achieve many industrial applications in sheet metal forming. Taking into account the advantages and limitations of EMF, this technology is highly used in the automotive industry and has increasing potential applications such as Flanging, Bending, and Hemming processes. Hemming is the process that bends the edges of sheets and serves to increase their stiffness and improve their appearance. In this paper, we aim to investigate the simulation of forming Aluminum sheets using electromagnetic hemming process in order to enhance our understanding of the process and its efficiency, particularly in industrial applications used for automotive panel production. Specifically, an electromagnetic bulging device serves as the fundamental setup for our various applications. This study undertakes multiple numerical simulations using the finite element method to explore the impact of process parameters on the deformed sheet. Additionally, we investigate the temperature distribution across the sheet during hemming. The numerical results demonstrate strong agreement with experimental data and existing research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extended multiscale finite element method (EMsFEM) shows great efficiency and accuracy for analyzing the mechanical behavior of heterogeneous materials, especially for non-periodic multiscale materials. The conventional EMsFEM requires solving boundary value problems repeatedly on each coarse-scale element to construct the numerical base functions related to the material parameters of fine-scale element, which constitutes the main part of computational resources. This paper presents a physics-informed neural network (PINN) enhanced EMsFEM to further improve the efficiency of multiscale mechanical analysis. Since the boundary value problems are based on the same solution domain and boundary conditions, a PINN is elaborately designed to solve them described by mechanical equations. The input parameters of PINN contain the material parameters of the fine-scale elements inside the coarse-scale element; therefore, the PINN can quickly map the heterogeneous material properties to the displacements inside the coarse-scale element and greatly improve the construction efficiency of the numerical base functions. To enhance the computational accuracy, the domain decomposition technique is applied to characterize the heterogeneity of the elements, and an unbiased construction method is developed to obtain the numerical base functions that simultaneously ensure the computational consistency and normalization condition. In addition, to further improve the computational efficiency, the construction process of numerical base functions is simplified according to the approximately ergodic property of the network for randomly physical fields. Several representative numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the high efficiency and accuracy of the proposed PINN-enhanced EMsFEM. The method is of high universality since the PINN does not need to be retrained as the geometry of the entire domain and loading of the problem change, the network structure is only related to the length ratio of the coarse- and fine-scale elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a new type of auxetic honeycomb is designed, which introduces arc walls into the concave hexagonal honeycomb cells and has higher specific energy absorption. The deformation modes and energy absorption of the designed honeycomb are analyzed by using three methods including finite element, compression experiment and machine learning methods. A fully connected two-hidden layer backpropagation deep neural network (BP-DNN) is developed to predict the energy absorptions of the honeycomb with different geometric parameters. It is found that the error of the validation set is low, and the average correlation coefficient of the validation set is 99.2%, which indicates that the neural network can obtain good predictions. The sensitivity analysis of the input parameters shows that the thickness t has the highest sensitivity, and the ratio of the length of the straight wall to the height has the lowest sensitivity to the energy. In addition, the neural network developed can also predict the mechanical properties of the honeycombs outside the parameter range of the training set and the results are consistent with that of the sensitivity analysis. The DNN provides a fast and accurate method for the energy absorption of honeycombs, which is expected to speed up the optimization and design process of honeycomb structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a mathematical formulation of a transient problem for an anisotropic plate on an elastic-inertial foundation. The plate features local fixations of various types, located along its perimeter. The plate's contour can be arbitrary. It is subjected to a load with a time-varying amplitude. An original method for solving the posed problem has been developed and implemented. By applying integral transformations, a fundamental solution for an unlimited anisotropic plate has been constructed. This solution is used to formulate resolving integral representations for investigating the transient dynamics of the plate with local supports. Integral representations for transient displacements, moments, and rotation angles of the plate sections have been obtained using the method of compensating loads. The time-dependent compensating loads are determined from the solution of a system of Volterra integral equations of the first kind. By employing the quadrature method at each time step, the problem of compensating loads is reduced to solving a system of linear algebraic equations. A comparison of the obtained results with solutions derived using the finite element method is conducted. Graphical results of the calculations and an evaluation of the convergence of the proposed method are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Architectural heritage health assessment is the basis of scientific repair and maintenance. However, existing methods do not adequately take into account the fuzziness, randomness and uncertainties unique to architectural heritage assessment. In this paper, a new evaluation model of VM-NCM is constructed by combining variable weight theory and normal cloud model theory. The model enables the combination of qualitative ratings and quantitative calculation, deals with the fuzziness in the assessment process, and resolves the randomness and reflects the uncertainty to