Dynamic Finite Element Modelling and Vibration Analysis of Prestressed Layered Bending–Torsion Coupled Beams

Free vibration analysis of prestressed, homogenous, Fiber-Metal Laminated (FML) and composite beams subjected to axial force and end moment is revisited. Finite Element Method (FEM) and frequency-dependent Dynamic Finite Element (DFE) models are developed and presented. The frequency results are compared with those obtained from the conventional FEM (ANSYS, Canonsburg, PA, USA) as well as the Homogenization Method (HM). Unlike the FEM, the application of the DFE formulation leads to a nonlinear eigenvalue problem, which is solved to determine the system’s natural frequencies and modes. The governing differential equations of coupled flexural–torsional vibrations, resulting from the end moment, are developed using Euler–Bernoulli bending and St. Venant torsion beam theories and assuming linear harmonic motion and linearly elastic materials. Illustrative examples of prestressed layered, FML, and unidirectional composite beam configurations, exhibiting geometric bending-torsion coupling, are studied. The presented DFE and FEM results show excellent agreement with the homogenization method and ANSYS modeling results, with the DFE’s rates of convergence surpassing all. An investigation is also carried out to examine the effects of various combined axial loads and end moments on the stiffness and fundamental frequencies of the structure. An illustrative example, demonstrating the application of the presented methods to the buckling analysis of layered beams is also presented.

Generic properties of free boundary problems in plasma physics*

We are concerned with the global bifurcation analysis of positive solutions to free boundary problems arising in plasma physics. We show that in general, in the sense of domain variations, the following alternative holds: either the shape of the branch of solutions resembles the monotone one of the model case of the two-dimensional disk, or it is a continuous simple curve without bifurcation points which ends up at a point where the boundary density vanishes. On the other hand, we deduce a general criterion ensuring the existence of a free boundary in the interior of the domain. Application to a classic nonlinear eigenvalue problem is also discussed.

Exponentially Convergent Galerkin Method for Numerical Modeling of Lasing in Microcavities with Piercing Holes

The paper investigates an algorithm for the numerical solution of a parametric eigenvalue problem for the Helmholtz equation on the plane specially tailored for the accurate mathematical modeling of lasing modes of microring lasers. The original problem is reduced to a nonlinear eigenvalue problem for a system of Muller boundary integral equations. For the numerical solution of the obtained problem, we use a trigonometric Galerkin method, prove its convergence, and derive error estimates in the eigenvalue and eigenfunction approximation. Previous numerical experiments have shown that the method converges exponentially. In the current paper, we prove that if the generalized eigenfunctions are analytic, then the approximate eigenvalues and eigenfunctions exponentially converge to the exact ones as the number of basis functions increases. To demonstrate the practical effectiveness of the algorithm, we find geometrical characteristics of microring lasers that provide a significant increase in the directivity of lasing emission, while maintaining low lasing thresholds.

Inverse Nonlinear Eigenvalue Problem Framework for the Synthesis of Coupled-Resonator Filters With Non-Resonant Nodes and Arbitrary Frequency-Variant Couplings

A novel, general circuit-level description of coupled-resonator microwave filters is introduced in this paper. Unlike well-established coupling-matrix models based on frequency-invariant couplings or linear frequency-variant couplings (LFVCs), a model with arbitrary frequency-variant coupling (AFVC) coefficients is proposed. The engineered formulation is more general than prior-art ones and can be treated as an extension of previous synthesis models, since constant or linear couplings are special cases of arbitrary frequency dependence. The suggested model is fully general, allows for AFVCs with highly nonlinear (even singular) characteristics, loaded or unloaded non-resonating nodes (NRNs), frequency-dependent source-load coupling, multiple frequency-variant cross-couplings, and{/}or multiple dispersive couplings for connecting the source and load to the filter network. The model is accompanied by a powerful synthesis technique that is based on the zeros and poles of the admittance or scattering parameters and the eigenvalues of properly defined eigenproblems. In the most general case, the zeros and poles of the admittance or scattering parameters are related to solutions of nonlinear eigenvalue problems. The synthesis is defined as an inverse nonlinear eigenvalue problem (INEVP) where the matrix is constructed from three sets of eigenvalues. This is accomplished by optimization using an iterative nonlinear least-squares solver with excellent convergence property. Finally, third- and fifth-order examples of bandpass filter topologies involving AFVCs are shown, and the experimental validation of the proposed theory is presented through the manufacturing and characterization of a microstrip filter prototype with transmission zeros (TZs)

