Constructing IGA-suitable planar parameterization from complex CAD boundary by domain partition and global/local optimization

In this paper, we propose a general framework for constructing IGA-suitable planar B-spline parameterizations from given complex CAD boundaries consisting of a set of B-spline curves. Instead of forming the computational domain by a simple boundary, planar domains with high genus and more complex boundary curves are considered. Firstly, some pre-processing operations including B\'ezier extraction and subdivision are performed on each boundary curve in order to generate a high-quality planar parameterization; then a robust planar domain partition framework is proposed to construct high-quality patch-meshing results with few singularities from the discrete boundary formed by connecting the end points of the resulting boundary segments. After the topology information generation of quadrilateral decomposition, the optimal placement of interior B\'ezier curves corresponding to the interior edges of the quadrangulation is constructed by a global optimization method to achieve a patch-partition with high quality. Finally, after the imposition of C1=G1-continuity constraints on the interface of neighboring B\'ezier patches with respect to each quad in the quadrangulation, the high-quality B\'ezier patch parameterization is obtained by a C1-constrained local optimization method to achieve uniform and orthogonal iso-parametric structures while keeping the continuity conditions between patches. The efficiency and robustness of the proposed method are demonstrated by several examples which are compared to results obtained by the skeleton-based parameterization approach

Fundamental solutions and dual boundary element methods for fracture in plane Cosserat elasticity

In this paper, both singular and hypersingular fundamental solutions of plane Cosserat elasticity are derived and given in a ready-to-use form. The hypersingular fundamental solutions allow to formulate the analogue of Somigliana stress identity, which can be used to obtain the stress and couple-stress fields inside the domain from the boundary values of the displacements, microrotation and stress and couple-stress tractions. Using these newly derived fundamental solutions, the boundary integral equations of both types are formulated and solved by the boundary element method. Simultaneous use of both types of equations (approach known as the dual boundary element method (BEM)) allows problems where parts of the boundary are overlapping, such as crack problems, to be treated and to do this for general geometry and loading conditions. The high accuracy of the boundary element method for both types of equations is demonstrated for a number of benchmark problems, including a Griffith crack problem and a plate with an edge crack. The detailed comparison of the BEM results and the analytical solution for a Griffith crack and an edge crack is given, particularly in terms of stress and couple-stress intensity factors, as well as the crack opening displacements and microrotations on the crack faces and the angular distributions of stresses and couple-stresses around the crack tip

Stable 3D extended finite elements with higher order enrichment for accurate non planar fracture

An extended finite element method (XFEM) for three dimensional (3D) non-planar linear elastic fracture is introduced, which provides optimal convergence through the use of enrichment in a fixed area around the crack front, while also improving the conditioning of the resulting system matrices. This is achieved by fusing a novel form of enrichment with existing blending techniques. Further, the adoption of higher order terms of the Williams expansion is also considered and the effects in the accuracy and conditioning of the method are studied. Moreover, some problems regarding the evaluation of stress intensity factors (SIFs) and element partitioning are dealt with. The accuracy and convergence properties of the method as well as the conditioning of the resulting stiffness matrices are investigated through the use of appropriate benchmark problems. It is shown that the proposed approach provides increased accuracy while requiring, for all cases considered, a reduced number of iterations for the solution of the resulting systems of equations. The positive impact of geometrical enrichment is further demonstrated in the accuracy of the computed SIFs where, for the examined cases, an improvement of up to 40% is achieved

Implementation of regularized isogeometric boundary element methods for gradient-based shape optimization in two-dimensional linear elasticity

The present work addresses shape sensitivity analysis and optimization in two-dimensional elasticity with a regularized isogeometric boundary element method (IGABEM). Non-uniform rational B-splines are used both for the geometry and the basis functions to discretize the regularized boundary integral equations. With the advantage of tight integration of design and analysis, the application of IGABEM in shape optimization reduces the mesh generation/regeneration burden greatly. The work is distinct from the previous literatures in IGABEM shape optimization mainly in two aspects: (1) the structural and sensitivity analysis takes advantage of the regularized form of the boundary integral equations, eliminating completely the need of evaluating strongly singular integrals and jump terms and their shape derivatives, which were the main implementation difficulty in IGABEM, and (2) although based on the same Computer Aided Design (CAD) model, the mesh for structural and shape sensitivity analysis is separated from the geometrical design mesh, thus achieving a balance between less design variables for efficiency and refined mesh for accuracy. This technique was initially used in isogeometric finite element method and was incorporated into the present IGABEM implementation