a certain extent. Based on constructing the index system combining qualitative and quantitative indexes, the structural index values are acquired by the synergistic coupling of the fine laser point cloud model and finite element structural analysis model. The acquisition of surface index values is completed by the hyperspectral intelligent detection technology of surface materials and diseases. These reduce the generation of ambiguous information in the index detection process. An evaluation study is conducted using the Yingxian wooden pagoda in China as an example. The results show that this method takes into account the fuzziness and randomness in the evaluation process, and obtains more scientific and reliable evaluation results, which provides a research paradigm for assessing the architectural heritage health status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elastic deformation in thin-walled parts during machining is affected by the coupling of force and flexibility. Obtaining flexibility information along machining tool paths is crucial for online monitoring of this deformation. However, the current finite element method (FEM) is limited by mesh nodes, hampering its ability to accurately determine flexibility along tool paths. To overcome this limitation, this paper proposes a method that combines FEM with the surrogate model to predict flexibility accurately at any position on thin-walled parts' surfaces. The surrogate model is the hybrid model K-K-CNN based on two K-nearest neighbor (KNN-KNN) algorithms and a convolutional neural network (CNN) model. Initially, an initial dataset containing positions and flexibility of mesh nodes is generated automatically through secondary development of ABAQUS. Then, the K-K-CNN hybrid model is introduced and trained on this dataset to calculate flexibility accurately at any position on the surface of thin-walled parts. The hybrid model employs a CNN to address the nonlinear spatial correlation issue in flexibility prediction. Moreover, the hybrid model incorporates two KNN algorithms to alleviate the overfitting challenge stemming from the straightforward input features and extensive dataset size. In comparison to traditional deep learning models, the K-K-CNN hybrid model presents notable benefits in predicting flexibility for complex thin-walled parts at any given position, which affirms its robustness and accuracy. The proposed prediction method for flexibility can provide high-quality data-driven information for monitoring the elastic deformation of thin-walled parts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In rural areas, landslides can bury houses and result in major disasters in affected areas, which can greatly hinder local economic development and construction. When landslides occur, sliding debris can result in large impact forces, causing varying degrees of damage to building structures. Given the great harm caused by landslides, this paper studies the prediction of dynamic response characteristics of building structures under the impact of the Zhengjiamo landslide. The engineering geological background of the Zhengjiamo landslide is analyzed in detail via field investigations. Then, a numerical method is presented to simulate the runout process of the sliding debris, and the runout process and final deposition area are studied. A node-to-surface contact algorithm is adopted to transfer the displacements and contact forces between the sliding debris and the building. The building structure is simulated via the finite element method (FEM). The sliding debris is simulated via the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method. An element erosion algorithm is adopted to simulate the destruction process. The SPH-FEM fluid–structure coupling method is implemented to simulate the landslide dynamic disaster process (the impact behavior for the building). The destruction process is considered in the interactions between the sliding debris and the building on the three-dimensional terrain. The landslide motion during each stage is analyzed, including the sliding, energy dissipation, impact, and damage to the building structure. The maximum runout of the landslide is about 280 m. The maximum stress of the impact on the building is 2 × 106 Pa. The impact speed of the sliding body is generally 16.5–24.07 m/s. On the basis of this, the disaster background, disaster status, and prediction of the landslide disaster effect are studied to provide new insights into landslide disaster prevention and reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminum honeycomb sandwich structure with panels made of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) are widely used in aerospace and other fields. Simulation of the eddy current (EC) testing of the sandwich structure using the finite element (FE) method is challenging as the traditional FE method has difficulties in mesh division and the solution of the algebraic equations. This paper proposes to use the domain decomposition FE method to solve such problems. The top CFRP panel, the aluminum honeycomb core, and the bottom CFRP panel of the sandwich structure and the ferrite core of the coil are placed in different subdomains and the subdomains are meshed independently. This method simplifies the mesh generation and does not require regenerating the meshes when simulating the scanning testing with the ferrite-core coil. In this way, the efficiency of simulation is greatly improved. The EC distributions in the sandwich structure are computed and the influence of defect on EC distribution is analyzed. The C scans of the sandwich structures are simulated. The images of the EC responses to the defects, such as wall fracture, node disconnection, and core wrinkle, are obtained. The simulation results are validated by experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared to the first-order shear deformation theory and other classical shell theories, the higher-order shear theory is deemed more accurate due to its superior ability to capture transverse shear effects, especially vital for precision in modeling thicker, doubly curved shell panels. Additionally, the third-order shear deformation theory (TSDT) is acknowledged for its computational efficiency compared to the 3D solution striking a balance between result precision and computational efficiency. This paper explores the static bending and free vibration analysis of a porous bi-directional functionally graded doubly curved sandwich shell. For