Computational Methods in Engineering

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One of the great enemies of rubber compounds is heat. Heat will cause chemical and physical degradation of vulcanized rubber as well as a considerable loss in its strength. A major source of heat generation in a tire is due to internal friction resulting from the viscoelastic deformation of the tire as it rolls along the road. Another source of heat generation in a tire is due to its contact friction with the road. Prediction of the temperature rise at different parts of the tire will help to detect the behavior of the tire as regards its strength and its failure. In the present work, initially the data required for the thermal analysis of the tire are determined which include: the thermal conductivity of rubber compounds, the tire rolling resistance and its heat build-up rate. The thermomechanical analysis of a typical tire then follows based on the thermodynamics of an irriversible process. The mechanical dissipatives, i.e. the hystersis losses are assummed to be the major source of heat in the mathematical formulation. A finite element code is developed for two-dimensional heat transfer analysis of the tire. The results obtained show that the highest temperature rise will occur on the carcass-tread interface in a tire specially at heavy loading and under high speed conditions. Keywords: Heat Generation, Rubber, Contact Friction, Design, Finite Element, Viscoelastic Deformation

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This paper introduces a novel passive suspension system for ground vehicles. This system is based on a flexible Electromagnetic Shock Absorber (EMSA). In the proposed system, efforts are made to a) select a high damping coefficient usable in a car b) determine Physical dimensions and geometry not much different from those of the mechanical shock absorbers and c) seletct EMSA weight and volume low enough for the core not to be saturated. A model is designed and developed followed by determining the dynamic equations for the model. The results from the simulation in a quarter car model are then compared with those from passive and active suspension systems. Keywords: Active Suspension Systems, Electromagnetic damper, Finite Element method

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In this study, Buckling Limit of Strain (B.L.S.) is introduced as one of the most important limiting factors in cold roll forming process. B.L.S. is calculated by the finite element procedure. Then for two particular processes with existing analysis and experimental results, B.L.S. has been determined and evaluated. LUSAS 12.3 is used for finite element analysis. The results show that when buckling of the sheet metal is the limiting factor, B.L.S. is in good agreement with practical limits. It has also been shown that flower pattern can be well predicted when B.L.S. is obtained and this idea is another new outcome from this study. Using this criterion to define and determine B.L.S. and to design the flower pattern is a new concept accomplished for the first time. Keywords: Cold Roll-Forming, Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis, Local Buckling

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A new method (thermal spokes) is proposed to simulate the guide rolls in FE analysis of the ring rolling process. So far this method is the only one, capable of calculating guide rolls reaction contact forces related to the stiffness of their adjustment mechanism. The method is simple to use, does not introduce further nonlinearities and could be used in any kind of FE formulations. The method is successfully employed in FE analysis of rectangular and T-section rings. The results of the thermal spokes method, a new analytical method based on lever arm principle with experimental results are in good agreements. This analysis shows that the guide rolls greatly affect the process. Keywords: ring rolling, finite element method, guide rolls, thermal spokes

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This paper presents a new super-element with twelve degrees of freedom for latticed columns. This elements is developed such that it behaves, with an acceptable approximation, in the same manner as a reference model does. The reference model is constructed by using many Solid elements. The cross section area, moments of inertia, shear coefficient and torsoinal rigidity of the developed new element are derived. Since the reference model has a large number of degrees of freedom (especially for nonlinear cases), computation of the equivalent essential parameters of the proposed element is very time consuming, so, a model using only beam elements is also presented. For the super element, a general purpose program is developed that is capable of performing linear and nonlinear analysis of 3D-frames with latticed columns. In order to derive the essential parameters of the proposed super-element, many latticed columns are analyzed while shear deformations are taken into consideration. Using these essential equivalent parameters approximate relations are proposed for the compution of parameters of any latticed column based on geometric characteristics. Finally, to show the accuracy of the proposed element, several examples are presented. Keywords: Finite elements, Super-element, Latticed column, Shear deformations, 3D-frames