A Discrete Droplet Method for Modelling Thin Film Flows

In this paper, we present a new model to simulate the formation, evolution, and break up of a thin film of fluid flowing over a curved surface. Referred to as the discrete droplet method (DDM), the model captures the evolution of thin fluid films by tracking individual moving fluid droplets. In contrast to existing thin film models that solve a PDE to determine the film height, here, we compute the film height by numerical integration based on the aggregation of droplets. The novelty of this approach in using droplets makes it suitable for simulating the formation of fluid films, and modelling thin film flows on partially wetted surfaces. The DDM is a Lagrangian approach, with a force balance on each droplet governing the motion, and derivatives approximated using a smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) like approach. The proposed model is thoroughly validated by comparing results against analytical solutions, against the results of the shallow-water equations for thin film flow, and also against results from a full 3D resolved Navier Stokes model. We also present the use of the DDM on an industrial test case. The results highlight the effectiveness of the model for simulations of flows with thin films

Minimum energy multiple crack propagation. Part I: Theory and state of the art review

The three-part paper deals with energy-minimal multiple crack propagation in a linear elastic solid under quasi-static conditions. The principle of minimum total energy, i.e. the sum of the potential and fracture energies, which stems directly from the Griffith’s theory of cracks, is applied to the problem of arbitrary crack growth in 2D. The proposed formulation enables minimisation of the total energy of the mechanical system with respect to the crack extension directions and crack extension lengths to solve for the evolution of the mechanical system over time. The three parts focus, in turn, on (I) the theory of multiple crack growth including competing cracks, (II) the discrete solution by the extended finite element method using the minimum-energy formulation, and (III) the aspects of computer implementation within the Matlab programming language. The key contributions of Part-I of this three-part paper are given as follows. (1) Formulation of the total energy functional governing multiple crack behaviour. (2) Three solution methods to the problem of competing crack growth for different fracture front stabilities, e.g. stable, unstable, or partially stable crack tip configurations; we compare our approach to Budyn et al. (2004) and demonstrate via example cases that the latter approach of resolving competing crack growth is not energy minimal in some cases. Finally, (3), the minimum energy criterion for a set of crack tip extensions is posed as the condition of vanishing rotational dissipation rates with respect to the extension angles. The proposed formulation lends itself to a straightforward application within a discrete framework involving multiple finite-length crack tip extensions. The open-source Matlab code, documentation, benchmark/example cases are included as supplementary material

Micro-structured materials: inhomogeneities and imperfect interfaces in plane micropolar elasticity, a boundary element approach

In this paper we tackle the simulation of microstructured materials modelled as heterogeneous Cosserat media with both perfect and imperfect interfaces. We formulate a boundary value problem for an inclusion of one plane strain micropolar phase into another micropolar phase and reduce the problem to a system of boundary integral equations, which is subsequently solved by the boundary element method. The inclusion interface condition is assumed to be imperfect, which permits jumps in both displacements/microrotations and tractions/couple tractions, as well as a linear dependence of jumps in displacements/microrotations on continuous across the interface tractions/couple traction (model known in elasticity as homogeneously imperfect interface). These features can be directly incorporated into the boundary element formulation. The BEM-results for a circular inclusion in an infinite plate are shown to be in an excellent agreement with the analytical solutions. The BEM-results for inclusions in finite plates are compared with the FEM-results obtained with FEniCS.Fondecyt Chile entitled "Boundary element modeling of crack propagation in micropolar materials" 11130259 European Research Council Starting Independent Research Grant (ERC Stg grant) 279578 Fonds National de la Recherche Luxembourg FWO-FNR grant INTER/FWO/15/10318764 National Research Fund, Luxembourg Marie Curie Actions of the European Commission (FP7-COFUND) 669358