the first time, a combination of TSDT theory with the p-version finite element method is applied, demonstrated for the analysis of bi-directional functionally graded doubly curved sandwich shell. In the initial phase, the mathematical formulation has been meticulously derived. Four models of sandwich FGM distributions, taking into account the porosity effect and comprising a blend of two ceramic materials and a metallic material, have been thoroughly explored. Subsequently, the study evaluates the effectiveness and accuracy of the formulation implemented in FORTRAN CODE through benchmark results, showcasing its adaptability for different shell panel geometries by adjusting the values of the radius of curvature. The latter part of the research delves into new findings related to bi-directional functionally graded porous sandwich FGM shell panels, investigating the effects of gradient indexes and porosity distribution on their behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micrometeoroids and Orbital Debris (MMOD) travelling at extremely high velocities in space are a threat to the structural integrity of spacecrafts in the Low Earth Orbit. Whipple shield, consisting of a Bumper and a Rear Wall, with a stand-off distance in between, is widely used to protect spacecrafts from hypervelocity MMOD impacts. In this paper, we present numerical simulations of a set of well-known hypervelocity impact (HVI) experiments on aluminium-based Whipple shields reported in the literature. These simulations are conducted using the three-dimensional Lagrangian Finite Element Method in ABAQUS/Explicit software. In six out of the seven tests reported in the literature, the Whipple shield failed due to a detached spall from the back surface of the Rear Wall, while in the seventh test, the spall was not detached. The present work successfully replicates and favourably compares the failure mechanisms observed in these Whipple shields to the corresponding experimental results. Various critical aspects of the Whipple shield's failure mechanics and mechanisms are investigated. These include impact pressure on the projectile, Bumper and Rear Wall, Bumper hole diameter, temperature rise, and residual velocity of debris particles and spalled fragments. The predicted ballistic limit of the Whipple shield falls between 2.54 mm and 3.18 mm of Rear Wall thickness in excellent agreement with the experimental results reported in the literature. The present work provides valuable insights into Whipple shield performance. The developed methodology could be employed to optimize shield design through predictive simulations, thereby improving spacecraft protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The permanent magnet claw pole machine (PMCPM) with soft magnetic composite (SMC) cores has shown better performance than the traditional transverse flux machine, and its performance can be improved by developing its stator with hybrid silicon sheet and SMC cores, and this kind of PMCPM is named as HPMCPM. Due to its complex 3D magnetic structure, analyzing its performance by using the traditional finite element method (FEM) is time-consuming. To overcome this constraint, this paper proposes a magneto-electric-thermal coupling network (METCN) model with bidirectional data transmission to calculate the electromagnetic performance and temperature distribution and the calculation results are verified by the FEM method and experimental measurement results. Compared with the 3D FEM, the proposed METCN method has the advantage of fast calculation speed and similar accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a design scheme for a wireless power transfer (WPT) system based on multi-relay coils to solve the power supply demand of 500 kV transmission line online monitoring equipment. The relationship between the operating frequency and the coil loss is established to analyze the influence of the number of relay coils and the coil distance on the transmission performance. The particle swarm optimization model is established with transmission efficiency as the optimization objective. The distribution spacing between coils, the working frequency, and the number of coils are optimized. Based on the equidistant arrangement of relay coils, an optimization scheme of non-equidistant arrangement is proposed. Under the condition of the same number of relay coils, the transmission efficiency of the system is increased by 20.56% and has been verified by experiments. In addition, finite element analysis software has simulated the surrounding high-voltage field strength of the WPT system added to the insulators. The results show that the insulators still meet the insulation standards. The simulation and experimental results show that the proposed scheme can effectively meet the power demand of high-voltage line monitoring equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a new design for line-start operation of synchronous reluctance motors. In the past years, synchronous reluctance motors have been studied by many researchers. Due to high efficiency, they have gained increasing interest because in the synchronous operation, there is limited losses in the rotor. On the other hand, line-start operation of the synchronous reluctance motors is an important challenge that can make this type of the motors popular in many applications. However, line-start operation techniques should not considerably affect the steady-state characteristics of the motor. In the proposed design, the arrangement, size and shape of the rotor conductor bars are designed based on the rotor magnetic circuit difference between induction and reluctance synchronous motors. Complete assessment of the motor parameters are examined using finite element analysis. The proposed structure improves the starting characteristics of the motor. Moreover, power factor of the proposed motor is slightly increased in comparison to that of conventional line-start synchronous reluctance motors. The results obviously show effectiveness of the proposed line-start operation strategy for the synchronous reluctance motors. Finally, experimental verification are also included to confirm the finite element analysis results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, three typical permanent magnet machines for All-Electric aircraft propulsion are designed, optimized and compared. Firstly, the necessary performances are determined based on the requirements of high power/torque density and an aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of 1500 kg. The initial structures of interior permanent magnet (IPM) synchronous machine, vernier permanent magnet (VPM) machine and flux-switching permanent magnet (FSPM) machine are designed with identical stator outer radius and rotor shaft length. Then, parametric sensitivity analysis and multi-objective particle swarm are combined as an optimization methodology to optimize these machines. Based on the finite element analysis, the electromagnetic performances such as no-load airgap flux density harmonic spectrum, cogging torque, average output torque, losses, efficiency and power factor, etc., are generally compared and analyzed. Subsequently, the discussions are carried out, where the strength and weakness of these three machines are concluded and the future prospects are suggested. Finally, it is concluded that if effective measures are implemented to reduce the permanent magnet eddy current loss and improve the power factor, the VPM machine would be the most suitable choice among these machines for All-Electric aircraft propulsion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Material Point Method (MPM) is an established and powerful numerical method particularly useful for simulating large-scale, rapid soil deformations. Therefore, it is often used for the numerical investigation of mass movement hazards such as landslides, debris flows, or avalanches. It combines the benefits of both mesh-free and mesh-based continuum-based discretization techniques by discretizing the physical domain with Lagrangian moving particles carrying the history-dependent variables while the governing equations are solved at the Eulerian background grid, which brings many similarities with commonly used finite element methods. However, due to this hybrid nature, the material boundaries do not usually coincide with the nodes of the computational grid, which complicates the imposition of boundary conditions. Furthermore, the position of the boundary may change at each time step and, moreover, may be defined at arbitrary locations within the computational grid that do not necessarily coincide with the body contour, leading to different interactions between the material and the boundary. To cope with these challenges, this paper presents a novel element-wise formulation to weakly impose non-conforming Dirichlet conditions using Lagrange multipliers. The proposed formulation introduces a constant Lagrange multiplier approximation within the constrained elements in combination with a methodology to eliminate superfluous constraints. Therefore, in combination with simple element-wise interpolation functions classically utilized in MPM (and FEM) to approximate the unknown field, a suitable Lagrange multiplier discretization is obtained. In this way, we obtain a robust, efficient, and user-friendly boundary imposition method for immersed methods specified herein for implicit MPM. Furthermore, the extension to frictionless slip conditions is derived. The proposed methodologies are assessed by comparing the numerical results with both analytical and experimental data to demonstrate their accuracy and wide range of applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate estimation of rotational frequency response functions (FRFs) is an essential element of successful structural coupling. It is well known that the experimental estimation of structural excitations is very difficult with current technology. This paper proposes a scheme to improve the performance of the frequency-based substructuring (FBS) method by estimating unmeasured FRFs, including those corresponding to rotational degrees of freedom, from a set of experimentally determined translational FRFs. More specifically, the modal parameters extracted by modal analysis (EMA) from the experimentally determined FRFs are used for model updating, modal expansion and FRF synthesis. For this purpose, an approximate modelling approach is proposed, where a simplified and approximate finite element model (ASFE) is developed and updated to accurately reproduce the experimental responses. A modal expansion basis is then constructed from the ASFE to expand the mode shapes using the system equivalent reduction and expansion process (SEREP). FRF synthesis is then used to derive unmeasured translational and rotational FRFs. The synthesised FRFs within the frequency range of interest agree well with the experimental FRFs. The synthesised full FRF matrix is then used with the FBS method to derive the response model for the coupled structure in a bottom-up modelling approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with the determination of numerical and experimental buckling loads for circular plates. In the study, plates made of isotropic material and laminated composites were taken into consideration. For the experimental part of the study, a buckling apparatus for circular plates (BACIP) was designed and manufactured to apply radial compression on plates simply supported along the outer edge, which was the most important aspect of the study. Experimental buckling loads were determined by connecting this apparatus to a tension machine. ANSYS software based on the Finite Element Method (FEM) and the analytical buckling load formula found in textbooks were also used for the determination of the numerical and analytical buckling loads. The effects of parameters such as plate thickness, number of layers, cutout sizes, and so on on critical buckling loads were investigated within the scope of the work. Comparisons of analytical, theoretical and experimental buckling loads were presented in both graphical and tabular form. The results of the experimental and theoretical buckling were found to be comparatively compatible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fractional Feynman–Kac equation governs the functional distribution of the trajectories of anomalous diffusion. The non-commutativity of the integral fractional Laplacian and time-space coupled fractional substantial derivative, i.e., A s 0 ∂ t 1 - α , x ≠ 0 ∂ t 1 - α , x A s , brings about huge challenges on the regularity and spatial error estimates for the forward fractional Feynman–Kac equation. In this paper, we first use the corresponding resolvent estimate obtained by the bootstrapping arguments and the generalized Hölder-type inequalities in Sobolev space to build the regularity of the solution, and then the fully discrete scheme constructed by convolution quadrature and finite