Consistent coupling of positions and rotations for embedding 1D Cosserat beams into 3D solid volumes

The present article proposes a mortar-type finite element formulation for consistently embedding curved, slender beams into 3D solid volumes. Following the fundamental kinematic assumption of undeformable cross-section s, the beams are identified as 1D Cosserat continua with pointwise six (translational and rotational) degrees of freedom describing the cross-section (centroid) position and orientation. A consistent 1D-3D coupling scheme for this problem type is proposed, requiring to enforce both positional and rotational constraints. Since Boltzmann continua exhibit no inherent rotational degrees of freedom, suitable definitions of orthonormal triads are investigated that are representative for the orientation of material directions within the 3D solid. While the rotation tensor defined by the polar decomposition of the deformation gradient appears as a natural choice and will even be demonstrated to represent these material directions in a $$L_2$$ L 2 -optimal manner, several alternative triad definitions are investigated. Such alternatives potentially allow for a more efficient numerical evaluation. Moreover, objective (i.e. frame-invariant) rotational coupling constraints between beam and solid orientations are formulated and enforced in a variationally consistent manner based on either a penalty potential or a Lagrange multiplier potential. Eventually, finite element discretization of the solid domain, the embedded beams, which are modeled on basis of the geometrically exact beam theory, and the Lagrange multiplier field associated with the coupling constraints results in an embedded mortar-type formulation for rotational and translational constraint enforcement denoted as full beam-to-solid volume coupling (BTS-FULL) scheme. Based on elementary numerical test cases, it is demonstrated that a consistent spatial convergence behavior can be achieved and potential locking effects can be avoided, if the proposed BTS-FULL scheme is combined with a suitable solid triad definition. Eventually, real-life engineering applications are considered to illustrate the importance of consistently coupling both translational and rotational degrees of freedom as well as the upscaling potential of the proposed formulation. This allows the investigation of complex mechanical systems such as fiber-reinforced composite materials, containing a large number of curved, slender fibers with arbitrary orientation embedded in a matrix material.

Applied Mathematics of Space-time & Space+time: Problems in General Relativity and Cosmology

<p>Cosmography is the part of cosmology that proceeds by making minimal dynamic assumptions. That is, one does not assume the Friedmann equations (Einstein equations) unless and until absolutely necessary. On the other hand, cosmodynamics is the part of cosmology that relates the geometry to the density and pressure using the Friedmann equations. In both frameworks, we consider the amount of information and the nature of the constraints we can obtain from the Hubble flow in a FLRW universe. Indeed, the cosmological parameters contained in the Hubble relation between distance and redshift provide information on the behaviour of the universe (expansion, acceleration etc...). In the first framework, it is possible to concentrate more directly on the observational situation in a model-independent manner. We perform a number of inter-related cosmographic fits to supernova datasets, and pay particular attention to the extent to which the choice of distance scale and manner of representing the redshift scale affect the cosmological parameters. In the second framework, we use the class of w-parameter models which has become increasingly popular in the last decade. We explore the extent to which a constraint on the w-parameter leads to useful and non-trivial constraints on the Hubble flow in terms of cosmological parameters H(z), density p(z), density parameter O(z), distance scales d(z), and lookback time T(z). On another front, Numerical Relativity has experienced many breakthroughs since 2005, with full inspiral-merger-ringdown simulations now possible. One of the main goals is to provide very accurate templates of gravitational waves for ground-based and space-based interferometers. We explore the potential of a very recent and accurate numerical method, the Spectral Element Method (SEM), for Numerical Relativity, by treating a singular Schwarszchild black hole evolution as a test case. Spectral elements combine the theory of spectral and pseudo-spectral methods for high order polynomials and the variational formulation of finite elements and the associated geometric flexibility. We use the BSSN formulation of the Einstein equations with the method of the moving punctures. After applying the variational formulation to the BSSN system, we present several possible weak forms of this system and its spectral element discretization in space. We use a Runge-Kutta fourth order time discretization. The accuracy of high order methods can deteriorate in the presence of discontinuities or sharp gradients. We show that we can treat the element that contains the puncture with a filtering method to avoid artificial and spurious oscillations. These might form and propagate into the domain coming from discontinuous initial data from the BSSN system.</p>

