Search results for "Structural engineering"
showing 10 items of 1998 documents
Lagrangian finite element modelling of dam–fluid interaction: Accurate absorbing boundary conditions
2007
The dynamic dam-fluid interaction is considered via a Lagrangian approach, based on a fluid finite element (FE) model under the assumption of small displacement and inviscid fluid. The fluid domain is discretized by enhanced displacement-based finite elements, which can be considered an evolution of those derived from the pioneering works of Bathe and Hahn [Bathe KJ, Hahn WF. On transient analysis of fluid-structure system. Comp Struct 1979;10:383-93] and of Wilson and Khalvati [Wilson EL, Khalvati M. Finite element for the dynamic analysis of fluid-solid system. Int J Numer Methods Eng 1983;19:1657-68]. The irrotational condition for inviscid fluids is imposed by the penalty method and con…
Solution strategies for 1D elastic continuum with long-range interactions: Smooth and fractional decay
2010
Abstract An elastic continuum model with long-range forces is addressed in this study within the context of approximate analytical methods. Such a model stems from a mechanically-based approach to non-local theory where long-range central forces are introduced between non-adjacent volume elements. Specifically, long-range forces depend on the relative displacement, on the volume product between interacting elements and they are proportional to a proper, material-dependent, distance-decaying function. Smooth-decay functions lead to integro-differential governing equations whereas hypersingular, fractional-decay functions lead to a fractional differential governing equation of Marchaud type. …
Path integral solution handled by Fast Gauss Transform
2009
Abstract The path integral solution method is an effective tool for evaluating the response of non-linear systems under Normal White Noise, in terms of probability density function (PDF). In this paper it has been observed that, using short-time Gaussian approximation, the PDF at a given time instant is the Gauss Transform of the PDF at an earlier close time instant. Taking full advantage of the so-called Fast Gauss Transform a new integration method is proposed. In order to overcome some unsatisfactory trends of the classical Fast Gauss Transform, a new version termed as Symmetric Fast Gauss Transform is also proposed. Moreover, extensions to the two Fast Gauss Transform to MDOF systems ar…
Bending stress fields in composite laminate beams by a boundary integral formulation
1999
Abstract The elasticity of a composite laminate under bending loads is approached through a boundary integral formulation and solved by the boundary element method. The integral equations governing the behaviour of each layer within the laminate, are deduced using the reciprocity theorem. Exact analytical singular solutions of the generalized orthotropic elasticity, i.e. the fundamental solutions of the problem, are employed as the kernels of the integral equation. The formulation does not make any assumption as to the nature of the elastic response and it allows consideration of general section geometries and stacking sequences. The solution is obtained through the enforcement of the inter…
Dynamic response of beams excited by moving oscillators: Approximate analytical solutions for general boundary conditions
2023
In this paper, the dynamic response of an Euler-Bernoulli beam with general boundary conditions (BCs) and subject to a moving oscillator is examined. Notably, novel approximate closed-form expressions are determined for the vertical responses of both the beam and the moving oscillator, specifically considering the effect of damping in these systems, commonly omitted in standard approaches in the literature. In this regard, a modal superposition procedure is adopted and combined with an appropriate expansion-based approach of the dynamic response of the system, which naturally arises considering the oscillator-beam mass ratio to be reasonably small. Further, general boundary conditions are t…
Approximate solution of the Fokker-Planck-Kolmogorov equation
2002
The aim of this paper is to present a thorough investigation of approximate techniques for estimating the stationary and non-stationary probability density function (PDF) of the response of nonlinear systems subjected to (additive and/or multiplicative) Gaussian white noise excitations. Attention is focused on the general scheme of weighted residuals for the approximate solution of the Fokker-Planck-Kolmogorov (FPK) equation. It is shown that the main drawbacks of closure schemes, such as negative values of the PDF in some regions, may be overcome by rewriting the FPK equation in terms of log-probability density function (log-PDF). The criteria for selecting the set of weighting functions i…
Conceptual design of the enhanced coolant purification systems for the European HCLL and HCPB test blanket modules
2019
Abstract The Coolant Purification Systems (CPSs) is one of the most relevant ancillary systems of European Helium Cooled Lead Lithium (HCLL) and Helium Cooled Pebble Bed (HCPB) Test Blanket Modules (TBMs) which are currently in the preliminary design phase in view of their installation and operation in ITER. The CPS implements mainly two functions: the extraction and concentration of the tritium permeated from the TBM modules into the primary cooling circuit and the chemistry control of helium primary coolant. During the HCLL and HCPB-TBSs (Test Blanket Systems) Conceptual Design Review (CDR) in 2015 it was recognized the need of reducing the tritium permeation into the Port Cell #16 of ITE…
Potential and limits of water-cooled Pb–17Li blankets and divertors for a fusion power plant
2000
Abstract Blankets and divertors are key components of a fusion power plant. They have a large impact on the overall plant design, its performance and availability, and on the cost of electricity. The water-cooled Pb–17Li (WCLL) blanket uses reduced activation ferritic–martensitic steel as structural material. It was previously validated under numerous aspects such as TBR, mechanical and thermo-mechanical stability, thermal–hydraulics, MHD, safety and others. This was done assuming the specifications for a European DEMOnstration reactor which were fixed back in 1989. A WCLL blanket would best be combined with a water-cooled divertor so that a single coolant could be used for the entire react…
The European contribution to the development and validation activities for the design of IFMIF lithium facility
2013
The International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility (IFMIF) is an accelerator-driven intense neutron source where candidate materials for fusion reactors will be tested and validated. The high energy neutron flux is produced by means of two deuteron beams (total current of 250 mA, energy of 40 MeV) that strikes a liquid lithium target circulating in a lithium loop of IFMIF plant. The European (EU) contribution to the development of the lithium facility comprises five procurement packages, as follow: (1) participation to the experimental activities of the EVEDA lithium test loop in Oarai (Japan); (2) study aimed at evaluating the corrosion and erosion phenomena, promoted by lithium, for …
Higher order statistics of the response of linear systems excited by polynomials of filtered Poisson pulses
1999
The higher order statistics of the response of linear systems excited by polynomials of filtered Poisson pulses are evaluated by means of knowledge of the first order statistics and without any further integration. This is made possible by a coordinate transformation which replaces the original system by a quasi-linear one with parametric Poisson delta-correlated input; and, for these systems, a simple relationship between first order and higher order statistics is found in which the transition matrix of the dynamical new system, incremented by the correction terms necessary to apply the Ito calculus, appears.