element methods is developed. Also, the complete error analyses in time and space directions are respectively presented, which are consistent with the provided numerical experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In electron optics, calculation of the electric field plays a major role in all computations and simulations. Accurate field calculation methods such as the finite element method (FEM), boundary element method and finite difference method, have been used for years. However, such methods are computationally very expensive and make the computer simulation challenging or even infeasible when trying to apply automated design of electrostatic lens systems with many free parameters. Hence, for years, electron optics scientists have been searching for a fast and accurate method of field calculation to tackle the aforementioned problem in the design and optimization of electrostatic electron lens systems. This paper presents a novel method for fast electric field calculation in electrostatic electron lens systems with reasonably high accuracy to enable the electron-optical designers to design and optimize an electrostatic lens system with many free parameters in a reasonably short time. The essence of the method is to express the off-axis potential in an axially symmetrical coordinate system in terms of derivatives of the axial potential up to the fourth order, and equate this to the potential of the electrode at that axial position. Doing this for a limited number of axial positions, we get a set of equations that can be solved to obtain the axial potential, necessary for calculating the lens properties. We name this method the fourth-order electrode method because we take the axial derivatives up to the fourth order. To solve the equations, a quintic spline approximation of the axial potential is calculated by solving three sets of linear equations simultaneously. The sets of equations are extracted from the Laplace equation and the fundamental equations that describe a quintic spline. The accuracy and speed of this method is compared with other field calculation methods, such as the FEM and second order electrode method (SOEM). The new field calculation method is implemented in design/optimization of electrostatic lens systems by using a genetic algorithm based optimization program for electrostatic lens systems developed by the authors. The effectiveness of this new field calculation method in optimizing optical parameters of electrostatic lens systems is compared with FEM and SOEM and the results are presented. It should be noted that the formulation is derived for general axis symmetrical electrostatic electron lens systems, however the examples shown in this paper are with cylindrical electrodes due to the simplicity of the implementation in the software. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a computer-based methodology to support the design for additive manufacturing of metal components. Metal additive manufacturing, and in particular powder bed fusion systems, are playing a prominent role in the industry 4.0 scenario. The state of the art concerning design methods and tools to support design for additive manufacturing is reviewed by the authors. The key phases of product design and process design to achieve lightweight functional designs and reliable processes are deepened, and the computer-aided technologies to support the approaches implementation are described. Indeed, the state of the art design for additive manufacturing general workflow can be enriched by holistic approaches, use of numerical simulation, and integration and automation between the required tasks. The paper provides a methodology based on the systematic use of numerical simulation to achieve the optimization of both products and associated processes. To take advantage of the holistic perspective, the approach relies on the use of integrated product-process design platforms, allowing to streamline the digital process chain. Product design is based on the systematic integration of topology optimization and automatized tools for concept development and selection and subsequent product simulation driven design refinement. Process design is based on a systematic use of process simulation to prevent manufacturing flaws related to the high thermal gradients of metal processes and minimize residual stress and deformations. This is achieved by working on both the build cycles layouts and the 3D models' distortion compensation. An automotive use case of product and process design performed through the proposed simulation-driven integrated approach is provided to assess the actual method suitability for effective re-designs of additive manufacturing high-performance metal products. The bridged gaps are systematically outlined, and further developments are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal mining machine drums are prone to damage and malfunction under extremely complex working conditions, which seriously affects the efficiency and safety of coal production. In this paper, based on the theory of coal rock cutting and virtual simulation technology, finite element models of drum cutting coal rock were established and then verified by physical experiments. Through simulation analysis, the dynamic reliability of the drum was studied from three aspects: load, stress and wear, and a mathematical model of drum load was established with respect to the traction speed and drum rotation speed; based on the orthogonal test, the optimal working parameters to improve the wear resistance of the drum were derived. The results of the study found that when the traction speed increases, the load on the drum increases, and when the drum rotation speed increases, the load on the drum decreases; when the traction speed is increased from 2 to 6 m/min, the stress on the pick body under different rotation speeds increases to different degrees, with an average increase rate of 27.394%; when the drum rotation speed is 90 r/min, the traction speed is 3 m/min, and the coal loading mode is projectile loading, the wear depth of the picks and spiral blades is relatively small. The research method and results of this paper can provide a reference for the selection of the drum working parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pore defects are common defects in composites and can seriously affect the mechanical properties of composites. The present paper not only considers the pore defects, but also considers the influence of