Search results

1 – 10 of 51
Article
Publication date: 15 November 2021

Wei Xiao, Enlong Liu, Xiao Yin, Guike Zhang, Chong Zhang and Qihao Yu

The purpose of this paper is to perform the thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) numerical analysis in order to study the thawing process for frozen soil and to predict the thawing…

241

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to perform the thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) numerical analysis in order to study the thawing process for frozen soil and to predict the thawing settlement.

Design/methodology/approach

A new one-dimensional multi-field physical coupled model was proposed here to describe the thawing process of saturated frozen soil, whereby the void ratio varied linearly with effective stress (Eq. 10) and hydraulic conductivity (Eq. 27b). The thawing process was simulated with different initial and boundary conditions in an open system with temperature variations. The mechanical behavior and water migration of the representative cases were also investigated.

Findings

The comparisons of representative cases with experimental data demonstrated that the model predicts thawing settlement well. It was found that the larger temperature gradient, higher overburden pressure and higher water content could lead to larger thawing settlement. The temperature was observed that to distribute height linearly in both frozen zone and unfrozen zone of the sample. Water migration forced to a decrease in the water content of the unfrozen zone and an increase in water content at the thawing front.

Research limitations/implications

In this study, only the one-directional thawing processes along the frozen soil samples were investigated numerically and compared with test results, which can be extended to two-dimensional analysis of thawing process in frozen soil.

Originality/value

This study helps to understand the thawing process of frozen soil by coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical numerical simulation.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 39 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 November 2011

Erich Schmidt

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the state of the art of finite element analysis of electrical machines and transformers. Electrical machines and transformers are prime…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the state of the art of finite element analysis of electrical machines and transformers. Electrical machines and transformers are prime examples of multi‐physical systems involving electromagnetics, thermal issues, fluid dynamics, structural mechanics as well as acoustic phenomena. An accurate operational performance with different electrical and mechanical load situations is more and more evaluated using various numerical analysis methods including the couplings between the various physical domains. Therefore, numerical analysis methods are increasingly utilized not only for the verification of contractual values of existing machines, but also for the initial design process and for the design optimization of new machines.

Design/methodology/approach

The finite element method is the most powerful numerical analysis method for such multi‐physical devices. Since optimizations with respect to the overall performance and also the total manufacturing costs will become more important, the utilization of coupled multi‐physical analyses is of growing interest. For the fast and powerful application of this numerical analysis method, special attention should be given to the requirements of these electromagnetic devices.

Findings

Various methods of coupling the different physical domains of multi‐field finite element analyses are described. Thereby, weakly coupled cascade algorithms can be used with most problems in the field of electrical machines and transformers. On the other hand, a prime objective is to derive comprehensive, multi‐physical simulation models which are easily incorporated into design tools used by engineering professionals.

Research limitations/implications

The development of robust and reliable computer‐aided tools for an optimal design of multi‐physical devices such electrical machines and transformers has to argue about the best possible coupling of various simulation methods. Special consideration shall be paid more and more to a treatment of uncertainties and tolerances by means of statistical and probabilistic approaches.

Originality/value

The paper discusses state of the art of finite element analyses of the mentioned devices. Various optimized methods of modelling and analysis concerning the repetitive structure of electrical machines for electromagnetic analyses are compared with their advantages and drawbacks. Further, various methods of coupling the different domains of multi‐field analyses in case of electrical machines and transformers are described.

Details

COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering, vol. 30 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0332-1649

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 2005

Qing‐Sheng Yang, Cai‐Qin Cui and Xu‐Zhi Lu

The advanced synthetic and natural materials, such as piezoelectric ceramics, electroactive polymers and biological soft tissues, exhibit the multi‐physical or physicochemical…

Abstract

The advanced synthetic and natural materials, such as piezoelectric ceramics, electroactive polymers and biological soft tissues, exhibit the multi‐physical or physicochemical coupling behaviors. The coupling behavior involves the thermal‐mechanical, electric‐mechanical and electrochemicalmechanical interactions. The coupling phenomena can be modeled in the microscopic and macroscopic levels. In the microscale, the material consists of the solid, fluid and ions. The domain FE technique can be used to model the deformation of the solid and the flow of the fluid. In the macroscale, the mixture theory can be applied to description of the coupled response of the continuum under coupled thermal, electrical, chemical and mechanical loadings. A weak form of the governing equations is established by means of variational principle and a multi‐field finite element (MFE) method is developed for numerical modeling of the coupling behavior of advanced materials.

Details

Multidiscipline Modeling in Materials and Structures, vol. 1 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1573-6105

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 November 2016

Babak Lotfi, Bengt Sunden and Qiu-Wang Wang

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the numerical fluid-structure interaction (FSI) framework for the simulations of mechanical behavior of new vortex generators (VGs) in…

416

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the numerical fluid-structure interaction (FSI) framework for the simulations of mechanical behavior of new vortex generators (VGs) in smooth wavy fin-and-elliptical tube (SWFET) heat exchanger using the ANSYS MFX Multi-field® solver.

