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The purpose of this paper is to investigate and to assess the capabilities of the most common finite element (FE)‐based tools to deal with global‐local analysis. Two kinds of coupling were investigated: shell to shell and shell to solid.

The issue of connecting non‐matching FE global and local models, characterized by different mesh refinements and/or different element types, was addressed by introducing appropriate kinematic constraints on the nodes at the interfaces. The coupling techniques available in the three FE‐based codes (ABAQUS^®, NASTRAN^® and ANSYS^®), were assessed by applying them on a common numerical test case (non‐linear buckling analysis of a square plate). Results of the global‐local simulations were compared to the results obtained for relevant reference solutions.

The continuity of displacements and stresses across the interface between global and local models and the influence of the presence of the local model on the global model solution were used as parameters to test the quality of the results. It was observed that the tools implemented in the different codes provide different results. The results characterized by a higher quality were found by using the Multi Point Constraint available in ABAQUS^®.

When dealing with complex structures, multi‐scale (global‐local) approaches are commonly adopted to optimize the computational cost by increasing mesh refinements and/or introducing elements with different formulations in specific region of the structures identified as “local model”. In this paper an overview of the coupling tools available in the main commercial FE code is given.

Presents a review on implementing finite element methods on supercomputers, workstations and PCs and gives main trends in hardware and software developments. An appendix included at the end of the paper presents a bibliography on the subjects retrospectively to 1985 and approximately 1,100 references are listed.

This paper aims to numerically investigate the influence of magnetic field and recess configurations on performance of hydrostatic thrust bearing. Electrically conducting fluid is supplied to bearing, operating in external magnetic field. Influences of recess geometric shapes (circular, rectangular, elliptical and triangular) and restrictor (capillary and orifice) are numerically examined on stead-state and dynamic performance characteristics of bearing.

Numerical simulation of hydrostatic thrust bearing has been performed using finite element (FE) method based on Galerkin’s technique. An iterative source code based on FE approach, Gauss–Siedel and Newton–Raphson method is used to compute steady-state and dynamic performance indices of bearings.

The presence of magnetic field is observed to be enhancing load-carrying capacity and damping coefficient of bearings. The effect is observed to be more pronounced at low value of Hartmann number, because of the saturation effect observed at higher values of Hartmann number. The enhancement in abovementioned performance indices is observed to be highly dependent on geometry of recess and restrictor.

This study presents a FE-based approach to numerically simulate a hydrostatic thrust bearing. It will help bearing designers and academician in selecting an appropriate recess shape, restrictor and strength of magnetic field, for obtaining optimum performance from hydrostatic thrust bearing.

The present investigation provides a coupled solution of modified Reynolds equation and restrictor equation, which is essential for accurately predicting the performance of hydrostatic thrust bearings.

The purpose of this paper is to describe an experience of R&D in the field of new technologies for solar energy exploitation within the Italian context. Concentrated solar power systems operating in the field of medium temperatures are the main research objectives, directed towards the development of a new and low‐cost technology to concentrate the direct radiation and efficiently convert solar energy into high‐temperature heat.

A multi‐tank sensible‐heat storage system is proposed for storing thermal energy, with a two‐tanks molten salt system. In the present paper, the typology of a below‐grade cone shape storage is taken up, in combination with nitrate molten salts at 565°C maximum temperature, using an innovative high‐performance concrete for structures absolving functions of containment and foundation.

Concrete durability in terms of prolonged thermal loads is assessed. The interaction between the hot tank and the surrounding environment (ground) is considered. The developed FE model simulates the whole domain, and a fixed heat source of 100°C is assigned to the internal concrete surface. The development of the thermal and hygral fronts within the tank thickness are analysed and results discussed for long‐term scenarios.

