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.

Effect of the Cyclic Crack Opening-Closure during Epoxy-Curing Period of a CFRP Strengthening System Bonded on Concrete Substrate

This article investigates the potential detrimental effects of cyclic load during the installation of externally bonded (EB) carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) on a damaged reinforced concrete (RC) structure. Four RC specimens were tested in three point bending to study the consequences of crack cyclic opening-closure during epoxy-curing period. A first RC specimen (without bonded CFRP) was loaded monotonically up to failure to serve as undamaged control sample. The three other specimens were pre-cracked before being subjected to a fatigue loading procedure to simulate service condition of a damaged RC structure. Two of the three pre-cracked specimens were strengthened by EB CFRP. One specimen was repaired before the fatigue test while the other one was repaired during the fatigue test. Finally, remaining capacities of all three pre-cracked specimens were measured through monotonic bending tests until failure. It was found that, although bonding of CFRP reinforcement during cyclic load can induce some interesting features with regard to serviceability, cyclic crack opening and closing alters the cure process of epoxy located below the initial crack and decreases the effectiveness of the strengthening at ultimate state. Extended experimental studies are then needed to assess reliable safety factor for the design of repairing operations in which the bridge has to be maintained in service during CFRP installation.

Effect of Permittivity on the Electric-Field-Driven Rotation Dynamics in a Liquid Film

Applying a constant electric field on a suspended film of liquid that carries an electric current, either by the transport of ions or surface charges, induces a rotation in the film. This system is known as “liquid film motor”. So far, the effect of permittivity of the liquid on its rotation has been ignored. We showed that the permittivity of the liquid can significantly affect the dynamics of rotation. Using an experimental approach, we studied the liquid film rotation for a broad range of pure liquids with diverse permittivities and surface tensions. We observed two different regimes of rotation depending on the permittivity of the liquids. We also found that there is no correlation between the surface tension of the liquid and the angular velocity of the rotation. We considered a theoretical framework and suggested scenarios to explain our experimental observations. These results help in better understanding the physics of liquid film motors and suggest opportunities for new flow manipulation techniques at small scales.

Mechanical Properties and Leak-Tightness of Polymeric Pipe Adhesive Joints

This paper presents issues related to the determination of the selected mechanical properties of adhesive joints made of polymeric pipes and the evaluation of the leak-tightness of the adhesive joints. The article attempts to demonstrate that the type of adhesive may affect the quality of adhesive joints in terms of both tightness and strength of joints. Five types of the polymer pipes differing in a polypropylene and a polyvinyl chloride, diameter and a wall thickness were used in the experiments. Two types of the adhesives were used to make the adhesive joints: Loctite 3430 A&B Hysol, a two-component epoxy adhesive, and Loctite 406, a one-component cyanoacrylate adhesive. Based on the leak-tightness tests results, it was possible to determine the quality of their adhesive joints without damaging the samples, while their tensile strength was determined through the strength tests. The tests performed allowed for the conclusion that the use of the polyvinyl chloride pipes and Loctite 406 one-component adhesive is recommended for this type of adhesive joints.

Experimental and Numerical Studies of Stress Distribution in an Expanding Pin Joint System

Pin joints are widely used mechanisms in different industrial machineries such as aircrafts, cranes, ships, and offshore drilling equipment providing a joint with possibility of relative rotation about one single axis. The rigidity of the joint and its service lifetime depend on the clamping force in the contact region that is provided by the applied torque. However, due to the tolerance needed for insertion of a pin in the equipment support bore, the pin is prone to relative displacement inside the bore. The amplitude of this relative displacement usually increases as time passes and since the material of the support often has lower quality grade than the pin, it leads to creation of slack in the equipment and malfunctioning of the machine. An Expanding Pin System (EPS) can be a solution to this problem where the split sleeve expands to remove the gap while the joint is torqued. Therefore, slack in the joint system disappears and 360° contact area could be achieved, providing a better stress distribution and preventing the stress localization. Determining the EPS preload and the resulting contact pressure and stresses in the joint parts are important to avoid damaging to the contact surfaces of the joints and making the dismantling of the EPS difficult. Therefore, finding the amount of the required torque is a compromise between preventing slack in the EPS and prohibiting damage to the joint parts. Stress analysis in this study is performed based on the industrially recommended torque for the EPS type under study. This article reports the study conducted on the stress distribution and the magnitude of stresses exerted to the equipment support when EPS is installed on the machine. To achieve this purpose and to investigate the stress distribution in the joint, both experimental and finite element (FE) methods were used. The experimental results show how much of the applied energy to the EPS in the form of torque is spent to expand the split sleeve and test boss and also to overcome friction. The finite element analysis provides magnitude and distribution of stresses in the EPS components.

