Computational Methods in Engineering

In this paper, a robust control law is proposed, based on Lyapunov’s theory and sliding mode control theory, in
order to track the angle of attack in nonlinear longitudinal dynamics of a missile. It is assumed that there are unmatched
uncertainties in the nonlinear systems. In the proposed algorithm, the controller gains are optimized by Particle Swarm
Optimization (PSO) algorithm. For this purpose, a cost function is extracted from the output tracking error. Simulation results
show that the proposed algorithm has better performance than conventional Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller in
the presence of unmatched uncertainties.

In this paper, Lattice-Discrete Particle Model (LDPM) of concrete has been extended in 2-D to account for the effect of non-circular aggregates. To this end, the flexible equation of super-ellipse is employed for generating aggregates in order to add the simulation possibility of a greater spectrum of aggregate samples in 2-D to lattice-Discrete particle Model. Alongside this extention, required procedures for the generation of aggregates, their packing in space, the determination of influencing region of each particle, the definition of interacting surfaces and computational points and the definition of strains are outlined. Finally, the effects of aggregates geometry on macro-scale compressive strength and softening curve and also cracking pattern of concrete under uniaxial compression are discussed.

This article predicts lifetime of high cycle fatigue loading using Chaboche-Lemaitre damage model. The Chaboche-Lemaitre damage model takes into account mean stress effect as well as compressive stresses effect, making crack to close. In the this paper, a numerical algorithm is offered to integrate this model implicitly and the obtained algorithm is implemented as a user material subroutine of the ABAQUS finite element software. To reduce computation time, Jump-in-Cycles procedure is used based on fatigue loading simulation. To verify the proposed algorithm, a V-notched specimen is chosen under a fatigue loading with different stress ratios, and its lifetime is compared with experiments. Next, an aviation industry part, main rotor spindle of an aircraft blades, subjected to a variable fatigue loading is analysed.

In this paper, buckling behavior of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) plates is studied in line with the plates thikness. All  governing equations are presented incrementally, based on a First-order Shear Deformation Theory (FSDT) of plates and von Karman strain field. In order to find the critical buckling load, the axial load is applied to the plate incrementally and the equilibrium equations are solved by Dynamic Relaxation (DR) method. Parametric study of the effects of volume fraction of Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs), CNTs distribution, plate width-to-thickness ratio and aspect ratio of nano composite plates is done in detail. The results show that functionally graded distribution of CNTs causes a significant increase of critical buckling load.

In this paper, first the theory of Improved Applied Element Method (IAEM) is proposed and then an appropriate algorithm and software are developed for analyzing structures behavior until collapse by this method. Then, some examples of structural analysis by the above method and a software developed for this study are presented. The results show that IAEM has the ability to solve the discussed problems more accurately in less time than Finite Element Method (FEM). Moreover, the efficiency of the method for solving large displacements problems is enhanced in this research by introducing nonlinear response indicators. For modification of the stiffness matrix in the nonlinear range, a new method is presented that increases the accuracy of calculation up to 30%.

This study shows how to create different types of crack and discontinuities by using isogeometric analysis approach (IGA) and extended finite element method (XFEM). In this contribution, two unique features of isogeometric analysis approach are utilized to create discontinuous zones. Discontinuities consist of crack and cohesive zone. In isogeometric analysis method NURBS is used to approximate both geometry and primary variable. NURBS can create quadratic shapes exactly. Also, stress intensity factors are calculated in the vicinity of the crack tips for two dimensional problems and are compared with corresponding analytical and numerical counterparts. Extended finite element method is the other numerical method which is used in this work. The enrichment procedure is utilized in extended finite element method to create discontinuities. The well-known path independent J-integral approach is used in order to calculate the stress intensity factors. Also, in mixed mode situation, the interaction integral (M-integral) is considered to calculate the stress intensity factors. Results show that isogeometric analysis method has desirable accuracy as it uses lower degree of freedoms and consequently lower computational efforts than extended finite element method. In addition, creating the internal cohesive zone as one of the most important issues in computational fracture mechanics is feasible due to the special features of isogeometric analysis. The present study demonstrates the capability of isogeometric analysis parametric space to control the inter-element continuity and create the cohesive zone.