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A finite element program based on elastic –plastic model of Mohr-Coulomb criterion was used to evaluate the bearing capacity coefficients of soil under shallow strip flexible footing . The results were compared with others’ analytical results and it was found that the present study could offer quite consistent and rather precise values for the bearing capacity coefficients . The effect of different parameters such as E , υ, φ ,ψ ,γ , type of mesh idealization ,type of elements ,type of load distribution at the footing base have been examined and some new results obtained and discussed. The main conclusion can be summarized as : that the values of bearing capacity coefficients for any particular amount of friction angle should not be expressed as a single number solely dependent on the friction angle ,but the accurate values must be considered as the values dependent on some other effective parameters , which have been mentioned above . Keywords : soil bearing capacity , finite element , Mohr-Coulomb , shallow footing

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In this paper, Forchheimer equation is used as the constitutive equation for flow through rockfill, and the non-linear two-dimensional governing equation with free surface is solved by a new finite element method in a fixed grid. The model is verified by applying it to different flow conditions. The first scenario, which is assumed to be one-dimensional with analytical solution available for it, is used to verify the developed code. Other scenarios, which are two-dimensional free surface tests on a laboratory rockfill, are used to verify the model. The model shows satisfactory performance in this regard. For example, on average, a mean absolute relative error of about 2.3%, in terms of pressure head was found to exist between modelling results and observed values. Further capabilities of the model are discussed by simulating overflow through self– spillway rockfill dams. Keywords: Finite element, Method, Fixed grid, Non-Darcy flow, Non-linear flow, Rock fill dam

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In hot forming process, the workpiece undergoes plastic deformation at high temperature and the microstructure of the workpiece changes according to the plastic deformation. These changes affect the mechanical properties of workpiece. In order to optimize this process, both the plastic deformation of workpiece and its microstructural changes should be taken into consideration. Since material behaviors at elevated temperatures are usually rate-sensitive, the analysis of the hot forming processes requires a thermo-viscoplastic model. In this paper, by coupling the flow stress prediction model developed with finite element analysis of thermo-viscoplastic of the hot upsetting process, temperature, strain rate, flow stress distributions and geometry of the workpiece at each time step can be calculated. At each time step, the strain rate and temperature at each element are obtained. From these values and the history of deformation, the changes in microstructure and flow stress can be determined. Keywords: Hot forming, Process, Finite element analysis, Flow stress, Microstructure, Hot upsetting process

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Being economical and performing well under cyclic loads, steel sections filled with concrete have been widely used in structural buildings. Extensive studies and experiments have been conducted to investigate the influence of different parameters and loadings on the behavior of these structural components. Based on the data available from previous experiments and studies, this paper discusses the behavior of composite columns. The results of 3D-non-linear finite element analysis of thin-walled steel sections filled with concrete are presented. Lastly, comparisons are made between results from finite element analysis and experimental data available about the specimens. Using a trial and error method, the finite element model was calibrated and was used to evaluate the capacity of specimens that were not tested in the laboratory. The capacities of the sections were calculated based on the LRFD design method. The results are compared to evaluate the accuracy of the proposed method. Because of the increase in the use of high strength materials in structures, the effects of increase in concrete and steel strengths on the behavior of composite columns are discussed in this paper. Also the effects that the change in the thickness of the steel shell may have on the behavior of composite columns are argued.

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Bridges are potentially one of the most seismically vulnerable structures in the highway system during earthquake events. It is known that the seismic performance of transportation systems plays a key role in the post-earthquake emergency management. Hence, it is necessary to evaluate both physical and functional aspects of bridge structures. The physical aspects of the seismic performance of bridges are evaluated by seismic fragility functions or damage probability matrices of transportation facilities. The fragility curves represent the probability of structural damage due to various levels of ground shaking. The fragility curve describes a relationship between a ground motion and a level of damage. In this paper, the fragility curves (F.C) are developed. The vulnerability of a railway prestreed concrete bridge is assessed using fragility curves derived from dynamic nonlinear finite element analysis. A software package is developed in MATLAB to study the results obtained. Modeling of the bridge using 3D nonlinear models and modeling of abutments, bearings, effect of falling of girder on its bearings, and nonlinear interaction of soil-structure are some of the advantages of this research compared to previous ones. Reliability curves developed in this study are unique in their own kind. The proposed method as well as the results are presented in the form of vulnerability and structural reliability relations based on two damage functions.

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It is empirically established that, due to a number of factors involved, a classical (linear) analysis of buckling pressure is impossible. Nonlinear theories of buckling are, therefore, required that involve effective factors such as imperfections and welding effects. In this study, models are developed which are as close to allowable standard deviations as possible. In the next stage, their buckling behavior is investigated both experimentally and numerically using finite element packages ADINA, ANSYS, COSMOS, and MARC based on specific capabilities of each. Results show that reasonable estimates of real buckling pressure will become possible when material and geometrical nonlinearities and initial imperfections are introduced into the analytical system. Finally, in the light of the results obtained, a submarine pressure hull is analyzed.

