• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.203-221
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• 2008

In this paper, we present an idea of the geometry-dependent MITC method. The simple concept is exemplified to improve a 2-node iso-beam (isoparametric beam) finite element of varying section. We first study the behavior of a standard 2-node iso-beam finite element of prismatic section, which has been widely used with reduced integration (or the equivalent MITC method) in order to avoid shear locking. Based on analytical studies on cantilever beams of varying section, we propose the axial strain correction (ASC) scheme and the geometry-dependent tying (GDT) scheme for the 2-node iso-beam element. We numerically analyze varying section beam problems and present the improved performance by using both ASC and GDT schemes.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2018

In this study, a mixed-interpolated tensorial component 4 nodes method (MITC4) is treated as a numerical analysis model for topology optimization using multiple materials assigned within Reissner-Mindlin plates. Multi-material optimal topology and shape are produced as alternative plate retrofit designs to provide reasonable material assignments based on stress distributions. Element density distribution contours of mixing multiple material densities are linked to Solid Isotropic Material with Penalization (SIMP) as a design model. Mathematical formulation of multi-material topology optimization problem solving minimum compliance is an alternating active-phase algorithm with the Gauss-Seidel version as an optimization model of optimality criteria. Numerical examples illustrate the reliability and accuracy of the present design method for multi-material topology optimization with Reissner-Mindlin plates using MITC4 elements and steel materials.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.68 no.1
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• pp.17-38
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• 2018

In this paper, we compare and assess the performance of the standard 3- and 6-node MITC shell elements (Lee and Bathe 2004) with the recently developed MITC triangular elements (Lee et al. 2014, Jeon et al. 2014, Jun et al. 2018) which were based on the partitions of unity approximation, bubble node, or both. The convergence behavior of the shell elements are measured in well-known benchmark tests; four plane stress tests (mesh distortion test, cantilever beam, Cook's skew beam, and MacNeal beam), two plate tests (Morley's skew plate and circular plate), and six shell tests (curved beam, twisted beam, pinched cylinder, hemispherical shells with or without hole, and Scordelis-Lo roof). To precisely compare and evaluate the solution accuracy of the shell elements, different triangular mesh patterns and distorted element mesh are adopted in the benchmark problems. All shell finite elements considered pass the basic tests; namely, the isotropy, the patch, and the zero energy mode tests.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2010.04a
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• pp.207-210
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• 2010

This paper presents an method, called the phantom-node method, for representing discontinuities in shell structures. By decomposing an element completely cut by a crack into two overlapped elements special treatment of the MITC3 shell element to overcome "locking phenomenon" is straightforward. Two numerical examples are provided.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2011.04a
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• pp.760-763
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• 2011

본 논문의 목적은 효율적인 3절점 판 유한요소를 개발하는 것이다. Hellinger-Reissner 범함수에 근거한 혼합정식화(mixed formulation)를 사용한다. 잠김현상을 일으키는 전단변형률장을 독립적으로 분리한 후, MITC(Mixed Interpolation of Tensorial Components)방법을 이용하여 대체전단변형률장(assumed transverse shear strain field)을 구성한다. 추가적으로 회전된 반변기저벡터(contravariant base vector)로 정의된 근사전단변형률장(approximated transverse shear strain field)에 미지수(unknowns)를 도입하여 혼합정식화를 완성시키고 정적응축(static condensation)을 통해 최종 강성행렬을 구성한다. 거짓영에너지모드시험(spurious zero energy mode test), 조각시험(patch test), 등방성시험(isotropic test) 등을 실시하였으며, 4변 완전구속 정사각형 판 구조물과 60도 기울어진 단순지지 판 구조물 등 예제들을 해석하여 MITC3판 유한요소와 수렴성능을 비교하였다.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.88 no.5
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• pp.439-449
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• 2023

