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The purpose of this paper is to study the feasibility of the fabrication of circle arc curved-layered structures via conventional fused deposition modeling (FDM) with three-axis machines and to identify the main structural parameters that have an influence on their mechanical properties.

Customized G-codes were generated via a script developed in MATLAB. The G-codes contain nozzle trajectories with displacements in the three axes simultaneously. Using these, the samples were fabricated with different porosities, and their influence on the mechanical responses evaluated via tensile testing. The load-displacement curves were analyzed to understand the structure-property relationship.

Circled arc curved-layered structures were successfully fabricated with conventional three-axis FDM machines. The response of these curved lattice structures under tensile loads was mapped to three main stages and deformation mechanisms, namely, straightening, stretching and fracture. The micro-structure formed by the transverse filaments affect the first stage significantly and the other two minimally. The main parameters that affect the structural response were found to be the transverse filaments, as these could behave as hinges, allowing the slide/rotation of adjacent layers and making the structure more shear sensitive.

This paper was restricted to arc-curved samples fabricated with conventional three-axis FDM machines.

The FDM fabrication of curved-structures with controlled porosity and their relation to the resulting mechanical properties is presented here for the first time. The study of curved-lattice structures is of great relevance in various areas, such as biomedical, architecture and aerospace.

Gives a bibliographical review of the finite element methods (FEMs) applied for the linear and nonlinear, static and dynamic analyses of basic structural elements from the theoretical as well as practical points of view. The range of applications of FEMs in this area is wide and cannot be presented in a single paper; therefore aims to give the reader an encyclopaedic view on the subject. The bibliography at the end of the paper contains 2,025 references to papers, conference proceedings and theses/dissertations dealing with the analysis of beams, columns, rods, bars, cables, discs, blades, shafts, membranes, plates and shells that were published in 1992‐1995.

A novel rapid prototyping technology incorporating a curved layer building style was developed. The new process, based on laminated object manufacturing (LOM), was designed for efficient fabrication of curved layer structures made from ceramics and fiber reinforced composites. A new LOM machine was created, referred to as curved layer LOM. This new machine uses ceramic tapes and fiber prepregs as feedstocks and fabricates curved structures on a curved‐layer by curved‐layer basis. The output of the process is a three‐dimensional “green” ceramic that is capable of being processed to a seamless, fully dense ceramic using traditional techniques. A detailed description is made of the necessary software and hardware for this new process. Also reviewed is the development of ceramic preforms and accompanying process technology for net shape ceramic fabrication. Monolithic ceramic (SiC) and ceramic matrix composite (SiC/SiC) articles were fabricated using both the flat layer and curved layer LOM processes. For making curved layer objects, the curved process afforded the advantages of eliminated stair step effect, increased build speed, reduced waste, reduced need for decubing, and maintenance of continuous fibers in the direction of curvature.

Robotic wire and arc additive manufacturing (RWAAM) is becoming more and more popular for its capability of fabricating metallic parts with complicated structure. To unlock the potential of 6-DOF industrial robots and improve the power of additive manufacturing, this paper aims to present a method to fabricate curved overhanging thin-walled parts free from turn table and support structures.

Five groups of straight inclined thin-walled parts with different angles were fabricated with the torch aligned with the inclination angle using RWAAM, and the angle precision was verified by recording the growth of each layer in both horizontal and vertical directions; furthermore, the experimental phenomena was explained with the force model of the molten pool and the forming characteristics was investigated. Based on the results above, an algorithm for fabricating curved overhanging thin-walled part was presented and validated.

The force model and forming characteristics during the RWAAM process were investigated. Based on the result, the influence of the torch orientation on the weld pool flow was used to control the pool flow, then a practical algorithm for fabricating curved overhanging thin-walled part was proposed and validated.

Regarding the fabrication of curved overhanging thin-walled parts, given the influences of the torch angles on the deposited morphology, porosity formation rate and weld pool flow, the flexibility of 6-DOF industrial robot was fully used to realize instant adjustment of the torch angle. In this paper, the deposition point and torch orientation of each layer of a robotic fabrication path was determined by the contour equation of the curve surface. By adjusting the torch angle, the pool flow was controlled and better forming quality was acquired.

