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Keywords
- Finite-Elemente-Methode (73) (remove)
Hydro- und morphodynamischen Prozesse in Binnengewässern und im Küstennahbereich erzeugen hochkomplexe Phänomene. Zur Beurteilung der Entwicklung von Küstenzohnen, von Flussbetten sowie von Eingriffen des Menschen in Form von Schutzbauwerken sind geeignete numerische Modellwerkzeuge notwendig. Es wird ein holistischer Modellansatz zur Approximation gekoppelter Seegangs-, Strömungs- und Morphodynamischer Prozesse auf der Basis stabilisierter Finiter Elemente vorgestellt. Der Großteil der Modellgleichungen der Hydro- und Morphodynamik sind Transportgleichungen. Dem Transportcharakter dieser Gleichungen entsprechend wird ein stabilisiertes Finites Element Verfahren auf Dreiecken vorgestellt. Die vorgestellte Approximation entspricht einem streamline upwinding Petrov-Galerkin-Verfahrens für vektorwertige mehrdimensionale Probleme, bei dem der Fehler eines Standard-Galerkin-Verfahrens mit Hilfe eines Upwinding-Koeffizienten minimiert wird. Die Wahl des Upwinding-Koeffizienten ist übertragbar auf andere Problemklassen und basiert ausschließlich auf dem Charakter der zugrundeliegene Das Modell wurde für Seegangs- und Strömungs-Untersuchungen im Jade-Weser-Ästuar an der deutschen Nordseeküste eingesetzt.
The point collocation method of finite spheres (PCMFS) is used to model the hyperelastic response of soft biological tissue in real time within the framework of virtual surgery simulation. The proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) model order reduction (MOR) technique was used to achieve reduced-order model of the problem, minimizing computational cost. The PCMFS is a physics-based meshfree numerical technique for real-time simulation of surgical procedures where the approximation functions are applied directly on the strong form of the boundary value problem without the need for integration, increasing computational efficiency. Since computational speed has a significant role in simulation of surgical procedures, the proposed technique was able to model realistic nonlinear behavior of organs in real time. Numerical results are shown to demonstrate the effectiveness of the new methodology through a comparison between full and reduced analyses for several nonlinear problems. It is shown that the proposed technique was able to achieve good agreement with the full model; moreover, the computational and data storage costs were significantly reduced.
Phase Field Modeling for Fracture with Applications to Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Materials
(2017)
The thesis presents an implementation including different applications of a variational-based approach for gradient type standard dissipative solids. Phase field model for brittle fracture is an application of the variational-based framework for gradient type solids. This model allows the prediction of different crack topologies and states. Of significant concern is the application of theoretical and numerical formulation of the phase field modeling into the commercial finite element software Abaqus in 2D and 3D. The fully coupled incremental variational formulation of phase field method is implemented by using the UEL and UMAT subroutines of Abaqus. The phase field method
considerably reduces the implementation complexity of fracture problems as it removes the need for numerical tracking of discontinuities in the displacement field that are characteristic of discrete crack methods. This is accomplished by replacing the sharp discontinuities with a scalar damage phase field representing the diffuse crack topology wherein the amount of diffusion is controlled by a regularization parameter. The nonlinear coupled system consisting of the linear momentum equation and a diffusion type equation governing the phase field evolution is solved simultaneously via a Newton-
Raphson approach. Post-processing of simulation results to be used as visualization
module is performed via an additional UMAT subroutine implemented in the standard Abaqus viewer.
In the same context, we propose a simple yet effective algorithm to initiate and propagate cracks in 2D geometries which is independent of both particular constitutive laws and specific element technology and dimension. It consists of a localization limiter in the form of the screened Poisson equation with, optionally, local mesh refinement. A staggered scheme for standard equilibrium and screened Cauchy equations is used. The remeshing part of the algorithm consists of a sequence of mesh subdivision and element erosion steps. Element subdivision is based on edge split operations using a
given constitutive quantity (either damage or void fraction). Mesh smoothing makes use of edge contraction as function of a given constitutive quantity such as the principal stress or void fraction. To assess the robustness and accuracy of this algorithm, we use both quasi-brittle benchmarks and ductile tests.