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Based on classical plate theory, standard and spectral finite element methods are extended for vibration and dynamic stability of axially moving thin plates subjected to in-plane forces. The formulation of the standard method earned through Hamilton’s principle is independent of element type. But for solving numerical examples, an isoparametric quadrilateral element is developed using Lagrange interpolation functions. The spectral method is, in fact, the solution of motion equation for an axially moving plate. Although this method has some limitations concerning boundary condition of plate and in-plane forces, it leads to an exact solution of free vibration and stability of plates travelling on parallel rollers. The method can be used as a benchmark of accuracy of other numerical methods.

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In this paper, properties of slab deformation in sizing press mill as one of the slab reduction processes in hot rolling mills have been evaluated using the elastoviscoplastic finite element method with explicit formulation. Effect of prarameters such as initial slab width and thickness, reduction, feed pitch, and anvil speed on factors such as dogbone formation, head and tail fishtail profile, width necking at the leading end of slab, and slab edge quality have been studied. Furthermore, a comparison has been made between the two common width reduction methods, i.e. Vertical Rolling (Edging) and sizing Press, in order to determine their differences and the efficiency of each process. The amount of width return (back spread), one of the most important factors related to width reduction efficiency and also slab formation after the first horizontal rolling pass, has been evaluated. Also, in order to validate the applied finite element method, the results obtained have been compared with experimental ones found in the literature. The results show that deformation in sizing press is more favourable and that its efficiency is better than that of the vertical rolling mill.

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The mechanical behavior of cold rolled sheets is significantly related to residual stresses that arise from bending and unbending processes. Measurement of residual stresses is mostly limited to surface measurement techniques. Experimental determination of stress variation through thickness is difficult and time-consuming. This paper presents a closed form solution for residual stresses, in which the bending-unbending process is modeled as an elastic-plastic plane strain problem. An anisotropic material is assumed. To validate the analytical solution, finite element simulation is also demonstrated. This study is applicable to analysis of coiling-uncoiling, leveling and straightening processes.

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In this paper, a modification on the fixed grid finite element method is presented and used in the solution of 2D linear elastic problems. This method uses non-boundary-fitted meshes for the numerical solution of partial differential equations. Special techniques are required to apply boundary conditions on the intersection of domain boundaries and non-boundary-fitted elements. Hence, a new method is also presented for the computation of stiffness matrix of boundary intersecting elements and boundary conditions of higher accuracy are applied. In order to examine the applicability of the proposed method, some numerical examples are solved and the results are compared with those obtaioned from both fixed grid finite element and standard finite element methods.

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The main objective of this paper is to provide an applied algorithm for analyzing propeller-shaft vibrations in marine vessels. Firstly an underwater marine vehicle has been analyzed at different speed in unsteady condition using the finite volume method. Based on the results of this analysis, flow field of marine vehicle (wake of stern) and velocity inlet to the marine propeller  is extracted at different times. Propeller inlet flow field is applied in the boundary element code and using this code, marine propeller has been analyzed in unsteady state. In continue, main / lateral forces and moments over the propeller are extracted. Then the data obtained from the boundary element code alongwith exact geometry of the propeller and shaft have been studied, using finite element code. Natural and forced frequency of the propeller have been determined in various modes of vibration. According to obtained data from Finite Element Method (FEM) numerical analysis, maximum displacement of propeller is for displacement of the propeller tip in forced vibration state

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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%.

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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.

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In this paper, wave propagation method was applied to detect damage of structures. Spectral Finite Element Method
(SFEM) was used to analyze wave propagation in structures. Two types of structures i.e. rod and Euler-Bernoulli beam were
modelled using spectral elements. The advantage of spectral finite element over conventional Finite Element Method (FEM), in
wave propagation problems, is its accuracy and lower computational time. Two examples of rod and Euler-Bernoulli beam with
embeded concentrated mass were presented to illustrate the superiority of SFEM to FEM. Finally, a cracked beam was modeled
and analyzed using spectral finite elements and the location of the crack was determined using time history response of beam
structure.

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