Adaptive modeling of plate structures

V disertaciji se ukvarjamo z različnimi vidiki modeliranja ploskovnih konstrukcij s končnimi elementi. Modeliranje plošč je nekoliko specifično in je zaradi kompleksnosti in pojavov, ki jih opisuje, bistveno prispevalo k razvoju same metode končnih elementov. Danes je na voljo več uveljavljenih modelov plošč in pripadajočih končnih elementov, ki uporabniku nudijo široko množico možnosti, iz katere lahko izbira. Prav široka možnost izbire predstavlja tudi največjo težavo, saj je težje določiti, kateri model je primernejši in tudi, katera mreža končnih elementov je za dan problem optimalna. Glavni cilj disertacije je raziskati ključne korake v procesu prilagodljivega modeliranja plošč, ki omogoča samodejno določitev optimalnega modela za dan problem. Ker je prilagodljivo modeliranje odvisno od zanesljivih ocen napak, je večji del disertacije posvečen metodam za izračun diskretizacijske in modelske napake. Na praktičnih primerih smo preučili nekaj najbolj uveljavljenih metod za oceno napake. V nasprotju z ocenami napake diskretizacije, je modelsko napako mnogo težje določiti. Posebna pozornost je bila zato namenjena metodi uravnoteženja rezidualov, ki ima potencial tudi na področju ocene modelske napake. V tem smislu to delo predstavlja pomemben prispevek k področju računanja modelske napake za plošče. Koncept prilagodljivega modeliranja ploskovnih konstrukcij je bil preskušen na hierarhični družini končnih elementov za plošče - od tankih plošč do modelov višjega reda, ki upoštevajo deformacije po debelini. Ravno dobro vzpostavljena hierarhija v družini končnih elementov se je pokazala za ključno pri zanesljivi oceni modelske napake. Prilagodljivo modeliranje ploskovnih konstrukcije je bilo preskušeno na nekaj zahtevnejših primerih. Območje je bilo najprej modeliranjo z najbolj grobim modelom na sorazmerno redki mreži. Z uporabo informacije o napaki začetnega izračuna je bil zgrajen nov model. Primerjava izračuna na novem modelu z začetnim računom je pokazala, da je predlagan način prilagodljivega modeliranja sposoben nadzorovati porazdelitev napake, kakor tudi zajeti vse pomembnejše po- jave, ki so značilni za modeliranje plošč.The thesis deals with adaptive finite element modeling of plate structures. The finite element modeling of plates has grown to a mature research topic, which has contributed significantly to the development of the finite element method for structural analysis due to its complexity and inherently specific issues. At present, several validated plate models and corresponding families of working and efficient finite elements are available, offering a sound basis for an engineer to choose from. In our opinion, the main problems in the finite modeling of plates are nowadays related to the adaptive modeling. Adaptive modeling should reach much beyond standard discretization (finite element mesh) error estimates and related mesh (discretization) adaptivity. It should also include model error estimates and model adaptivity, which should provide the most appropriate mathematical model for a specific region of a structure. Thus in this work we study adaptive modeling for the case of plates. The primary goal of the thesis is to provide some answers to the questions related to the key steps in the process of adaptive modeling of plates. Since the adaptivity depends on reliable error estimates, a large part of the thesis is related to the derivation of computational procedures for discretization error estimates as well as model error estimates. A practical comparison of some of the established discretization error estimates is made. Special attention is paid to what is called equilibrated residuum method, which has a potential to be used both for discretization error and model error estimates. It should be emphasized that the model error estimates are quite hard to obtain, in contrast to the discretization error estimates. The concept of model adaptivity for plates is in this work implemented on the basis of equilibrated residuum method and hierarchic family of plate finite element models. The finite elements used in the thesis range from thin plate finite elements to thick plate finite elements. The latter are based on a newly derived higher order plate theory, which includes through the thickness stretching. The model error is estimated by local element-wise compu- tations. As all the finite elements, representing the chosen plate mathematical models, are re-derived in order to share the same interpolation bases, the difference between the local com- putations can be attributed mainly to the model error. This choice of finite elements enables effective computation of the model error estimate and improves the robustness of the adaptive modeling. Thus the discretization error can be computed by an independent procedure. Many numerical examples are provided as an illustration of performance of the derived plate elements, the derived discretization error procedures and the derived modeling error procedure. Since the basic goal of modeling in engineering is to produce an effective model, which will produce the most accurate results with the minimum input data, the need for the adaptive modeling will always be present. In this view, the present work is a contribution to the final goal of the finite element modeling of plate structures: a fully automatic adaptive procedure for the construction of an optimal computational model (an optimal finite element mesh and an optimal choice of a plate model for each element of the mesh) for a given plate structure. vii

Innovative Approaches to the Numerical Approximation of PDEs

This workshop was about the numerical solution of PDEs for which classical approaches, such as the finite element method, are not well suited or need further (theoretical) underpinnings. A prominent example of PDEs for which classical methods are not well suited are PDEs posed in high space dimensions. New results on low rank tensor approximation for those problems were presented. Other presentations dealt with regularity of PDEs, the numerical solution of PDEs on surfaces, PDEs of fractional order, numerical solvers for PDEs that converge with exponential rates, and the application of deep neural networks for solving PDEs