Furthermore, we introduce a computational approach regarding mechanical loading in microscale on an inelastically deforming composite material. The nanocomposites material of fully exfoliated clay/epoxy is shaped to predict macroscopic elastic and fracture related material parameters based on their fine–scale features. Two different configurations of polymer nanocomposites material (PNCs) have been studied. These configurations are fully bonded PNCs and PNCs with an interphase zone formation between the matrix and the clay reinforcement. The representative volume element of PNCs specimens with different clay weight contents, different aspect ratios, and different
interphase zone thicknesses are generated by adopting Python scripting. Different constitutive models are employed for the matrix, the clay platelets, and the interphase zones. The brittle fracture behavior of the epoxy matrix and the interphase zones material are modeled using the phase field approach, whereas the stiff silicate clay platelets of the composite are designated as a linear elastic material. The comprehensive study investigates the elastic and fracture behavior of PNCs composites, in addition to predict Young’s modulus, tensile strength, fracture toughness, surface energy dissipation, and cracks surface area in the composite for different material parameters, geometry, and interphase zones properties and thicknesses.
Parallele Netzgenerierung
(1997)
Bei der Berechnung von statischen oder dynamischen Problemen mit Hilfe der Methode der Finiten Elemente ist eine Diskretisierung des zu berechnenden Gebietes notwendig. Bei einer sinnvollen Modellierung des Gebietes ist die Elementgröße meist nicht konstant, sondern ist an kritischen Stellen kleiner. Die Vorgaben hierfür können einerseits aus Erfahrungen des Anwenders, andererseits aus einer Fehlerabschätzung einer vorangegangenen FE-Berechnung resultieren [5]. Soll die FE-Berechnung auf einem Parallelrechner geschehen, ist eine Partitionierung des Gebietes, d.h. eine Zuordnung der Elemente zu den Prozessoren, notwendig. Bei dem hier beschriebenen Ansatz werden nun im Gegensatz zu den üblichen Verfahren erst die Eingangsdaten für den Netzgenerator umgewandelt und dann das Elementnetz direkt auf dem Parallelrecher gleichzeitig auf allen Prozessoren erzeugt. Eine Aufteilung der Elemente auf die Prozessoren entsteht als Nebenprodukt der Netzaufteilung. Die entstehenden Teilgebietsgrenzen werden geometrisch minimiert. Die Lastbalance der Netzaufteilung sowie der FE-Rechnung wird durch ein annähernd gleiche Anzahl der Elemente je Partition gewährleistet. Als Eingabedaten wird eine Beschreibung des Gebietes durch Polygonzüge, sowie einer Netzdichtefunktion, z.B. durch Punkte mit Angaben über die angestrebte Elementgröße, benötigt.
The optimization of continuous structures requires careful attention to discretization errors. Compared to ordinary low order formulation (h-elements) in conjunction with an adaptive mesh refinement in each optimization step, the use of high order finite elements (so called p-elements) has several advantages. However, compared to the h-method a higher order finite element analysis program poses higher demands from a software engineering point of view. In this article the basics of an object oriented higher order finite element system especially tailored to the use in structural optimization is presented. Besides the design of the system, aspects related to the employed implementation language Java are discussed.
Auf der Basis der Literaturrecherche wird in dieser Arbeit eine 5-lagige MAG-geschweißte Stumpfnaht an austenitisch-ferritischen Stahl X2CrNiMoN22-5-3 (Duplex-Stahl 1.4462) mit dem FE-Programm „SYSWELD®“ simuliert. Die Berech-nungen der Temperaturfelder werden unter der Berücksichtigung sowohl von tempe-raturunabhängigen als auch temperaturabhängigen thermophysikalischen Material-eigenschaften am drei-dimensionalen und zwei-dimensionalen Modell durchgeführt. Die berechneten Temperatur-Zeit-Verläufe und Gefügeumwandlungen beim MAG-Schweißen der Stumpfnaht werden hinsichtlich der Einflüsse und Veränderun-gen analysiert und die ermittelten Abkühlzeiten t12/8 werden für jede Schweißlage bewertet. Anschließend werden die Berechnungen des Eigenspannungszustandes für einzelne Schweißlagen untersucht.
Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird ein in das FE-Programmsystem ANSYS implementiertes elastoplastisches Berechnungsmodell zur nichtlinearen, räumlichen Untersuchung von Mauerwerkstrukturen vorgestellt. Die Modellierung des heterogenen Baustoffs Mauerwerk erfolgt mit Hilfe eines verschmierten Ersatzkontinuums. Das anisotrope Materialverhalten wird sowohl hinsichtlich der Spannungs-Dehnungsbeziehung als auch bei der Beschreibung der Festigkeit berücksichtigt. Durch die Verwendung einer zusammengesetzten Fließbedingung ist es möglich, das Versagen der einzelnen Mauerwerkkomponenten Stein und Mörtelfugen und des Verbundes zu berücksichtigen. Dadurch ist die Anwendbarkeit des Modells für mehrere Mauerwerksarten gegeben. Die hierfür verwendeten Materialparameter sind aus einfachen Kleinkörperversuchen bestimmbar oder innerhalb gewisser Grenzen aus empirischen Formeln berechenbar. Die notwendige Beschränkung der Anzahl der Materialparameter sichert die praktische Anwendbarkeit des entwickelten Berechnungsmodells. Die numerische Umsetzung des hier verwendeten impliziten Berechnungsverfahrens lässt sich in eine lokale und eine globale Iterationsebene gliedern. Die lokale Iteration am Integrationspunkt dient der Spannungsrückführung. Dabei sind die Besonderheiten der Verarbeitung mehrflächiger Fließfiguren zu beachten. Die globale Iteration auf Systemebene sichert die Umlagerung des Residuums. Mit der Nachrechnung von Versuchsergebnissen soll das entwickelte Modell verifiziert und seine physikalische Leistungsfähigkeit eingeschätzt werden.
Numerische Approximation makroskopischer Verkehrsmodelle mit der Methode der Finiten Elemente
(2000)
Makroskopische Verkehrsmodelle sind ein wesentliches Hilfsmittel bei der Beurteilung und Steuerung von Verkehrsflüssen auf Hauptverkehrsadern. Für die notwendige Beeinflussung des Verkehrsablaufs werden Online-Messungen und prognostische numerische Simulationen benötigt. Für die Simulationen bieten sich makroskopische Verkehrsmodelle an, die den Verkehr als kontinuierliche Fahrzeugströmeabbilden. Aufgrund der Analogie zu den Modellen der Strömungsmechanik lassen sich die numerischen Verfahren aus diesem Bereich auch zur Lösung makroskopischer Verkehrsmodelle verwenden. Es wird eine Finite-Elemente-Approximation für die numerische Umsetzung makroskopischer Verkehrsmodelle vorgestellt. Exemplarisch wird sie am Verkehrsmodell von Kerner und Konhäuser erläutert. Dieses und andere makroskopische Verkehrsmodelle wurden bisher mit der Methode der Finiten Differenzen gelöst. Die vorgestellte Approximation entspricht einem Petrov-Galerkin-Verfahren, bei dem der Fehler eines Standard-Galerkin-Verfahrens mit Hilfe eines Upwinding-Koeffizienten minimiert wird. Die Wahl des Upwinding-Koeffizienten ist übertragbar und basiert ausschließlich auf dem Charakter der zugrundeliegenden Gleichungen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen typische Phänomene eines Verkehrsablaufs wie die Entstehung von Stop-and-Go-Wellen oder Staus. Die Finite-Elemente-Methode erweist sich für unter-schiedlichste Verkehrsmodelle als ausgesprochen stabil.
Finite Element Simulations of dynamically excited structures are mainly influenced by the mass, stiffness, and damping properties of the system, as well as external loads. The prediction quality of dynamic simulations of vibration-sensitive components depends significantly on the use of appropriate damping models. Damping phenomena have a decisive influence on the vibration amplitude and the frequencies of the vibrating structure. However, developing realistic damping models is challenging due to the multiple sources that cause energy dissipation, such as material damping, different types of friction, or various interactions with the environment.