The purpose of this study is dedicated to use an efficient mixed strain finite element approach to develop a three-node triangular shell element. Moreover, large deformation analysis of the functionally graded material shells is the main contribution of this research. These target structures include thin or moderately thick panels.

Due to reach these goals, Green–Lagrange strain formulation with respect to small strains and large deformations with finite rotations is used. First, an efficient three-node triangular degenerated shell element is formulated using tensorial components of two-dimensional shell theory. Then, the variation of Young’s modulus through the thickness of shell is formulated by using power function. Note that the change of Poisson’s ratio is ignored. Finally, the governing linearized incremental relation was iteratively solved using a high potential nonlinear solution method entitled generalized displacement control.

Some well-known problems are solved to validate the proposed formulations. The suggested triangular shell element can obtain the exact responses of functionally graded (FG) shell structures, without any shear locking, instabilities and ill-conditioning, even by using fewer numbers of the elements. The obtained outcomes are compared with the other reference solutions. All findings demonstrate the accuracy and capability of authors’ element for analyzing FG shell structures.

A mixed strain finite element approach is used for nonlinear analysis of FG shells. These structures are curved thin and moderately thick shells. Small strains and large deformations with finite rotations are assumed.

FG shells are mostly made curved thin or moderately thick, and these structures have a lot of applications in the civil and mechanical engineering.

The social implication of this study is concerned with how technology impacts the world. In short, the presented scheme can improve structural analysis ways.

Developing an efficient three-node triangular element, for geometrically nonlinear analysis of FG doubly-curved thin and moderately thick shells, is the main contribution of the current research. Finite rotations are considered by using the Taylor’s expansion of the rotation matrix. Mixed interpolation of strain fields is used to alleviate the locking phenomena. Using fewer numbers of shell elements with fewer numbers of degrees of freedom can reduce the computational costs and errors significantly.

Stochastic uncertainties in material parameters have a significant impact on the analysis of real-world electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) problems. Conventional approaches via the Monte-Carlo scheme attempt to provide viable solutions, yet at the expense of prohibitively elongated simulations and system overhead, due to the large amount of statistical implementations. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a 3-D stochastic finite-difference time-domain (S-FDTD) technique for the accurate modelling of generalised EMC applications with highly random media properties, while concurrently offering fast and economical single-run realisations.

The proposed method establishes the concept of covariant/contravariant metrics for robust tessellations of arbitrarily curved structures and derives the mean value and standard deviation of the generated fields in a single-run. Also, the critical case of geometrical and physical uncertainties is handled via an optimal parameterisation, which locally reforms the curvilinear grid. In order to pursue extra speed efficiency, code implementation is conducted through contemporary graphics processor units and parallel programming.

The curvilinear S-FDTD algorithm is proven very precise and stable, compared to existing multiple-realisation approaches, in the analysis of statistically-varying problems. Moreover, its generalised formulation allows the effective treatment of realistic structures with arbitrarily curved geometries, unlike staircase schemes. Finally, the GPU-based enhancements accomplish notably accelerated simulations that may exceed the level of 120 times. Conclusively, the featured technique can successfully attain highly accurate results with very limited system requirements.

Development of a generalised curvilinear S-FDTD methodology, based on a covariant/contravariant algorithm. Incorporation of the important geometric/physical uncertainties through a locally adaptive curved mesh. Speed advancement via modern GPU and CUDA programming which leads to reliable estimations, even for abrupt statistical media parameter fluctuations.

This paper deals with structural shape optimization of vibrating prismatic shells and folded plates. The finite strip method is used to determine the natural frequencies and modal shapes based on Mindlin‐Reissner shell theory which allows for transverse shear deformation and rotatory inertia effects. An automated optimization procedure is adopted which integrates finite strip analysis, parametric cubic spline geometry definition, automatic mesh generation, sensitivity analysis and mathematical programming methods. The objective is to maximize the fundamental frequency by changing thickness and shape design variables defining the cross‐section of the structure, with a constraint that the total volume of the structure remains constant. A series of examples is presented to highlight various features of the optimization procedure as well as the accuracy and efficiency of finite strip method.