Design/methodology/approach

A three-dimensional FSI approach is proposed in this paper to provide better understanding of the performance of the VG structures in SWFET heat exchangers associated with the alloy material properties and geometric factors. The Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations with shear stress transport turbulence model are applied for modeling of the turbulent flow in SWFET heat exchanger and the linear elastic Cauchy-Navier model is solved for the structural von Mises stress and elastic strain analysis in the VGs region.

Findings

Parametric studies conducted in the course of this research successfully identified illustrate that the maximum magnitude of von Mises stress and elastic strain occurs at the root of the VGs and depends on geometrical parameters and material types. These results reveal that the titanium alloy VGs shows a slightly higher strength and lower elastic strain compared to the aluminum alloy VGs.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first in the literature that provides original information mechanical behavior of a SWFET heat exchanger model with new VGs in the field of FSI coupling technique.

Article
Publication date: 6 April 2020

Annan Jiang, Shuai Zheng and Shanyong Wang

This paper aims at the problem of surrounding rock excavation damage zone of tunneling in the rich water region, this paper aims to propose a new seepage-stress-damage coupling

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims at the problem of surrounding rock excavation damage zone of tunneling in the rich water region, this paper aims to propose a new seepage-stress-damage coupling model and studied the numerical algorithm. This reflects the characteristics of rock damage evolution, accompanied by plastic flow deformation and multi-field interaction.

Design/methodology/approach

First of all, rock elastoplastic damage constitutive model based on the Drucker–Prager criterion is established, the fully implicit return mapping algorithm is adopted to realize the numerical solution. Second, based on the relation between damage variation and permeability coefficient, the rock stress-seepage-damage model and multi-field coupling solving iterative method are presented. Finally, using the C++ language compiled the corresponding programs and simulated tunnel engineering in the rich water region.

Findings

Results show that difference evolution-based back analysis inversed damage parameters well, at the same time the established coupling model and calculating program have more advantages than general conventional methods. Multiple field coupling effects should be more considered for the design of tunnel support.

Originality/value

The proposed method provides an effective numerical simulation method for the construction of the tunnel and other geotechnical engineering involved underground water problems.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 37 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 November 2021

Fei Tong, Jie Yang, Meng Qiang Duan, Xu Fei Ma and Gao Chao Li

The purpose of this article is to understand the current research status and future development trends in the field of numerical simulation on rock mass grouting.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to understand the current research status and future development trends in the field of numerical simulation on rock mass grouting.

Design/methodology/approach

This article first searched the literature database (EI, Web of Science, CNKI, etc.) for keywords related to the numerical simulation of rock mass grouting to obtain the initial literature database. Then, from the initial database, several documents with strong relevance to the numerical simulation theme of rock mass grouting and high citation rate were selected; some documents from the references were selected as supplements, forming the sample database of this review study (a total of 90 articles). Finally, through sorting out the relationship among the literature, this literature review was carried out.

Findings

The numerical simulation of rock mass grouting is mainly based on the porous media model and the fractured media model. It has experienced the development process from Newtonian fluid to non-Newtonian fluid, from time-invariant viscosity to time-varying viscosity, and from generalized theoretical model to engineering application model. Based on this, this article summarizes four scientific problems that need to be solved in the future in this research field: the law of grout distribution at the cross fissures, the grout diffusion mechanism under multi-field coupling, more accurate grouting theoretical model and simulation technology with strong engineering applicability.

Originality/value

This research systematically analyzes the current research status and shortcomings of numerical simulation on rock mass grouting, summarizes four key issues in the future development of this research field and provides new ideas for the future research on numerical simulation on rock mass grouting.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 39 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 February 2021

Konghua Yang, Chunbao Liu, Jing Li and Jiawei Xiong

The flow phenomenon of particle image velocimetry has revealed the transition process of the complex multi-scale vortex between the boundary layer and mainstream region…

Abstract

Purpose

The flow phenomenon of particle image velocimetry has revealed the transition process of the complex multi-scale vortex between the boundary layer and mainstream region. Nonetheless, present computational fluid dynamics methods inadequately distinguish the discernable flows in detail. A multi-physical field coupling model, which was applied in rotor-stator fluid machinery (Umavathi, 2015; Syawitri et al., 2020), was put forward to ensure the identification of multi-scale vortexes and the improvement of performance prediction in torque converter.

Design/methodology/approach

A newly-developed multi-physical field simulation framework that coupled the scale-resolving simulation method with a dynamic modified viscosity coefficient was proposed to comparatively investigate the influence of energy exchange on thermal and flow characteristics and the description of the flow field in detail.

Findings

Regardless of whether quantitative or qualitative, its description ability on turbulence statistics, pressure-streamline, vortex structure and eddy viscosity ratio were visually experimentally and numerically analyzed. The results revealed that the modification of transmission medium viscous can identify flows more exactly between the viscous sublayer and outer boundary layer. Compared with RANS and large eddy simulation, a stress-blended eddy simulation model with a dynamic modified viscosity coefficient, which was further used to achieve blending on the stress level, can effectively solve the calculating problem of the transition region between the near-wall boundary layer and mainstream region.