Applied Mathematics of Space-time & Space+time: Problems in General Relativity and Cosmology

<p>Cosmography is the part of cosmology that proceeds by making minimal dynamic assumptions. That is, one does not assume the Friedmann equations (Einstein equations) unless and until absolutely necessary. On the other hand, cosmodynamics is the part of cosmology that relates the geometry to the density and pressure using the Friedmann equations. In both frameworks, we consider the amount of information and the nature of the constraints we can obtain from the Hubble flow in a FLRW universe. Indeed, the cosmological parameters contained in the Hubble relation between distance and redshift provide information on the behaviour of the universe (expansion, acceleration etc...). In the first framework, it is possible to concentrate more directly on the observational situation in a model-independent manner. We perform a number of inter-related cosmographic fits to supernova datasets, and pay particular attention to the extent to which the choice of distance scale and manner of representing the redshift scale affect the cosmological parameters. In the second framework, we use the class of w-parameter models which has become increasingly popular in the last decade. We explore the extent to which a constraint on the w-parameter leads to useful and non-trivial constraints on the Hubble flow in terms of cosmological parameters H(z), density p(z), density parameter O(z), distance scales d(z), and lookback time T(z). On another front, Numerical Relativity has experienced many breakthroughs since 2005, with full inspiral-merger-ringdown simulations now possible. One of the main goals is to provide very accurate templates of gravitational waves for ground-based and space-based interferometers. We explore the potential of a very recent and accurate numerical method, the Spectral Element Method (SEM), for Numerical Relativity, by treating a singular Schwarszchild black hole evolution as a test case. Spectral elements combine the theory of spectral and pseudo-spectral methods for high order polynomials and the variational formulation of finite elements and the associated geometric flexibility. We use the BSSN formulation of the Einstein equations with the method of the moving punctures. After applying the variational formulation to the BSSN system, we present several possible weak forms of this system and its spectral element discretization in space. We use a Runge-Kutta fourth order time discretization. The accuracy of high order methods can deteriorate in the presence of discontinuities or sharp gradients. We show that we can treat the element that contains the puncture with a filtering method to avoid artificial and spurious oscillations. These might form and propagate into the domain coming from discontinuous initial data from the BSSN system.</p>

Comparison of Modelling Strategies of R.C Walls for Seismic Analysis

Reinforced concrete walls are being widely adopted as lateral load resisting systems for high rise structures. The current practice among design engineers for modelling of such walls is by idealizing the same as ‘wide’ columns, which is uncertain from safety as well as economy point of view. The most efficient modelling strategy of RC walls involves use of shell elements. Such an approach can be computationally much intensive, especially from a seismic analysis perspective. The present study utilizes an equivalent strut approach for modelling RC walls. The modelling strategy is demonstrated on a G + 15 storey residential apartment located in Calicut city. The proposed methodology will be compared with the traditional ‘wide’ column method as well as the one with shell element discretization. Comparison of modal properties such as frequencies and vibration modes from the various models are initially made to assess the model accuracy. Various seismic analyses viz. Equivalent static approach, Response spectrum approach and the assessment the storey shear, inter storey drifts as well as computation times using various models were performed using time history analysis. From preliminary results, it is understood that the modelling strategy could serve as an efficient alternative to more robust and computationally demanding scheme involving use of shell elements.

Dynamics of a flexible body: a two-field formulation

A two-field formulation of the nonlinear dynamics of an elastic body is presented in which positions/orientations and the resulting velocity field are treated as independent. Combining a nonclassical description of elastic velocity that includes the convection velocity due to elastic deformation with floating reference axes minimizing the relative kinetic energy due to elastic deformation provides a fully uncoupled expression of kinetic energy. A transformation inspired by the classical Legendre transformation concept is introduced to develop the motion equations in canonical form. Finite element discretization is achieved using the same shape function sets for elastic displacements and velocities. Specific attention is brought to the discretization of the gyroscopic forces induced by elastic deformation. A model reduction strategy to construct superelement models suitable for flexible multibody dynamics applications is proposed, which fulfills the essential condition of orthogonality between a rigid body and elastic motions. The problem of expressing kinematic connections at superelement boundaries is briefly addressed. Two academic examples have been developed to illustrate some of the concepts presented.