• 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.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.719-730
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• 2007

This study presents a thin-walled space frame element based on the classical Timoshenko beam theory. The element is derived according to the assumed strain field in order to resolve the shear-locking phenomenon. The shape function is developed in accordance with the strain field which is assumed to be constant at a 2-noded straight frame element. In this study, the geometrically nonlinear analysis applies the Corotational procedure in order to evaluate unbalanced loads. The bowing effect is also considered faithfully. Two numerical examples are given; monosymmetric curved and nonsymmetric straight cantilever. When these example structures behave lateral-torsional bucking, the critical loads are obtained by this study and ABAQUS shell elements. Also, the post-buckling behavior is examined. The results give good agreement between this study and ABAQUS shell.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.607-622
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• 1999

Being a significant mode of deformation, shear effect in addition to the other modes of stretching and bending have been considered to develop two finite element models for the analysis of beams on elastic foundation. The first beam model is developed utilizing the differential-equation approach; in which the complex variables obtained from the solution of the differential equations are used as interpolation functions for the displacement field in this beam element. A single element is sufficient to exactly represent a continuous part of a beam on Winkler foundation for cases involving end-loadings, thus providing a benchmark solution to validate the other model developed. The second beam model is developed utilizing the hybrid-mixed formulation, i.e., Hellinger-Reissner variational principle; in which both displacement and stress fields for the beam as well as the foundation are approxmated separately in order to eliminate the well-known phenomenon of shear locking, as well as the newly-identified problem of "foundation-locking" that can arise in cases involving foundations with extreme rigidities. This latter model is versatile and indented for utilization in general applications; i.e., for thin-thick beams, general loadings, and a wide variation of the underlying foundation rigidity with respect to beam stiffness. A set of numerical examples are given to demonstrate and assess the performance of the developed beam models in practical applications involving shear deformation effect.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.367-371
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• 2001

In the shape optimization based on the finite element method, the accuracy of finite element analysis of a given structure is important to determine the final shape. In case of a bending dominant problem, finite element solutions by the full integration scheme are not reliable because of the locking phenomenon. Furthermore, in the process of shape optimization, the mesh distortion is large due to the change of the structure outline: therefore, we cannot guarantee the accurate result unless the finite element itself is accurate. We approach to more accurate shape optimization to diminish these inaccuracies by improving the existing finite element. The shape optimization using the modified finite element is applied to a two-dimensional simple beam. Results show that the modified finite element have improved the optimization results.

• Computational Structural Engineering
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.139-148
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• 1997

A finite element method is programmed to analyse the nonlinear behavior of axisymmetric structures. The lst order Mindlin shell theory which takes into account the transversal shear deformation is used to formulate a conical two node element with six degrees of freedom. To evade the shear locking phenomenon which arises in Mindlin type element when the effect of shear deformation tends to zero, the reduced integration of one point Gauss Quadrature at the center of element is employed. This method is the Updated Lagrangian formulation which refers the variables to the state of the most recent iteration. The solution is searched by Newton-Raphson iteration method. The tangent matrix of this method is obtained by a finite difference method by perturbating the degrees of freedom with small values. For the moment this program is limited to the analyses of non-linear elastic problems. For structures which could have elastic stability problem, the calculation is controled by displacement.

• 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.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.1-10
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• 1988

A higher order plate bending finite element using cubic in-plane displacement profiles is proposed for geometrically nonlinear analysis of thin and thick plates. The higher order plate bending element has been derived from the three dimensional plate-like continuum by discretization of the equations of motion by Galerkin weighted residual method, together with enforcing higher order plate assumptions. Total Lagrangian formulation has been used for geometrically nonlinear analysis of plates and consistent linearization by Newton-Raphson method has been performed to solve the nonlinear equations. The element characteristics have been computed by, selective reduced integration technique using Gauss quadrature to avoid shear locking phenomenon in case of extremely thin plates. Several numerical examples were solved with FEAP macro program to demonstrate versatility and accuracy of the present higher order plate bending element.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.311-320
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• 2005

In this paper an enhanced quadratic finite element for static and dynamic analysis of plate structures is presented. The performance of a proposed plate element is improved by the coupled use of non conforming displacement modes, the selective integration scheme, and the assumed shear strain fields. An efficient direct modification method is also applied to this element to solve the problem such as failure of the patch test due to the adoption of non conforming modes. The proposed quadratic finite element does not show any spurious mechanism and does not produce shear locking phenomena even with distorted meshes. It is shown that the results obtained by this element converged to analytical solutions very rapidly tough numerical tests for standard benchmark problems. It is also noted that this element is applicable to transient dynamic analysis of Mindlin plates.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.419-429
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• 1992

본 연구에서는 면외 변형이 가능한 평면 곡선보에 수정 형상함수를 적용하여 탈락성 및 지속성 에너지에 포함된 가성구속에 의한 수치해의 거동을 고찰함과 동시에, 가성구속에 의한 오차 발생 요인이 제거된, 면외 변형이 가능한 평면 곡선보의 선형 요소를 제안하고자 한다.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.255-262
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• 2013

In this paper, a shape design sensitivity analysis(DSA) method is presented for Mindlin plates using an isogeometric approach. The isogeometric method possesses desirable advantages; the representation of exact geometry and the higher order inter-element continuity, which lead to the fast convergence of solution as well as accurate sensitivity results. Unlike the finite element methods using linear shape functions, the isogeometric method considers the exact normal vector and curvature of the CAD geometry, taking advantages of higher order NURBS basis functions. A selective reduced integration(SRI) technique is incorporated to overcome the difficulty of 'shear locking' phenomenon. This simple technique is surprisingly helpful for the accuracy of the isogeometric shape sensitivity without complicated formulation. Through the numerical examples of plate bending problems, the accuracy of the proposed isogeometric analysis method is compared with that of finite element one. Also, the isogeometric shape sensitivity turns out to be very accurate when compared with finite difference sensitivity.