interface defects on the effective stiffness of 3D braided composites. A damage model is developed to predict the damage propagation of 3D braided composites considering pore defects. A multiscale simulation method using representative volume elements (RVE) combined with a micromechanical method and the finite element method is developed in this paper to meet the multiscale and periodic characteristics of 3D braided composites. The constituents at the microscale are composed of matrix, interface, fiber and pores, and the constituents at the mesoscale are composed of matrix, yarns and pores. The yarn at the microscale is homogenized by means of Mori–Tanaka model and extended double-inclusion model. The prediction and analysis methods of the existing models are compared with the experimental results to prove the effectiveness of the method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces a novel approach for characterizing and estimating the size of incipient cracks, employing Jensen–Shannon divergence and Wasserstein distance for precise measurement. A novel signal correction method is proposed and coupled with Finite Element Modeling can extend the experimental data. The method is verified to accurately quantify incipient cracks with areas as small as 0.02 mm 2 , with a maximum relative error of 3.5% in surface estimation, and accurately discern variations in crack sizes. This allows for more accurate predictions of crack dimensions crucial for structural health monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An SHS-CFSHS X-joint is fabricated by welding two square hollow section (SHS) braces to a concrete-filled square hollow section (CFSHS) chord. In this paper, the stress concentration factors (SCFs) of SHS-CFSHS X-joints are investigated through experimental tests and finite element analysis (FEA), with the hot spot stress method serving as the analytical approach. Eight specimens are designed and manufactured, with FE models built in software ANSYS. These FE models are validated against the test results. The specimens are tested under brace axial tension to determine the SCFs of the X-joints. It shows that the concrete filled in the chord effectively reduces the SCFs of the X-joints. To further explore various load conditions and the influence of the parameters, FEA is carried out and a total of 64 FE models are built. Based on the FEA results, multiple regression analysis is used to obtain the SCF formulae of SHS-CFSHS X-joints under axial tension load and in-plane bending load in the brace, respectively. Comparison and analysis of the SCF results obtained from experimental tests, the proposed formulae, and FE simulations reveal that the formulae presented in this study are both conservative and suitable for predicting SCFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the static and dynamic analysis of the higher-order shear deformation nanobeam is investigated within the framework of the two-phase local/nonlocal integral model, in which, the stress is described as the integral convolution form between the strain field and a decay kernel function to address the long-range force interactions in the domain. Based on the principle of minimum potential energy, the finite element formulation of the nonlocal higher-order shear deformation theory nanobeams is derived in a general sense through finite element method (FEM). The explicit expressions of the stiffness, geometric stiffness and mass stiffness matrix of the higher-order shear deformation theory nanobeams are derived directly. The efficiency and accuracy of the developed finite element model of higher-order shear deformation nanobeam are validated by conducting a comparation with the existing analysis results in the researches. Furthermore, under different loading and supported conditions, the effect of nonlocal parameter, nonlocal phase parameter and slenderness ratio on the bending, buckling and free vibration responses of higher-order shear deformation theory nanobeams is investigated in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of the grain boundary (GB) misorientation on plastic deformation of Inconel 718 (IN718) alloy was investigated in this paper, using in-situ tensile experiment at 650 °C in combination with crystal plasticity finite element method (CPFEM). The results indicate that dislocations tend to accumulate at GBs to form stress concentration, but the degree of stress concentration does not necessarily increase with the increase of the GB misorientation. It is attributed to the slip transfer at the GBs, determined by the angle between the slip systems of the two adjacent grains. There is a significant uncertainty in the slip transfer for GB misorientation larger than 10°. However, the m α β ′ SF α + SF β criterion, which is a function of the Luster and Morris m α β ′ combining the Schmid factors of the two slip systems with the GB misorientation, has some statistical separation significance. Slip transfer tends to appear at GB misorientation less than 30° and m α β ′ SF α + SF β > 0.78 . This study clarifies the mechanism of the influence of GB misorientation on IN718 microplastic deformation and provides a new strategy to study the deformation behavior of superalloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a new computational method for forward uncertainty quantification (UQ) analyses on large-scale structural systems in the presence of arbitrary and dependent random inputs. The method consists of a generalized polynomial chaos expansion (GPCE) for statistical moment and reliability analyses associated with the stochastic output and a static reanalysis method to generate the input-output data set. In the reanalysis, we employ substructuring for a structure to isolate its local regions that vary due to random inputs. This allows for avoiding repeated computations of invariant substructures while generating the input-output data set. Combining substructuring with static condensation further improves the computational efficiency of the reanalysis without losing accuracy. Consequently, the GPCE with the static reanalysis method can achieve significant computational saving, thus mitigating the curse of dimensionality to some degree for UQ under high-dimensional inputs. The numerical results obtained from a simple structure indicate that the proposed method for UQ produces accurate solutions more efficiently than the GPCE using full finite element analyses (FEAs). We also demonstrate the efficiency and scalability of the