scholarly journals A Novel Approach to Perform the Identification of Cross-Section Deformation Modes for Thin-Walled Structures in the Framework of a Higher Order Beam Theory

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (23) ◽  
pp. 5186
Author(s):  
Lei Zhang ◽  
Aimin Ji ◽  
Weidong Zhu

This paper presents a novel approach to identify cross-section deformation modes for thin-walled structures by assembling preliminary deformation modes (PDM) considering their participation in free vibration modes. These PDM, defined over the cross-section through kinematic concepts, are integrated in the governing equations of a higher order model and then uncoupled in the form of generalized eigenvectors. The eigenvectors are deemed to inherit the attributes of structural behaviours and can serve as the basis to assemble PDM. Accordingly, a criterion was developed to handle the eigenvectors, pursuing (i) the clustering of PDM that participate in a same structural behaviour, (ii) the assignation of the corresponding weights that indicate their participation and (iii) the decomposition of an amplitude function when it is related to several structural behaviours. Moreover, a numbering system was proposed to hierarchically organize the deformation modes, which is conducive to a reduced higher order model. The main features of this approach are found in its ability to be performed in a more operational way and its nature to give deformation modes physical interpretation inherited from the dynamic behaviours. The versatility of the approach was validated through both numerical examples and comparisons with other theories.

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 1847 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Zhang ◽  
Weidong Zhu ◽  
Aimin Ji ◽  
Liping Peng

In this paper, a simplified approach to identify sectional deformation modes of prismatic cross-sections is presented and utilized in the establishment of a higher-order beam model for the dynamic analyses of thin-walled structures. The model considers the displacement field through a linear superposition of a set of basis functions whose amplitudes vary along the beam axis. These basis functions, which describe basis deformation modes, are approximated from nodal displacements on the discretized cross-section midline, with interpolation polynomials. Their amplitudes acting in the object vibration shapes are extracted through a modal analysis. A procedure similar to combining like terms is then implemented to superpose basis deformation modes, with equal or opposite amplitude, to produce primary deformation modes. The final set of the sectional deformation modes are assembled with primary deformation modes, excluding the ones constituting conventional modes. The derived sectional deformation modes, hierarchically organized and physically meaningful, are used to update the basis functions in the higher-order beam model. Numerical examples have also been presented and the comparison with ANSYS shell model showed its accuracy, efficiency, and applicability in reproducing three-dimensional behaviors of thin-walled structures.


Symmetry ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 759 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Zhang ◽  
Aimin Ji ◽  
Weidong Zhu ◽  
Liping Peng

In this paper, a new approach is proposed to identify sectional deformation modes of the doubly symmetric thin-walled cross-section, which are to be employed in formulating a one-dimensional model of thin-walled structures. The approach considers the three-dimensional displacement field of the structure as the linear superposition of a set of sectional deformation modes. To retrieve these modes, the modal analysis of a thin-walled structure is carried out based on shell/plate theory, with the shell-like deformation shapes extracted. The components of classical modes are removed from these shapes based on a novel criterion, with residual deformation shapes left. By introducing benchmark points, these shapes are further classified into several deformation patterns, and within each pattern, higher-order deformation modes are derived by removing the components of identified ones. Considering the doubly symmetric cross-section, these modes are approximated with shape functions applying the interpolation method. The identified modes are finally used to deduce the governing equations of the thin-walled structure, applying Hamilton’s principle. Numerical examples are also presented to validate the accuracy and efficiency of the new model in reproducing three-dimensional behaviors of thin-walled structures.


2014 ◽  
Vol 1019 ◽  
pp. 96-102
Author(s):  
Ali Taherkhani ◽  
Ali Alavi Nia

In this study, the energy absorption capacity and crush strength of cylindrical thin-walled structures is investigated using nonlinear Finite Elements code LS-DYNA. For the thin-walled structure, Aluminum A6063 is used and its behaviour is modeled using power-law equation. In order to better investigate the performance of tubes, the simulation was also carried out on structures with other types of cross-sections such as triangle, square, rectangle, and hexagonal, and their results, namely, energy absorption, crush strength, peak load, and the displacement at the end of tubes was compared to each other. It was seen that the circular cross-section has the highest energy absorption capacity and crush strength, while they are the lowest for the triangular cross-section. It was concluded that increasing the number of sides increases the energy absorption capacity and the crush strength. On the other hand, by comparing the results between the square and rectangular cross-sections, it can be found out that eliminating the symmetry of the cross-section decreases the energy absorption capacity and the crush strength. The crush behaviour of the structure was also studied by changing the mass and the velocity of the striker, simultaneously while its total kinetic energy is kept constant. It was seen that the energy absorption of the structure is more sensitive to the striker velocity than its mass.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Giunta ◽  
S. Belouettar

This paper addresses a free vibration analysis of thin-walled isotropic beams via higher-order refined theories. The unknown kinematic variables are approximated along the beam cross section as aN-order polynomial expansion, whereNis a free parameter of the formulation. The governing equations are derived via the dynamic version of the Principle of Virtual Displacements and are written in a unified form in terms of a “fundamental nucleus.” This latter does not depend upon order of expansion of the theory over the cross section. Analyses are carried out through a closed form, Navier-type solution. Simply supported, slender, and short beams are investigated. Besides “classical” modes (such as bending and torsion), several higher modes are investigated. Results are assessed toward three-dimensional finite element solutions. The numerical investigation shows that the proposed Unified Formulation yields accurate results as long as the appropriate approximation order is considered. The accuracy of the solution depends upon the geometrical parameters of the beam.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Abambres ◽  
Dinar Camotim ◽  
Nuno Silvestre

When compared with carbon steel, stainless steel exhibits a more pronounced non-linearity and no well-defined yield plateau, as well as appealing features such as aesthetics, higher corrosion resistance and lower life cycle cost. Due to its considerably high ductility/strength and cost, stainless steel structural solutions tend to be adopted mostly for slender/light structures, thus rendering the assessment of their structural behaviour rather complex, chiefly because of the high susceptibility to instability phenomena. The first objective of this paper is to present the main concepts and procedures involved in the development of a geometrically and physically non-linear Generalised Beam Theory (GBT) formulation and numerical implementation (code), intended to analyse the behaviour and collapse of thin-walled members made of materials with a highly non-linear stress-strain curve (e.g., stainless steel or aluminium). The second objective is to validate and illustrate the application of the proposed GBT formulation, by comparing its results (equilibrium paths, ultimate loads, deformed configurations, displacement profiles and stress distributions) with those provided by shell finite element analyses of two lean duplex square hollow section (SHS) columns previously investigated, both experimentally and numerically, by Theofanous and Gardner [1]. The stainless steel material behaviour is modelled as non-linear isotropic and the GBT analysis includes initial geometrical imperfections, but neglects corner strength enhancements and membrane residual stresses. It is shown that the GBT unique modal nature makes it possible to acquire in-depth knowledge concerning the mechanics of the column behaviour, by providing “structural x-rays” of the (elastic or elastic-plastic) equilibrium configurations: modal participation diagrams showing the quantitative contributions of the global, local, warping shear and transverse extension deformation modes moreover, this feature makes it possible to exclude, from future similar GBT analyses, those deformation modes found to play a negligible role in the mechanics of the behaviour under scrutiny, thus further reducing the number of degrees of freedom involved in a GBT analysis, i.e., increasing its computational efficiency.


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