The purpose of this paper is to propose an effective and novel methodology to determine optimal location of piezoelectric transducers for passive vibration control of geometrically complicated structures and shells with various curvatures. An industry‐standard aircraft leading‐edge structure is considered for the actuator placement analysis and experimental verification.

The proposed method is based on finite element analysis of the underlying structure having a thin layer of piezoelectric elements covering the entire inner surface with pertinent boundary conditions. All the piezoelectric properties are incorporated into the elements. Specifically, modal piezoelectric analysis is performed to provide computed tomography for the evaluations of the electric potential distributions on these piezoelectric elements attributed by the first bending and torsional modes of structural vibration. Then, the outstanding zone(s) yielding highest amount of electric potentials can be identified as the target location for the best actuator placement.

Six piezoelectric vibration absorbers are determined to be placed alongside both of the fixed edges. An experimental verification of the aluminum leading edge's vibration suppression using the proposed method is conducted exploiting two resistive shunt circuits for the passive damping. A good agreement is obtained between the analytical and experimental results. In particular, vibration suppression around 30 and 25 per cent and Q‐factor reduction up to 15 and 10 per cent are obtained in the designated bending and torsional modes, respectively. In addition, some amount of damping improvement is observed at higher modes of vibration as well.

The frequency in the proposed approach will be increased slowly and gradually from 0 to 500 Hz. When the frequency matches the natural frequency of the structure, owing to the resonant condition the plate will vibrate heavily. The vibrations of the plate can be observed by connecting a sensor to an oscilloscope. Owing to the use of only one sensor, not all the modes can be detected. Only the first few modes can be picked up by the sensor, because of its location.

This method can also be used in optimizing not only the location but also the size and shape of the passive vibration absorber to attain maximum amount of damping. This can be achieved by simply changing the dimensions and shape of the piezoelectric vibration absorber in the finite element model on an iterative basis to find the configuration that gives maximum electric potential.

The determination of optimal location(s) for piezoelectric transducers is very complicated and difficult if the geometry of structures is curved or irregular. Therefore, it has never been reported in the literature. Here an efficient FEA‐based electric potential tomography method is proposed to identify the optimized locations for the PZT transducers for passive vibration control of geometrically complicated structures, with minimal efforts. In addition, this method will facilitate the determination of electric potentials that would be obtained at all the possible locations for piezoelectric transducers and hence makes it possible to optimize the placement and configurations of the candidate transducers on complex shape structures.

This paper aims to propose a new robust membrane finite element for the analysis of plane problems. The suggested element has triangular geometry. Four nodes and 11 degrees of freedom (DOF) are considered for the element. Each of the three vertex nodes has three DOF, two displacements and one drilling. The fourth node that is located inside the element has only two translational DOF.

The suggested formulation is based on the assumed strain method and satisfies both compatibility and equilibrium conditions within each element. This establishment results in higher insensitivity to the mesh distortion. Enforcement of the equilibrium condition to the assumed strain field leads to considerably high accuracy of the developed formulation.

To show the merits of the suggested plane element, its different properties, including insensitivity to mesh distortion, particularly under transverse shear forces, immunities to the various locking phenomena and convergence of the element are studied. The obtained results demonstrate the superiority of the suggested element compared with many of the available robust membrane elements.

According to the attained results, the proposed element performs better than the well-known displacement-based elements such as linear strain triangular element, Q4 and Q8 and even is comparable with robust modified membrane elements.

Since the early 1960s, the construction industry has been continually criticized for its low productivity and poor quality. Throughout this period, it has been widely recognized that building design has a significant impact on construction performance. As a result, considerable research and industry efforts have been focused on improving information and activities in the building design process. This paper reports the findings of a study which investigated how design imperatives affect design information and design activities. First, design imperatives are defined. Then, an analysis of their determining influence on design information and design activities are provided. Next, it is explained how design imperatives, rather than information and activities, constrain productivity and quality by limiting production options. In conclusion, it is argued that design imperatives have a greater influence on productivity and quality than the industry in which design is carried out.