Non-linear vibration characteristics of functionally graded CNT-reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) cylindrical shell panel on elastic foundation have not been sufficiently examined. In this situation, this study aims at the profound numerical investigation of the non-linear vibration response of FG-CNTRC cylindrical panels on Winkler-Pasternak foundation by introducing an accurate and effective 2-D meshfree-based non-linear numerical method. The large-amplitude free vibration problem is formulated according to the first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) with the von Karman non-linearity, and it is approximated by Laplace interpolation functions in 2-D natural element method (NEM) and a non-linear partial derivative operator H_NL. The complex and painstaking numerical derivation on the curved surface and the crucial shear locking are overcome by adopting the geometry transformation and the MITC3+ shell elements. The derived nonlinear modal equations are iteratively solved by introducing a three-step iterative solving technique which is combined with Lanczos transformation and Jacobi iteration. The developed non-linear numerical method is estimated through the benchmark test, and the effects of foundation stiffness, CNT volume fraction and functionally graded pattern, panel dimensions and boundary condition on the non-linear vibration of FG-CNTRC cylindrical panels on elastic foundation are parametrically investigated.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.633-649
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• 2022

This paper is first implemented with the bending behavior of three-dimensional functionally graded (3DFG) plates in the framework of level set-based topology optimization (LS-based TO). Besides, due to the suitable properties of the current design domain, the thin-plate spline (TPS) is recognized as a RBF to construct the LS function. The overall mechanical properties of the 3DFG plate are assessed using a power-law distribution scheme via Mori-Tanaka micromechanical material model. The bending response is obtained using the first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT). The mixed interpolation of four elements of tensorial components (MITC4) is also implemented to overcome a well-known shear locking problem when the thickness becomes thinner. The Hamilton-Jacobi method is utilized in each iteration to enforce the necessary boundary conditions. The mathematical formulas are expressed in great detail for the LS-based TO using 3DFG materials. Several numerical examples are exhibited to verify the efficiency and reliability of the current methodology with the previously reported literature. Finally, the influences of FG materials in the optimized design are explained in detail to illustrate the behaviors of optimized structures.

• Journal of the Society of Naval Architects of Korea
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.116-127
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• 1999

Line heating is a method widely used in forming ship hull surface. From the viewpoint of mechanics it is large deformation thermal elasto-plastic problem of arbitrary shaped plate. Many researches have been carried out to resolve this problem. Especially, Jang et al.[1] proposed a simplified thermal elasto-plastic analysis method to predict effectively the deformation of plate due to line heating. In this paper, we improved the method of Jang et al.[1] by considering tension yielding in temperature decreasing stage and verified with experimental results. FEA program using MITC4 degenerated shell element was made to deal with elastic large deformation problem. The newly proposed method can be used in the simulation and control of forming hull surface for higher productivity with simplicity and efficiency.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.73 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2020

Finite elements based on the partition of unity (PU) approximation have powerful capabilities for p-adaptivity and solutions with high smoothness without remeshing of the domain. Recently, the PU approximation was successfully applied to the three-node shell finite element, properly eliminating transverse shear locking and showing excellent convergence properties and solution accuracy. However, the enrichment with the PU approximation results in a significant increase in the number of degrees of freedom; therefore, it requires greater computational cost, thus making it less suitable for practical engineering. To circumvent this disadvantage, we propose a new strategy to decrease the total number of degrees of freedom in the existing PU-based shell element, without loss of optimal convergence and accuracy. To alleviate the locking phenomenon, we use the method of mixed interpolation of tensorial components and perform convergence studies to show the accuracy and capability of the proposed shell element. The excellent performances of the new shell elements are illustrated in three benchmark problems.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.583-597
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• 2023

This paper introduces a novel approach to multi-material topology optimization (MTO) targeting in-plane bi-directional functionally graded (IBFG) non-uniform thickness Reissner-Mindlin plates, employing an alternative active phase approach. The mathematical formulation integrates a first shear deformation theory (FSDT) to address compliance minimization as the objective function. Through an alternating active-phase algorithm in conjunction with the block Gauss-Seidel method, the study transforms a multi-phase topology optimization challenge with multi-volume fraction constraints into multiple binary phase sub-problems, each with a single volume fraction constraint. The investigation focuses on IBFG materials that incorporate adequate local bulk and shear moduli to enhance the precision of material interactions. Furthermore, the well-established mixed interpolation of tensorial components 4-node elements (MITC4) is harnessed to tackle shear-locking issues inherent in thin plate models. The study meticulously presents detailed mathematical formulations for IBFG plates in the MTO framework, underscored by numerous numerical examples demonstrating the method's efficiency and reliability.