Inverse Nonlinear Eigenvalue Problem Framework for the Synthesis of Coupled-Resonator Filters With Non-Resonant Nodes and Arbitrary Frequency-Variant Couplings

A novel, general circuit-level description of coupled-resonator microwave filters is introduced in this paper. Unlike well-established coupling-matrix models based on frequency-invariant couplings or linear frequency-variant couplings (LFVCs), a model with arbitrary frequency-variant coupling (AFVC) coefficients is proposed. The engineered formulation is more general than prior-art ones and can be treated as an extension of previous synthesis models, since constant or linear couplings are special cases of arbitrary frequency dependence. The suggested model is fully general, allows for AFVCs with highly nonlinear (even singular) characteristics, loaded or unloaded non-resonating nodes (NRNs), frequency-dependent source-load coupling, multiple frequency-variant cross-couplings, and{/}or multiple dispersive couplings for connecting the source and load to the filter network. The model is accompanied by a powerful synthesis technique that is based on the zeros and poles of the admittance or scattering parameters and the eigenvalues of properly defined eigenproblems. In the most general case, the zeros and poles of the admittance or scattering parameters are related to solutions of nonlinear eigenvalue problems. The synthesis is defined as an inverse nonlinear eigenvalue problem (INEVP) where the matrix is constructed from three sets of eigenvalues. This is accomplished by optimization using an iterative nonlinear least-squares solver with excellent convergence property. Finally, third- and fifth-order examples of bandpass filter topologies involving AFVCs are shown, and the experimental validation of the proposed theory is presented through the manufacturing and characterization of a microstrip filter prototype with transmission zeros (TZs)

Coupled flexural - torsional vibration and stability analysis of pre-loaded beams using conventional and dynamic finite element methods

Dynamic Finite Element (DFE) and conventional finite element formulations are developed to study the flexural - torsional vibration and stability of an isotropic, homogeneous and linearly elastic pre-loaded beam subjected to an axial load and end-moment. Various classical boundary conditions are considered. Elementary Euler - Bernoulli bending and St. Venant torsion beam theories were used as a starting point to develop the governing equations and the finite element solutions. The nonlinear Eigenvalue problem resulted from the DFE method was solved using a program code written in MATLAB and the natural frequencies and mode shapes of the system were determined form the Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors, respectively. Similarly, a linear Eigenvalue problem was formulated and solved using a MATLAB code for the conventional FEM method. The conventional FEM results were validated against those available in the literature and ANSYS simulations and the DFE results were compared with the FEM results. The results confirmed that tensile forces increased the natural frequencies, which indicates beam stiffening. On the contrary, compressive forces reduced the natural frequencies, suggesting a reduction in beam stiffness. Similarly, when an end-moment was applied the stiffness of the beam and the natural frequencies diminished. More importantly, when a force and end-moment were acting in combination, the results depended on the direction and magnitude of the axial force. Nevertheless, the stiffness of the beam is more sensitive to the changes in the magnitude and direction of the axial force compared to the moment. A buckling analysis of the beam was also carried out to determine the critical buckling end-moment and axial compressive force.

Coupled flexural - torsional vibration and stability analysis of pre-loaded beams using conventional and dynamic finite element methods

Dynamic Finite Element (DFE) and conventional finite element formulations are developed to study the flexural - torsional vibration and stability of an isotropic, homogeneous and linearly elastic pre-loaded beam subjected to an axial load and end-moment. Various classical boundary conditions are considered. Elementary Euler - Bernoulli bending and St. Venant torsion beam theories were used as a starting point to develop the governing equations and the finite element solutions. The nonlinear Eigenvalue problem resulted from the DFE method was solved using a program code written in MATLAB and the natural frequencies and mode shapes of the system were determined form the Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors, respectively. Similarly, a linear Eigenvalue problem was formulated and solved using a MATLAB code for the conventional FEM method. The conventional FEM results were validated against those available in the literature and ANSYS simulations and the DFE results were compared with the FEM results. The results confirmed that tensile forces increased the natural frequencies, which indicates beam stiffening. On the contrary, compressive forces reduced the natural frequencies, suggesting a reduction in beam stiffness. Similarly, when an end-moment was applied the stiffness of the beam and the natural frequencies diminished. More importantly, when a force and end-moment were acting in combination, the results depended on the direction and magnitude of the axial force. Nevertheless, the stiffness of the beam is more sensitive to the changes in the magnitude and direction of the axial force compared to the moment. A buckling analysis of the beam was also carried out to determine the critical buckling end-moment and axial compressive force.