Within the medium temperature field, an innovative approach is here presented for the conceptual design of liquid salts concrete storage systems. The adopted numerical model accounts for the strong coupling among moisture and heat transfer and the mechanical field. The basic mathematical model is a single fluid phase non‐linear diffusion one based on the theory by Bažant; appropriate thermodynamic and constitutive relationships are supplemented to enhance the approach and catch the effects of different fluid phases (liquid plus gas).

The purpose of this paper is to further simplify the use of NURBS in industrial environnements. Although isogeometric analysis (IGA) has been the object of intensive studies over the past decade, its massive deployment in industrial analysis still appears quite marginal. This is partly due to its implementation, which is not straightforward with respect to the elementary structure of finite element (FE) codes. This often discourages industrial engineers from adopting isogeometric capabilities in their well-established simulation environment.

Based on the concept of Bézier and Lagrange extractions, a novel method is proposed to implement IGA from an existing industrial FE code with the aim of bringing human implementation effort to the minimal possible level (only using standard input-output of finite element analysis (FEA) codes, avoid code-dependent subroutines implementation). An approximate global link to go from Lagrange polynomials to non-uniform-rational-B-splines functions is formulated, which enables the whole FE routines to be untouched during the implementation.

As a result, only the linear system resolution step is bypassed: the resolution is performed in an external script after projecting the FE system onto the reduced, more regular and isogeometric basis. The novel procedure is successfully validated through different numerical experiments involving linear and nonlinear isogeometric analyses using the standard input/output of the industrial FE software Code_Aster.

A non-invasive implementation of IGA into FEA software is proposed. The whole FE routines are untouched during the novel implementation procedure; a focus is made on the IGA solution of nonlinear problems from existing FEA software; technical details on the approach are provided by means of illustrative examples and step-by-step implementation; the methodology is evaluated on a range of two- and three-dimensional elasticity and elastoplasticity benchmarks solved using the commercial software Code_Aster.

This paper aims to present nonlinear numerical simulations using the versatile finite element (FE) analysis tool ANSYS and theoretical analysis based on code provisions to assess the load-carrying capacity of reinforced concrete (RC) beams under two-point monotonic static loadings.

Four quarter-size FE models with load and geometry symmetry conditions were constructed, the load-bearing capacity and associated mid-span deflections at critical points are verified against the full-scale experimental RC beams available in the literature. These developed FE models incorporated the tension stiffening effects and bond–slip behaviour. Theoretical analyses based on Indian standard code IS: 456–2000 and ACI 318–19 were also carried to verify the experimental and numerical predicted moments at critical loading points.

The load-deflection curves predicted through FE models exhibit closer corroboration with the experimental curves throughout the loading history. The contour plots for deflections, concrete principal stresses, reinforcement yield stresses are satisfactorily predicted by the FE models, which reveal the complete information of nonlinear behaviour of RC beams. The developed model well captured the initial and progressive crack patterns at each load increments.

The FE modelling is an efficient, valid and economical tool that is an alternative to the expensive experimental program and can be used to explore, analyse and fully understand the nonlinear response of RC beams under static loadings.

The ultimate moment capacity evaluated based on ACI 318–19 code provision show a better correlation with the experimental data as compared to the IS: 456–2000 code provision. The ultimate loads and associated centre-span deflections predicted by RN-2, RN-3, RB-12 and RB-16 FE model show a discrepancy of 1.66 and –0.49%, –4.68 and –0.60%, –9.38 and –14.53% and –4.37 and 4.21%, respectively, against the experimental results, which reveals that the developed ANSYS FE models predict consistent results and achieved a reasonable agreement with the experimental data.