proposed method by executing UQ for a large-scale wing-box structure under ten-dimensional (all-dependent) random inputs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reliable prediction of the grinding force is essential for improving the grinding efficiency and service life of the grinding head. To better optimize and control the grinding process of the grinding head, this paper proposes a grinding force prediction method of the grinding head that combines surface measurement, statistical analysis, and finite element method (FEM). Firstly, a grinding head surface measurement system is constructed according to the principle of focused imaging. The distribution model of abrasive grains in terms of size, spacing, and protruding height has been established by measuring and counting the characteristics of abrasive grains on the surface of a real grinding head. Then, the undeformed chip thicknesses when the abrasive grains are cut are analyzed in depth, the material model of abrasive grains and workpiece is established, and the cutting process of abrasive grains with different characteristics on the surface of the grinding head is analyzed by finite element simulation. A single abrasive grain grinding force model is obtained. Finally, the grinding force prediction of the grinding head was realized by combining finite element simulation with grinding kinematics analysis. In addition, grinding experiments with different grinding parameters were conducted to verify the grinding force prediction model. The results show that the predicted grinding force of the grinding head is in good agreement with the experimental values. The average error of tangential grinding force is 7.42%, and the average error of normal grinding force is 9.77%. This indicates that the grinding force prediction method has good accuracy and reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper investigates the characteristics of the laser beam percussion micro-drilling (LBPMD) process in aerospace nickel-based superalloy Hastelloy X using microsecond pulses. The quality of the drilled hole is crucial in laser beam micromachining, and selecting appropriate process parameters significantly impacts the hole's quality. The objective is to achieve predefined hole dimensions with minimal taper angles. Additionally, the study focuses on the alteration of pulse width, which is a combination of laser pulse frequency and duty cycle. Laser power (P), duty cycle % (D), focal plane position (FPP), and laser frequency (f) are considered input parameters, while geometric features such as inlet and outlet diameters, hole taper angle, and inlet circularity are examined as process responses. ANOVA is employed to establish significant relationships between process parameters and response variations based on experimental tests. Creating a precise simulation model that accurately accounts for the moving boundary of the target material's receding surface is a crucial and challenging task in formulating the laser heat conduction problem. It is necessary to simultaneously capture the material's dynamic front movement and update the boundary conditions of the laser source. To model the micro-drilled hole with LBPMD, the UMESHMOTION and DFLUX subroutines, along with the arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) adaptive remesh algorithm in the Abaqus™ software, are utilized. Notably, no previous numerical study has predicted the geometry of micro-drilled holes using this technique. The proposed procedure is validated through the predictions of inlet and outlet hole diameters. Special emphasis is placed on the validation of models. Consequently, the numerical model and statistical model are compared as well as the need to define model applicability. The study demonstrates that all input parameters significantly influence the inlet hole diameter, while the pulse width notably affects the taper angle and circularity. The interaction between high laser frequency and low duty cycle results in reduced pulse duration. Multi-objective optimization is performed to determine the optimal process parameter settings for desired quality characteristics, considering minimum hole taper angle, precise inlet diameter, and maximum inlet circularity of the hole as optimization criteria. The findings show that with the optimized predicted results obtained from the optimal input variables, a composite desirability of 92% can be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vibration isolation is crucial for scientific instruments that require precise measurements and are highly sensitive to disturbances, especially in microgravity environments, such as ultracold atom interferometry and electrostatic space accelerometers. To minimize micro-oscillations at low frequencies, attention has been drawn toward isolators with quasi-zero stiffness (QZS) and nonlinear properties. Specifically, structures such as curved beams or thin-walled domes that exhibit the potential for elastic buckling have emerged as promising candidates for creating QZS isolators, in contrast to conventional approaches that rely on combining springs with positive and negative stiffness in a larger occupied volume. The idea of mechanical metamaterials, featuring programmable properties, presents a novel approach to achieving QZS characteristics. This paper introduces a new mechanical metamaterial design that arranges QZS units in a Cartesian pattern using curved beams and establishes the dynamic model under base excitation. Initially, the QZS unit, based on a Euler beam with a cosine configuration, is modeled and the analytical force–displacement relationship is constructed by controlling buckling only at low-order modes. The dynamic response of a single QZS unit is analyzed using the harmonic balance method. Subsequently, periodic metastructures with both horizontal and vertical patterns are created and the geometric parameters and overall response of the QZS metamaterials are evaluated. The impact of structural damping, excitation amplitude, and prescribed displacement on the transmission characteristics is also examined. Validation of the analytical results is carried out using the finite element method. In conclusion, this work presents a novel approach to designing QZS vibration isolators that utilize elastic buckling structures for achieving low-frequency isolation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we investigate the damped nonlinear vibration of cracked functionally graded (FG) graphene