This thesis focuses on thermoelastic damping, which is the main cause of material damping in homogeneous materials. The effect is caused by temperature changes due to mechanical strains. In vibrating structures, temperature gradients arise in adjacent tension and compression areas. Depending on the vibration frequency, they result in heat flows, leading to increased entropy and the irreversible transformation of mechanical energy into thermal energy.
The central objective of this thesis is the development of efficient simulation methods to incorporate thermoelastic damping in finite element analyses based on modal superposition. The thermoelastic loss factor is derived from the structure's mechanical mode shapes and eigenfrequencies. In subsequent analyses that are performed in the time and frequency domain, it is applied as modal damping.
Two approaches are developed to determine the thermoelastic loss in thin-walled plate structures, as well as three-dimensional solid structures. The realistic representation of the dissipation effects is verified by comparing the simulation results with experimentally determined data. Therefore, an experimental setup is developed to measure material damping, excluding other sources of energy dissipation.
The three-dimensional solid approach is based on the determination of the generated entropy and therefore the generated heat per vibration cycle, which is a measure for thermoelastic loss in relation to the total strain energy. For thin plate structures, the amount of bending energy in a modal deformation is calculated and summarized in the so-called Modal Bending Factor (MBF). The highest amount of thermoelastic loss occurs in the state of pure bending. Therefore, the MBF enables a quantitative classification of the mode shapes concerning the thermoelastic damping potential.
The results of the developed simulations are in good agreement with the experimental results and are appropriate to predict thermoelastic loss factors. Both approaches are based on modal superposition with the advantage of a high computational efficiency. Overall, the modeling of thermoelastic damping represents an important component in a comprehensive damping model, which is necessary to perform realistic simulations of vibration processes.
The main purpose of the thesis is to ensure the safe demolition of old guyed antenna masts that are located in different parts of Germany. The major problem in demolition of this masts is the falling down of the masts in unexpected direction because of buckling problem. The objective of this thesis is development of a numerical models using finite element method (FEM) and assuring a controlled collapse by coming up with different time setups for the detonation of explosives which are responsible for cutting down the cables. The result of this thesis will avoid unexpected outcomes during the demolition processes and prevent risk of collapsing of the mast over near by structures.
The dynamic behaviour of shells, which are widely used in construction and mechanical engineering as critical components of machinery and 3-D structures, under static and dynamic loadings is described by system of deep nonlinear differential equations. Solution of these equations can be received with assistance of technique basing on a modern numerical algorithms and computer modeling.. The system of nonlinear differential equations of vibration of the shells is proposed taking into account the inertia forces in the tangential and normal directions. Its solution is based on combination of parameter prolongation method, finite-difference method and the Newton-Kantorovich iterative algorithm that allows plotting the loading trajectories and determination of bifurcation points on them. Package of Applied Programs >SEVSOR< is a computation means to be used in research of deformation, stability and vibration in thin axically-symmetric shells of complicated shape Input data include information on shell geometry, physical and mechanical properties, bearing conditions, types of loadings and load application. Frame output of motion forms in real time or either in decelerated or accelerated time scales for creating cartoons or video films is used for analysis of the compound dynamic processes in shell-type structures.
The worldwide growth of communication networks and associated technologies provide the basic infrastructure for new ways of executing the engineering process. Collaboration amongst team members seperated in time and location is of particular importance. Two broad themes can be recognized in research pertaining to distributed collaboration. One theme focusses on the technical and technological aspects of distributed work, while the other emphasises human aspects thereof. The case of finite element structural analysis in a distributed collaboratory is examined in this paper. An approach is taken which has its roots in human aspects of the structural analysis task. Based on experience of how structural engineers currently approach and execute this task while utilising standard software designed for use on local workstations only, criteria are stated for a software architechture that could support collaborative structural analysis. Aspects of a pilot application and the results of qualitative performance measurements are discussed.