Presents a special issue, enlisting the help of the author’s students and colleagues, focusing on age, sex, colour and disability discrimination in America. Breaks the evidence down into manageable chunks, covering: age discrimination in the workplace; discrimination against African‐Americans; sex discrimination in the workplace; same sex sexual harassment; how to investigate and prove disability discrimination; sexual harassment in the military; when the main US job‐discrimination law applies to small companies; how to investigate and prove racial discrimination; developments concerning race discrimination in the workplace; developments concerning the Equal Pay Act; developments concerning discrimination against workers with HIV or AIDS; developments concerning discrimination based on refusal of family care leave; developments concerning discrimination against gay or lesbian employees; developments concerning discrimination based on colour; how to investigate and prove discrimination concerning based on colour; developments concerning the Equal Pay Act; using statistics in employment discrimination cases; race discrimination in the workplace; developments concerning gender discrimination in the workplace; discrimination in Japanese organizations in America; discrimination in the entertainment industry; discrimination in the utility industry; understanding and effectively managing national origin discrimination; how to investigate and prove hiring discrimination based on colour; and, finally, how to investigate sexual harassment in the workplace.

The objective of this research is to explore integration and transition activities in large industrial projects. The purpose is to (a) obtain a better understanding of the integration and transition activities between the project front-end (FE) and project initiation phases (PIPs), (b) explore what, how and when these integrations and transitions occur, and (c) explore what the integration and transition activities mean to project practitioners.

A qualitative research design methodology is followed, based on interviews using open-ended questions. An expert panel is used to provide responses to questions pertaining to the integration and transition between the project FE and PIP. The research is focused on managing large projects in the South African electrical engineering industrial projects industry. A literature review combined with empirical analysis reflects the importance of integrating and transitioning in project business.

The findings provide guidance to researchers and practitioners on integration and transition mechanisms, how and when these occur. It highlights the benefits of integration and transition activities. Important lessons for researchers and practitioners are provided together with areas for future research.

This is an interpretative analysis of expert opinion. Expert panel members are experienced at senior decision-making level, and their expertise was accessed based on experience, education and knowledge. This extensive experience is shared in this paper providing insights into their opinions, experiences, success and failures. These inputs together with the literature review provide interesting implications for both a theoretical foundation as well as practical implications for practitioners.

Since the use of advanced finite element analysis (FEA) in the design of steel structures has been increasing its popularity in order to avoid unsafe or highly conservative designs, a solid know-how in computer-aided design (CAD) and engineering (CAE) codes is necessary. Therefore the purpose of this paper is to provide an extensive review of useful guidelines concerning modelling, simulation and result validation for the accurate performance of those analyses.

Such guidelines are obtained from international steel design codes like Eurocode 3 and DNV, publications from experienced CAE engineers and renowned FE software companies like Ansys and Altair. Topics like mesh independence, the effect of the load sequence on the load bearing capacity and steel fracture criteria are underlined.

Since the use of advanced FEA in the design of steel structures is becoming more and more traditional due to the increase of its competitiveness when compared to the use of (very) conservative design rules, a solid know-how in CAD and CAE codes is necessary.

This work will be quite useful for structural steel stress engineers, contributing for a safer use of FEA in research and design.

This work will be quite useful for structural steel stress engineers, contributing for a safer use of FEA in research and design.

To present an approach to parameterization based shape optimization of statically loaded structures and to propose its practical implementation.

In order to establish a convenient shape parameterization, the design element technique is employed. A rational Bézier body is used to serve as the design element. The design element is used to retrieve the nodal geometrical data of finite elements (FEs). Their field geometrical data are obtained using the FE own internal functions. For practical implementation it is proposed to establish the optimization cycle by two separately running processes. The data exchange is established by using self‐descriptive and platform‐independent XML conforming data files.

The proposed approach offers an unified approach to shape optimization of skeletal, as well as continuous structures. Structural shape may be varied smoothly with a relative small set of design variables. The employment of a gradient‐based optimization algorithm assures computational efficiency.

The aspects of FE mesh deterioration are not considered in this work. This would be necessary if for the actual problem at hand major and excessively non‐uniform shape changes of the FE mesh are expected.

A useful source of information for someone who is planning to develop a general or special‐purpose integrated structural analysis and shape optimization software.

The paper offers a rather simple, but quite powerful approach to structural shape optimization together with practical hints for its computational implementation.