platelets (GPLs)-reinforced composite (FG-GPLRC) dielectric beam. The effective material properties of the composites are evaluated by effective medium theory (EMT) and rule of mixture. Governing equations incorporating damping and dielectric properties are derived from an energy method with the framework of Timoshenko beam theory and nonlinear von Kármán strain–displacement relationship. Stress intensity factor (SIF) of cracked FG-GPLRC beam at the crack tip is obtained via finite element method (FEM). Differential quadrature (DQ) and direct iterated methods are utilized to discretize and solve the nonlinear system. Accuracy and convergence of the model and the solution are verified. An extensive numerical study is performed to examine the effects of crack location and depth, damping and attributes of GPL and the applied electric field on the nonlinear vibration behavior of the cracked FG-GPLRC beam. It is found that the frequency ratios of cracked FG-GPLRC beams are more sensitive to the applied electric field when the crack with larger depth is located close to the mid-span. The cracked FG-GPLRC beams with FG distribution profiles exhibit better stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Centrifugal force is one of the factors that cannot be ignored in high-speed shaft systems. The multiple corrugated diaphragm (MCD) Coupling is suitable for high-power and high-speed situations; hence, it is crucial to investigate the stress and deformation of the wave disc under centrifugal load. This paper first uses the rotating shell thin film model to derive the circumferential stress and deformation displacement of the MCD under centrifugal load. Then, the finite element method is used to verify the results obtained from the analytical solution. The results show the feasibility of using the rotating shell thin film model for centrifugal load analysis of the MCD, providing a new approach for the theoretical analysis of the MCD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to investigate the dynamic response characteristics of subway station under earthquakes. To this end, seismic waves are transformed into equivalent nodal loads on viscoelastic artificial boundaries using theories and methods of wave motion. The calculation formulas for equivalent nodal loads of SV waves incident at any angle are established, and ANSYS' APDL program compiles to automatically generate the viscoelastic artificial boundary and input the seismic loads. A finite element model of soil-subway station interaction was established, and the seismic response characteristics of a two-story three-span subway station under different incidence angles of SV waves were investigated using the above seismic input method. The results indicate that the incidence angle of seismic waves has a significant impact on the seismic response of subway station. Inclined incidence of seismic waves causes non-uniform loading and deformation of the subway station. Specifically, a small angle leads to predominantly transverse shear deformation, while a large angle causes mainly vertical shear deformation. The inclined incidence of seismic waves significantly increases the vertical acceleration of the subway station, with the effect becoming more pronounced as the angle increases. Additionally, special attention should be given to the joints between the structural slab and the side wall, slab and center column, as well as the two ends of the center column as they are vulnerable areas during earthquakes and require careful consideration in seismic design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The working temperature of any 3D printer has a critical effect on process feasibility as well as the final quality of the product. In this respect, thermal analysis can provide a comprehensive understanding of operation parameters and optimization potential. This most certainly also is the case for the new layer-wise additive manufacturing system, selective thermoplastic electrophotographic process (STEP). In the present paper, we propose a 3D part-scale finite element thermal model for multi-materials which is developed in the commercial software Abaqus/CAE 2021. The reduced-order method, flash heating (FH), is adopted in the model to obtain good accuracy with acceptable simulation time. A specific analysis of the trade-offs between accuracy and CPU-time is carried out by varying the amount of lumping in the meta-layers in the FH method. Furthermore, we conduct an in-house experiment in which we use IR cameras for measuring temperatures during manufacturing, and the results are applied for model validation and calibration. We specifically compare measured and numerically predicted average surface temperatures when steady state is obtained after printing of each layer. Here we obtain a mean error up to 6% depending on the thickness of the meta-layers. Moreover, parametric studies show that pulse duration and heater intensity significantly influence both the surface and bulk temperature profiles, and this provides us with an increased understanding of the thermal behavior of the recently developed STEP process which in turn could make way for further process optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces an innovative Magnetic Switch (MFS) designed to control and alter magnetic flux within energy system components, offering an alternative to conventional power electronic devices. The MFS comprises a low-current control coil, a control core, and a high-density magnetic flux-carrying main core combined with a main coil energy system. In this novel magnetic configuration, when a low-power current excites the control coil, the magnetic flux in the main core (supplied by the main coil) decreases to nearly zero. Conversely, when the control coil disconnects from the power source, the magnetic flux within the main core attains its maximum value. This operation positions the MFS as a groundbreaking concept within magnetic-based energy systems, akin to transistors in power electronics. The main outcomes of the MFS concept are that it can vary the magnetic flux of the main core in the large range, and it is a fast magnetic switch with a simple and low power loss control circuit and an independent control coil from the main coil. Analytical studies thoroughly elucidate the performance and advantages of this proposed magnetic switch, substantiated by Finite Element Method simulations and experimental prototype outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]