Dynamic testing for damage assessment as non-destructive method has attracted growing in-terest for systematic inspections and maintenance of civil engineering structures. In this con-text the paper presents the Stochastic Finite Element (SFE) Modeling of the static and dy-namic results of own four point bending experiments with R/C beams. The beams are dam-aged by an increasing load. Between the load levels the dynamic properties are determined. Calculated stiffness loss factors for the displacements and the natural frequencies show differ-ent histories. A FE Model for the beams is developed with a discrete crack formulation. Cor-related random fields are used for structural parameters stiffness and tension strength. The idea is to simulate different crack evolutions. The beams have the same design parameters, but because of the stochastic material properties their undamaged state isn't yet the same. As the structure is loaded a stochastic first crack occurs on the weakest place of the structure. The further crack evolution is also stochastic. These is a great advantage compared with de-terministic formulations. To reduce the computational effort of the Monte Carlo simulation of this nonlinear problem the Latin-Hypercube sampling technique is applied. From the results functions of mean value and standard deviation of displacements and frequencies are calcu-lated. Compared with the experimental results some qualitative phenomena are good de-scribed by the model. Differences occurs especially in the dynamic behavior of the higher load levels. Aim of the investigations is to assess the possibilities of dynamic testing under consideration of effects from stochastic material properties
We conducted extensive molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the thermal conductivity of polycrystalline hexagonal boron-nitride (h-BN) films. To this aim, we constructed large atomistic models of polycrystalline h-BN sheets with random and uniform grain configuration. By performing equilibrium molecular dynamics (EMD) simulations, we investigated the influence of the average grain size on the thermal conductivity of polycrystalline h-BN films at various temperatures. Using the EMD results, we constructed finite element models of polycrystalline h-BN sheets to probe the thermal conductivity of samples with larger grain sizes. Our multiscale investigations not only provide a general viewpoint regarding the heat conduction in h-BN films but also propose that polycrystalline h-BN sheets present high thermal conductivity comparable to monocrystalline sheets.
Methods based on B-splines for model representation, numerical analysis and image registration
(2015)
The thesis consists of inter-connected parts for modeling and analysis using newly developed isogeometric methods. The main parts are reproducing kernel triangular B-splines, extended isogeometric analysis for solving weakly discontinuous problems, collocation methods using superconvergent points, and B-spline basis in image registration applications.
Each topic is oriented towards application of isogeometric analysis basis functions to ease the process of integrating the modeling and analysis phases of simulation.
First, we develop reproducing a kernel triangular B-spline-based FEM for solving PDEs. We review the triangular B-splines and their properties. By definition, the triangular basis function is very flexible in modeling complicated domains. However, instability results when it is applied for analysis. We modify the triangular B-spline by a reproducing kernel technique, calculating a correction term for the triangular kernel function from the chosen surrounding basis. The improved triangular basis is capable to obtain the results with higher accuracy and almost optimal convergence rates.
Second, we propose an extended isogeometric analysis for dealing with weakly discontinuous problems such as material interfaces. The original IGA is combined with XFEM-like enrichments which are continuous functions themselves but with discontinuous derivatives. Consequently, the resulting solution space can approximate solutions with weak discontinuities. The method is also applied to curved material interfaces, where the inverse mapping and the curved triangular elements are considered.
Third, we develop an IGA collocation method using superconvergent points. The collocation methods are efficient because no numerical integration is needed. In particular when higher polynomial basis applied, the method has a lower computational cost than Galerkin methods. However, the positions of the collocation points are crucial for the accuracy of the method, as they affect the convergent rate significantly. The proposed IGA collocation method uses superconvergent points instead of the traditional Greville abscissae points. The numerical results show the proposed method can have better accuracy and optimal convergence rates, while the traditional IGA collocation has optimal convergence only for even polynomial degrees.
Lastly, we propose a novel dynamic multilevel technique for handling image registration. It is application of the B-spline functions in image processing. The procedure considered aims to align a target image from a reference image by a spatial transformation. The method starts with an energy function which is the same as a FEM-based image registration. However, we simplify the solving procedure, working on the energy function directly. We dynamically solve for control points which are coefficients of B-spline basis functions. The new approach is more simple and fast. Moreover, it is also enhanced by a multilevel technique in order to prevent instabilities. The numerical testing consists of two artificial images, four real bio-medical MRI brain and CT heart images, and they show our registration method is accurate, fast and efficient, especially for large deformation problems.