In present study, dynamic modeling and control of a tethered space robot system in trajectory tracking of its end effector is investigated. Considering variation of the tether length in the model, dynamics of the system is modeled using Lagrange’s method. Librational motion of the tether is controlled by adjusting the tether length similar to conventional manipulators,control of the robot is performed by its motors. It is clear that, in the trajectory tracking of the end effector, the tether length should be kept more or less constant, keeping them in a stable position. Limiting the tether length variation while using it as a tool for controlling the tether librational motion, is the main challenging part of the control system. To deal with this problem, a hybrid control  system is proposed to control the system. A nonlinear model predictive control approach (NMPC) is utilized to control the tether librational motion and a modified computed torque method (CTM) is used to control the manipulator motion. Initially the NMPC controller is developed for a simple tethered satellite system. Then it is combined with the CTM controller. The proposed controller is employed to control motion of a space robot’s end effector on a predefined trajectory. Performance of the controller is then evaluated by numerical simulations.

Using Vibro-Impact Nonlinear Energy Sinks (VI NESs) is one of the novel strategies to control structural vibrations and mitigate their seismic response. In this system, a mass is tuned on the structure floor, so that it has a specific distance from an inelastic constraint connected to the floor mass. In case of structure stimulation, the displaced VI NES mass collides with the  inelastic constraint and upon impacts, energy is dissipated. In the present work, VI NES is studied when its parameters, including clearance and stiffness ratio, are simultaneously optimized. Harmony search as a recent meta-heuristic algorithm is efficiently specialized and utilized for the aforementioned continuous optimization problem. The optimized attached VI NES is thus shown to be capable of interacting with the primary structure over a wide range of frequencies. The resulting controlled response is then investigated, in a variety of low and medium rise steel moment frames, via nonlinear dynamic time history analyses. Capability of the VI NES to dissipate siesmic input energy of earthquakes and their capabilitiy in reducing response of srtructures effectively, through vibro-impacts between the energy sink’s mass and the floor mass, is discussed by extracting several performance indices and the corresponding Fourier spectra. Results of the numerical simulations done on some structural model examples reveal that the optimized VI NES has caused successive redistribution of energy from low-frequency high-amplitude vibration modes to high-frequency low-amplitude modes, bringing about the desired attenuation of the structural responses.

In this paper, viscous dissipation and roughness effects on heat transfer and fluid flow are investigated in microchannels using perturbation method in slip flow regime. The flow is considered to be laminar, developing thermally and hydrodynamically, two-dimensional, incompressible and steady-state. The working fluid is air, flowing between two parallel plates. The equations obtained from developing Navier-Stokes and energy equations are solved numerically according to different orders of Knudsen number, with second-order velocity slip and temperature jump boundary conditions. The effects of thermal creep has been ignored. Tempreture and velocity fields are obtained and estimated for both constatnt heat flux and constant wall tempreture. The effects of roughness height, space between roughness elements, roughness elements length, Re number and Kn number on slip behavior of gas flow are investigated.The results indicate considerable effect of viscous dissipation and roughness on fluid flow and heat transfer in microchannel.

Although a significant portion of conditions encountered in geotechnical engineering, for investigating engineering behavior of soil, involves unsaturated soils; the traditional analysis and design approach has been to assume the limiting conditions of soils being either completely dry or completely saturated. In unsaturated soils the capillary force produce attractive forces between particles. Discrete Element Method (DEM) is an appropriate tool to consider the capillary effects. The calculations performed in DEM is based on iterative application of Newton’s second law to the particles and force-displacement law at the contacts. In the present study, the behavior of unsaturated soils in pendular regime is simulated utilizing DEM. Triaxial  compression tests were modeled as two-dimensional, considering capillary force effects. Finally, capillary effects on Macro parameters of a simulated granular soil (stress, axial strain, volumetric strain and void ratio) and Mohr Coulomb failure criteria parameters were studied.