Research limitations/implications

This indeed provides an excellent description of the transient flow field and vortex structure in different physical flow states. Furthermore, the experimental data has proven that the maximum error of the external performance prediction was less than 4%.

Originality/value

An improved model was applied to simulate and analyze the flow mechanism through the evolution of vortex structures in a working chamber, to deepen the designer with a fundamental understanding on how to reduce flow losses and flow non-uniformity in manufacturing.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 31 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 July 2009

M. Kaltenbacher, M. Meiler and M. Ertl

Magnetostrictive alloys are widely used in actuator and sensor applications. The purpose of this paper is to developed a realistic physical model and a numerical computational…

Abstract

Purpose

Magnetostrictive alloys are widely used in actuator and sensor applications. The purpose of this paper is to developed a realistic physical model and a numerical computational scheme for their precise computation.

Design/methodology/approach

The main step in the physical modeling is the decomposition of the mechanical strain and the magnetic induction into a reversible and an irreversible part. For the efficient solution of the arising coupled nonlinear partial differential equations the authors apply the finite element method.

Findings

It can be demonstrated, that the hysteresis operators can be fitted by appropriate measurements. Therewith, the developed physical model and numerical simulation scheme is applicable for the design of magnetostrictive actuators and sensors.

Originality/value

The decomposition of the mechanical strain and the magnetic induction into a reversible and an irreversible part. The reversible part is described by the linear magnetostrictive constitutive equations, where the entries of the coupling tensor depend on the magnetization. The irreversible part of the magnetic induction is modeled by a Preisach hysteresis operator, and the irreversible part of the mechanical strain by a polynomial function depending on the magnetization.

Details

COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering, vol. 28 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0332-1649

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 November 2020

Y.S. Wang, H. Guo, Tao Yuan, L.F. Ma and Changcheng Wang

Electromagnetic noise of permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) seriously affects the sound quality of electric vehicles (EVs). This paper aims to present a comprehensive…

Abstract

Purpose

Electromagnetic noise of permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) seriously affects the sound quality of electric vehicles (EVs). This paper aims to present a comprehensive process for the electromagnetic noise analysis and optimization of a water-cooled PMSM.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the noises of an eight-pole 48-slot PMSM in at speeds up to 10,000 rpm are measured. Furthermore, an electromagnetic-structural-acoustic model of the PMSM is established for multi-field coupling simulations of electromagnetic noises. Finally, the electromagnetic noise of the PMSM is optimized by using the multi-objective genetic algorithm, where a multi-objective function related to the slot width of PMSM stator is defined for radial electromagnetic force (REF) optimization.

Findings

The experimental results show that main electromagnetic noises are the 8n-order (n = 1, 2, 3, …) and 12-order noises. The simulated results show that the REFs are mainly generated by the 8n-order (n = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) vibrations, especially those of the 8th, 16th, 24th and 32th orders. The 12-order noise is a mechanical noise, which might be caused by the bearings and other structures of the PMSM. Comparing the simulated results before and after optimization, both the REFs and electromagnetic noises are effectively reduced, which suggests that an appropriate design of stator slot is important for reducing electromagnetic noise of the PMSM.

Originality/value

In view of applications, the methods proposed in this paper can be applied to other types of PMSM for generation mechanism analysis of electromagnetic noise, optimal design of PMSM and thereby noise improvement of EVs.

Article
Publication date: 11 January 2022

Gang Liu, Fengshan Ma, Maosheng Zhang, Jie Guo and Jun Jia

Continua and discontinua coexist in natural rock materials. This paper aims to present an improved approach for addressing the mechanical response of rock masses based on the…

Abstract

Purpose

Continua and discontinua coexist in natural rock materials. This paper aims to present an improved approach for addressing the mechanical response of rock masses based on the combined finite-discrete element method (FDEM) proposed by Munjiza.

Design/methodology/approach

Several algorithms have been programmed in the new approach. The algorithms include (1) a simpler and more efficient algorithm to calculate the contact force; (2) An algorithm for tangential contact force closer to the actual physical process; (3) a plastic yielding criterion (e.g. Mohr-Coulomb) to modify the elastic stress for fitting the mechanical behavior of elastoplastic materials; and (4) a complete code for the mechanical calculation to be implemented in Matrix Laboratory (MATLAB).

Findings

Three case studies, including two standard laboratory experiments (uniaxial compression and Brazilian split test) and one engineering-scale anti-dip slop model, are presented to illustrate the feasibility of the Y-Mat code and its ability to deal with multi-scale rock mechanics problems. The results, including the progressive failure process, failure mode and trajectory of each case, are acceptable compared to other corresponding studies. It is shown that, the code is capable of modeling geotechnical and geological engineering problems.

Originality/value

This article gives an improved FDEM-based numerical calculation code. And, feasibility of the code is verified through three cases. It can effectively solve the geotechnical and geological engineering problems.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 39 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

1 – 10 of 51