In this paper we consider modelling of composite material with inclusions where the elastic material properties of both matrix and inclusions are uncertain and vary within prescribed bounds. Such mechanical systems, involving interval uncertainties and modelled by finite element method, can be described by parameter dependent systems of linear interval equations and process variables depending on the system solution. A newly developed hybrid interval approach for solving parametric interval linear systems is applied to the considered model and the results are compared to other interval methods. The hybrid approach provides very sharp bounds for the process variables - element strains and stresses. The sources for overestimation when dealing with interval computations are demonstrated. Based on the element strains and stresses, we introduce a definition for the values of nodal strains and stresses by using a set-theoretic approach.
Matrix-free voxel-based finite element method for materials with heterogeneous microstructures
(2019)
Modern image detection techniques such as micro computer tomography
(μCT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provide us with high resolution images of the microstructure of materials in a non-invasive and convenient way. They form the basis for the geometrical models of high-resolution analysis, so called image-based analysis.
However especially in 3D, discretizations of these models reach easily the size of 100 Mill. degrees of freedoms and require extensive hardware resources in terms of main memory and computing power to solve the numerical model. Consequently, the focus of this work is to combine and adapt numerical solution methods to reduce the memory demand first and then the computation time and therewith enable an execution of the image-based analysis on modern computer desktops. Hence, the numerical model is a straightforward grid discretization of the voxel-based (pixels with a third dimension) geometry which omits the boundary detection algorithms and allows reduced storage of the finite element data structure and a matrix-free solution algorithm.
This in turn reduce the effort of almost all applied grid-based solution techniques and results in memory efficient and numerically stable algorithms for the microstructural models. Two variants of the matrix-free algorithm are presented. The efficient iterative solution method of conjugate gradients is used with matrix-free applicable preconditioners such as the Jacobi and the especially suited multigrid method. The jagged material boundaries of the voxel-based mesh are smoothed through embedded boundary elements which contain different material information at the integration point and are integrated sub-cell wise though without additional boundary detection. The efficiency of the matrix-free methods can be retained.
The influence of vortex-induces vibrations on vertical tie rods has been proved as a determinant load factor in the lifetime-oriented dimensioning of arched steel bridges. Particularly, the welded connection plates between the suspenders and the arches often exhibit cracks induced primarily rods. In this context, the synchronization of the vortex-shedding to the rod motion in a critical wind velocity range, the so-called lock-in effect, is of essential interest.
A large-scale computer modeling and simulation method is presented for environmental flows in urban area. Several GIS and CAD data were used for the preparation of shape model and an automatic mesh generation method based on Delaunay method was developed. Parallel finite element method based on domain decomposition method was employed for the numerical simulation of natural phenomena. The present method was applied to the simulation of flood flow and wind flow in urban area. The present method is shown to be a useful planning and design tool for the natural disasters and the change of environments.
The Finite Element Method (FEM) is widely used in engineering for solving Partial Differential Equations (PDEs) over complex geometries. To this end, it is required to provide the FEM software with a geometric model that is typically constructed in a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software. However, FEM and CAD use different approaches for the mathematical description of the geometry. Thus, it is required to generate a mesh, which is suitable for FEM, based on the CAD model. Nonetheless, this procedure is not a trivial task and it can be time consuming. This issue becomes more significant for solving shape and topology optimization problems, which consist in evolving the geometry iteratively. Therefore, the computational cost associated to the mesh generation process is increased exponentially for this type of applications.
The main goal of this work is to investigate the integration of CAD and CAE in shape and topology optimization. To this end, numerical tools that close the gap between design and analysis are presented. The specific objectives of this work are listed below:
• Automatize the sensitivity analysis in an isogeometric framework for applications in shape optimization. Applications for linear elasticity are considered.
• A methodology is developed for providing a direct link between the CAD model and the analysis mesh. In consequence, the sensitivity analysis can be performed in terms of the design variables located in the design model.
• The last objective is to develop an isogeometric method for shape and topological optimization. This method should take advantage of using Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS) with higher continuity as basis functions.