Interpretation of Cone Penetration Test Data of an Embankment for Coupled Numerical Modeling

The Nerang Broadbeach Roadway (NBR) embankment in Australia is founded on soft clay deposits. The embankment sections were preloaded and surcharged-preloaded to limit the post-construction deformation and to avoid stability failure. In this paper, we discuss the NBR embankment’s geology, geotechnical properties of the subsurface, and long-term field monitoring data from settlement plates and piezometers. We demonstrate a comparison of cone penetration test (CPT) and piezo cone dissipation test (CPT-u) interpreted geotechnical properties and the NBR embankment’s foundation stratification with laboratory and field measured data. We also developed two elasto-viscoplastic (EVP) models for long-term performance prediction of the NBR embankment. In this regard, we considered both the associated and the non-associated flow rule in the EVP model formulation to assess the flow rule effect of soft clay. We also compared EVP model predictions with the Modified Cam Clay (MCC) model to evaluate the effect of viscous behavior of natural Estuarine clay. Both EVP models require six parameters, and five of them are similar to the MCC model. We used the secondary compression index of clay in the EVP model formulations to include the viscous response of clay. We obtained numerical models’ parameters from laboratory tests and interpretation of CPT and CPTu data. We observed that the EVP models predicted well compared with the MCC model because of the inclusion of soft clay’s viscosity in the EVP models. Moreover, the flow rule effect in the embankment’s performance predictions was noticeable. The non-associated flow rule EVP model predicted the field monitoring settlement and pore pressure better compared to the MCC model and the associated flow EVP model.

Subspace Reduction for Stochastic Planar Elasticity

Stochastic eigenvalue problems are nonlinear and multiparametric. They require their own solution methods and remain one of the challenge problems in computational mechanics. For the simplest possible reference problems, the key is to have a cluster of at the low end of the spectrum. If the inputs, domain or material, are perturbed, the cluster breaks and tracing of the eigenpairs become difficult due to possible crossing of the modes. In this paper we have shown that the eigenvalue crossing can occur within clusters not only by perturbations of the domain, but also of material parameters. What is new is that in this setting, the crossing can be controlled; that is, the effect of the perturbations can actually be predicted. Moreover, the basis of the subspace is shown to be a well-defined concept and can be used for instance in low-rank approximation of solutions of problems with static loading. In our industrial model problem, the reduction in solution times is significant.

Response-Only Damage Detection Approach of CFRP Gas Tanks Using Clustering and Vibrational Measurements

The advancements in the automotive, aviation, and aerospace industry have led to an increased usage of CFRP high-pressure gas tanks. In order to avoid any fatal accidents, the inspection procedures require accuracy, but also practicality, to be used in the industry. The presented work focuses on response-only metrics from vibrational experimental measurements of the CFRP tank. The power spectral density and transmittance function curves are both compared for the accuracy and ability to be used as metrics for damage detection. Along with the selection of the proper metric, an appropriate clustering algorithm that can accurately group similar states of the structure is of high importance. Two clustering algorithms, agglomerative hierarchical and spectral clustering, are employed and compared for their performance. A small Type V CFRP tank is used as an experimental structure on this benchmark problem. In order to create realistic material damage, the tank is placed on an impact system multiple times where different damage magnitudes are created. After each new state and damage magnitude on the tank, vibrational experimental data are collected. Using the collected data, all the combinations of the mentioned metrics and algorithms are executed and properly compared to evaluate their accuracy.

Formulation of Shell Elements Based on the Motion Formalism

This paper presents a finite element implementation of plates and shells for the analysis of flexible multibody systems. The developments are set within the framework of the motion formalism that (1) uses configuration and motion to describe the kinematics of flexible multibody systems, (2) couples their displacement and rotation components by recognizing that configuration and motion are members of the Special Euclidean group, and (3) resolves all tensors components in local frames. The formulation based on the motion formalism (1) provides a theoretical framework that streamlines the formulation of shell elements, (2) leads to governing equations of motion that are objective, intrinsic, and present a reduced order of nonlinearity, (3) improves the efficiency of the solution process, (4) circumvents the shear locking phenomenon that plagues shell formulations based on classical kinematic descriptions, and (5) prevents the occurrence of singularities in the treatment of finite rotation. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the advantageous features of the proposed formulation.

Multi Scale Modelling of Friction Induced Vibrations at the Example of a Disc Brake System

Friction induced vibrations such as brake squealing, or juddering are still challenging topics in product engineering processes. So far, this topic was particularly relevant for the automobile industry because they were the main market for disc brake systems. However, since mobility habits change, disc brake system are more often to be found on bikes or e-scooters. In all of these systems, vibrations are excited in contacts on the micro scale but affect the user comfort and safety on the macro scale. Therefore, the aim of this cross-scale method is to analyze a system on a micro scale and to transfer the excitation mechanisms on a macro scale system. To address both scales, the current work presents a finite element model on the micro scale for the determination of the coefficient of friction, which is transferred to the macro scale and used in a multi-body simulation. Finally, a finite element modal analysis is conducted, which allowed us to evaluate the brake system behavior on base of an excitation.