Search results for " finite element method."

Fast MATLAB assembly of FEM matrices in 2D and 3D: Edge elements

2014

We propose an effective and flexible way to assemble finite element stiffness and mass matrices in MATLAB. We apply this for problems discretized by edge finite elements. Typical edge finite elements are Raviart-Thomas elements used in discretizations of H(div) spaces and Nedelec elements in discretizations of H(curl) spaces. We explain vectorization ideas and comment on a freely available MATLAB code which is fast and scalable with respect to time.

In-situ NDT testing procedure as an integral part of failure analysis of historical masonry arch bridges

2015

Abstract A nineteenth-century masonry arch bridge was analyzed as an illustrative example to explain the role of in-situ test campaigns in failure analysis and retrofit design. Test results were studied to find out the advantages of each technique, with the aim of proposing an optimized in-situ testing procedure. Standard static penetrometer, flat jack, thermographic and georadar in-situ tests were conducted. Traffic effects were analyzed by means of vibrational tests. The experimental analysis performed to investigate damage on the bridge structures shows the degree of reliability offered by each technique in evaluating specific information and reproducing the global behavior of the struct…

BEM application on an external problem comparison with both theoretical and finite elements results and observations on divergence strip

1992

Abstract By means of a computer program the Boundary Element Method is applied to a central hole in an undefined plate with uniform load along the boundary. Results are compared with those obtained by Kirsch's theoretical solution and a previous analysis by the Finite Element Method. The calculus of percentage error shows the advantage of the Boundary Element Method on the external problem with regard to the Finite Element Method. The error causes near the boundary internal points are analysed with the existence of a strip, where the result is not reliable in evidence.

Fluid–structure interaction of downwind sails: a new computational method

2018

The spreading of high computational resources at very low costs led, over the years, to develop new numerical approaches to simulate the fluid surrounding a sail and to investigate the fluid–structure interaction. Most methods have concentrated on upwind sails, due to the difficulty of implementing downwind sailing configurations that present, usually, the problem of massive flow separation and large displacements of the sail under wind load. For these reasons, the problem of simulating the fluid–structure interaction (FSI) on downwind sails is still subject of intensive investigation. In this paper, a new weak coupled procedure between a RANS solver and a FEM one has been implemented t…

Virtual simulation of an osseointegrated trans-humeral prosthesis: A falling scenario

2018

Abstract Introduction Traditional prosthetic solutions expose the amputee to numerous problems that limit his ability to safely perform the normal activities of daily life. In order to eliminate the problems related to the use of the traditional prosthesis with socket, a new technique was developed for fixing the prosthesis to the amputees based on the principle of osseointegration. The aim of this paper is to study and analyze the stress distribution on the interface between a trans-humeral osseointegrated prosthetic implant and the residual bone, identifying the most stressed areas and thus foreseeing possible failure phenomena of the entire prosthetic system and, after, to compare the st…

Stressing sequence of steel cable-stayed bridges built by cantilevering

2015

The construction of cable-stayed bridges by cantilevering implies several changes of geometry, stress and strain patterns during the assemblage of segments. The main target to be satisfied in the construction process is the achievement of the required final geometry and of a convenient state of stress for self-weight and sustained loads. The sequence of stay stressing and the values of prestressing forces at each stage of segment assembling have the main role for reaching the desired result of design, due to the large redundancy of cable-stayed structures.Among the different procedures proposed in the literature for initial cable force determination, the Partial Elastic Scheme (PES) Method …

A multi-scale method for complex flows of non-Newtonian fluids

2021

We introduce a new heterogeneous multi-scale method for the simulation of flows of non-Newtonian fluids in general geometries and present its application to paradigmatic two-dimensional flows of polymeric fluids. Our method combines micro-scale data from non-equilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD) with macro-scale continuum equations to achieve a data-driven prediction of complex flows. At the continuum level, the method is model-free, since the Cauchy stress tensor is determined locally in space and time from NEMD data. The modelling effort is thus limited to the identification of suitable interaction potentials at the micro-scale. Compared to previous proposals, our approach takes into acco…

On the thermo-mechanical behaviour of the IFMIF target assembly under steady state and transient operative scenarios

Cohesive delamination and frictional contact on joining surface via XFEM

2018

In the present paper, the complex mechanical behaviour of the surfaces joining two different bodies is analysed by a cohesive-frictional interface constitutive model. The kinematical behaviour is characterized by the presence of discontinuous displacement fields, that take place at the internal connecting surfaces, both in the fully cohesive phase and in the delamination one. Generally, in order to catch discontinuous displacement fields, internal connecting surfaces (adhesive layers) are modelled by means of interface elements, which connect, node by node, the meshes of the joined bodies, requiring the mesh to be conforming to the geometry of the single bodies and to the relevant connectin…

Parameters influencing the stiffness of composites reinforced by carbon nanotubes – A numerical–analytical approach

2014

Abstract Due to their high stiffness and strength, as well as their electrical conductivity, carbon nanotubes are under intense investigation as fillers in polymer matrix composites. The nature of the carbon nanotube/polymer bonding and the curvature of the carbon nanotubes may strongly reduce the reinforcing effect of the carbon nanotubes when added to a matrix to create composites. Here the effects of carbon nanotube waviness and the interaction with the matrix on the stiffness of the composite are investigated. Using a mixed numerical–analytical model, a parametric study of the waviness and volume fraction influence of CNTs on the elastic behavior of the nanocomposite is presented. The m…