Static and dynamic global stiffness analysis for automotive pre-design

In order to be worldwide competitive, the automotive industry is constantly challenged to produce higher quality vehicles in the shortest time possible and with the minimum costs of production. Most of the problems with new products derive from poor quality design processes, which often leads to undesired issues in a stage where changes are extremely expensive. During the preliminary design phase, designers have to deal with complex parametric problems where material and geometric characteristics of the car components are unknown. Any change in these parameters might significantly affect the global behaviour of the car. A target which is very sensitive to small variations of the parameters is the noise and vibration response of the vehicle (NVH study), which strictly depends on its global static and dynamic stiffness. In order to find the optimal solution, a lot of configurations exploring all the possible parametric combinations need to be tested. The current state of the art in the automotive design context is still based on standard numerical simulations, which are computationally very expensive when applied to this kind of multidimensional problems. As a consequence, a limited number of configurations is usually analysed, leading to suboptimal products. An alternative is represented by reduced order method (ROM) techniques, which are based on the idea that the essential behaviour of complex systems can be accurately described by simplified low-order models.This thesis proposes a novel extension of the proper generalized decomposi-tion (PGD) method to optimize the design process of a car structure with respect to its global static and dynamic stiffness properties. In particular, the PGD method is coupled with the inertia relief (IR) technique and the inverse power method (IPM) to solve, respectively, the parametric static and dynamic stiffness analysis of an unconstrained car structure and extract its noise and vibrations properties. A main advantage is that, unlike many other ROM methods, the proposed approach does not require any pre-processing phase to collect prior knowledge of the solution. Moreover, the PGD solution is computed with only one offline computation and presents an explicit dependency on the introduced design variables. This allows to compute the solutions at a negligible computational cost and therefore opens the door to fast optimisation studies and real-time visualisations of the results in a pre-defined range of parameters. A novel algebraic approach is also proposed which allows to involve both material and com-plex geometric parameters, such that shape optimisation studies can be performed. In addition, the method is developed in a nonintrusive format, such that an interaction with commercial software is possible, which makes it particularly interesting for industrial applications. Finally, in order to support the designers in the decision-making process, a graphical interface app is developed which allows to visualise in real-time how changes in the design variables affect pre-defined quantities of interest

Violation of the fluctuation-dissipation theorem in glassy systems: basic notions and the numerical evidence

This review reports on the research done during the past years on violations of the fluctuation-dissipation theorem (FDT) in glassy systems. It is focused on the existence of a quasi-fluctuation-dissipation theorem (QFDT) in glassy systems and the currently supporting knowledge gained from numerical simulation studies. It covers a broad range of non-stationary aging and stationary driven systems such as structural-glasses, spin-glasses, coarsening systems, ferromagnetic models at criticality, trap models, models with entropy barriers, kinetically constrained models, sheared systems and granular media. The review is divided into four main parts: 1) An introductory section explaining basic notions related to the existence of the FDT in equilibrium and its possible extension to the glassy regime (QFDT), 2) A description of the basic analytical tools and results derived in the framework of some exactly solvable models, 3) A detailed report of the current evidence in favour of the QFDT and 4) A brief digression on the experimental evidence in its favour. This review is intended for inexpert readers who want to learn about the basic notions and concepts related to the existence of the QFDT as well as for the more expert readers who may be interested in more specific results.Comment: 120 pages, 37 figures. Topical review paper . Several typos and misprints corrected, new references included and others updated. to be published in J. Phys. A (Math. Gen.

The variational approach to fracture

International audienceIn this tract, we offer a panorama of the variational approach to brittle fracture that has developed in the past eight years or so. The key concept dates back to Griffith and consists in viewing crack growth as the result of a competition between bulk and surface energy. We revisit Griffith's insight in the light of the contemporary tools of the Calculus of Variations. We also import Barenblatt's contributions and always strive to gauge the respective merits of both types of surface energy. The advocated variational approach provides an incisive picture of initiation and propagation whose features are detailed. The material is mathematical in nature, but not overly preoccupied with technicalities. An effort is being made to connect the approach with more classical treatments of fracture, and to illustrate the results in simple test settings, or through relevant numerical simulations

The Quantum Adiabatic Algorithm applied to random optimization problems: the quantum spin glass perspective

Among various algorithms designed to exploit the specific properties of quantum computers with respect to classical ones, the quantum adiabatic algorithm is a versatile proposition to find the minimal value of an arbitrary cost function (ground state energy). Random optimization problems provide a natural testbed to compare its efficiency with that of classical algorithms. These problems correspond to mean field spin glasses that have been extensively studied in the classical case. This paper reviews recent analytical works that extended these studies to incorporate the effect of quantum fluctuations, and presents also some original results in this direction.Comment: 151 pages, 21 figure