Isogeometric Analysis (IGA) is a framework designed to integrate the design and analysis in engineering problems. The fundamental idea of IGA is to use the same basis functions for modeling the geometry, usually NURBS, for the approximation of the solution fields. The advantage of integrating design and analysis is two-fold. First, the analysis stage is more accurate since the system of PDEs is not solved using an approximated geometry, but the exact CAD model. Moreover, providing a direct link between the design and analysis discretizations makes possible the implementation of efficient sensitivity analysis methods. Second, the computational time is significantly reduced because the mesh generation process can be avoided.
Sensitivity analysis is essential for solving optimization problems when gradient-based optimization algorithms are employed. Automatic differentiation can compute exact gradients, automatically by tracking the algebraic operations performed on the design variables. For the automation of the sensitivity analysis, an isogeometric framework is used. Here, the analysis mesh is obtained after carrying out successive refinements, while retaining the coarse geometry for the domain design. An automatic differentiation (AD) toolbox is used to perform the sensitivity analysis. The AD toolbox takes the code for computing the objective and constraint functions as input. Then, using a source code transformation approach, it outputs a code for computing the objective and constraint functions, and their sensitivities as well. The sensitivities obtained from the sensitivity propagation method are compared with analytical sensitivities, which are computed using a full isogeometric approach.
The computational efficiency of AD is comparable to that of analytical sensitivities. However, the memory requirements are larger for AD. Therefore, AD is preferable if the memory requirements are satisfied. Automatic sensitivity analysis demonstrates its practicality since it simplifies the work of engineers and designers.
Complex geometries with sharp edges and/or holes cannot easily be described with NURBS. One solution is the use of unstructured meshes. Simplex-elements (triangles and tetrahedra for two and three dimensions respectively) are particularly useful since they can automatically parameterize a wide variety of domains. In this regard, unstructured Bézier elements, commonly used in CAD, can be employed for the exact modelling of CAD boundary representations. In two dimensions, the domain enclosed by NURBS curves is parameterized with Bézier triangles. To describe exactly the boundary of a two-dimensional CAD model, the continuity of a NURBS boundary representation is reduced to C^0. Then, the control points are used to generate a triangulation such that the boundary of the domain is identical to the initial CAD boundary representation. Thus, a direct link between the design and analysis discretizations is provided and the sensitivities can be propagated to the design domain.
In three dimensions, the initial CAD boundary representation is given as a collection of NURBS surfaces that enclose a volume. Using a mesh generator (Gmsh), a tetrahedral mesh is obtained. The original surface is reconstructed by modifying the location of the control points of the tetrahedral mesh using Bézier tetrahedral elements and a point inversion algorithm. This method offers the possibility of computing the sensitivity analysis using the analysis mesh. Then, the sensitivities can be propagated into the design discretization. To reuse the mesh originally generated, a moving Bézier tetrahedral mesh approach was implemented.
A gradient-based optimization algorithm is employed together with a sensitivity propagation procedure for the shape optimization cases. The proposed shape optimization approaches are used to solve some standard benchmark problems in structural mechanics. The results obtained show that the proposed approach can compute accurate gradients and evolve the geometry towards optimal solutions. In three dimensions, the moving mesh approach results in faster convergence in terms of computational time and avoids remeshing at each optimization step.
For considering topological changes in a CAD-based framework, an isogeometric phase-field based shape and topology optimization is developed. In this case, the diffuse interface of a phase-field variable over a design domain implicitly describes the boundaries of the geometry. The design variables are the local values of the phase-field variable. The descent direction to minimize the objective function is found by using the sensitivities of the objective function with respect to the design variables. The evolution of the phase-field is determined by solving the time dependent Allen-Cahn equation.
Especially for topology optimization problems that require C^1 continuity, such as for flexoelectric structures, the isogeometric phase field method is of great advantage. NURBS can achieve the desired continuity more efficiently than the traditional employed functions. The robustness of the method is demonstrated when applied to different geometries, boundary conditions, and material configurations. The applications illustrate that compared to piezoelectricity, the electrical performance of flexoelectric microbeams is larger under bending. In contrast, the electrical power for a structure under compression becomes larger with piezoelectricity.