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1 – 10 of 110Said Chaabani and Naoufel Azouz
This paper presents preliminary results of the modeling of a large autonomous quad-rotor airship, with flying wing shape. This airship is supposed to be a flexible body. This…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper presents preliminary results of the modeling of a large autonomous quad-rotor airship, with flying wing shape. This airship is supposed to be a flexible body. This study promotes an entirely analytical methodology with some assumptions. In this study and as first assumption, the shape of the careen is supposed to be an elliptic cone. To retrieve the velocity potential shapes, this paper solved the Laplace’s equation by using the sphero-conal coordinates. This leads to the Lamé’s equations. The whole system equations governing the interaction of air–structure, including the boundary conditions, is solved in an analytical setting.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper opted for a modeling and determination of the added masses of a flexible airship by an analytical method illustrated by a comparison with a geometric method. This analytical method includes the study of complex functions which are the Lamé functions.
Findings
This paper provides an analytical way to estimate an aerodynamic phenomenon which acts on the airship and in particular on its envelope and known as the phenomenon of added masses or virtual masses, as well as the means of defining it and the calculation analytically for the case of the flexible airship.
Research limitations/implications
Considering that the calculation of the added masses is very difficult and the numerical methods increase the number of degrees of freedom, the analytical method established in this paper has become a solution of calculations of these virtual masses.
Practical implications
This paper includes an application for determining the added masses of a new generation MC500 airship.
Originality/value
This paper allows defining an analytical method which determines the added masses of an airship, which helps the automation engineer to develop a control strategy to stabilize this airship.
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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…
Abstract
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.
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Introduces papers from this area of expertise from the ISEF 1999 Proceedings. States the goal herein is one of identifying devices or systems able to provide prescribed…
Abstract
Introduces papers from this area of expertise from the ISEF 1999 Proceedings. States the goal herein is one of identifying devices or systems able to provide prescribed performance. Notes that 18 papers from the Symposium are grouped in the area of automated optimal design. Describes the main challenges that condition computational electromagnetism’s future development. Concludes by itemizing the range of applications from small activators to optimization of induction heating systems in this third chapter.
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Develops an original 12‐step management of technology protocol and applies it to 51 applications which range from Du Pont’s failure in Nylon to the Single Online Trade Exchange…
Abstract
Develops an original 12‐step management of technology protocol and applies it to 51 applications which range from Du Pont’s failure in Nylon to the Single Online Trade Exchange for Auto Parts procurement by GM, Ford, Daimler‐Chrysler and Renault‐Nissan. Provides many case studies with regards to the adoption of technology and describes seven chief technology officer characteristics. Discusses common errors when companies invest in technology and considers the probabilities of success. Provides 175 questions and answers to reinforce the concepts introduced. States that this substantial journal is aimed primarily at the present and potential chief technology officer to assist their survival and success in national and international markets.
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Francisc Bölöni, Abdelkader Benabou and Abdelmounaïm Tounzi
Electrostatic microelectromechanical systems are characterized by the pull‐in instability, associated to a pull‐in voltage. A good design requires an accurate model of this…
Abstract
Purpose
Electrostatic microelectromechanical systems are characterized by the pull‐in instability, associated to a pull‐in voltage. A good design requires an accurate model of this pull‐in phenomenon. The purpose of this paper is to present two approaches to building finite element method (FEM) based models.
Design/methodology/approach
Closed form expressions for the computation of the pull‐in voltage, can provide fast results within reliable accuracy, except when treating cases of extreme fringing fields. FEM‐based models come handy when high accuracy is needed. In the first model presented in this paper, the FEM is used to solve the electrostatic problem, while the mechanical problem is solved using a simplified Euler‐Bernoulli beam equation. The second model is a pure FEM model coupling the electrostatic and mechanical problems iteratively through the electrical force. Results for both scalar and vector potential formulations for the FEM models are presented.
Findings
In this paper a comparative study of simple pull‐in structures is presented, between analytical and 3D FEM‐based models. A comparison with analytical models and experimental results is also realized.
Research limitations/implications
The coupling between the electrostatic and mechanical problem in the presented approaches, is iterative. Therefore, to improve the accuracy of the presented model, a strong coupling is needed.
Originality/value
In the presented FEM‐analytical model, the electrostatic problem is solved in both, scalar and vector electric potential formulations. This allows defining an upper and a lower limit for the electrostatic force and consequently for the pull‐in voltage.
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Ming-Yi Liu, Li-Chin Lin and Pao-Hsii Wang
The purpose of this paper is to provide a variety of viewpoints to illustrate the mechanism of the deck-stay interaction with the appropriate initial shapes of cable-stayed…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a variety of viewpoints to illustrate the mechanism of the deck-stay interaction with the appropriate initial shapes of cable-stayed bridges, which is validated by a symmetrical structure.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the smooth and convergent bridge shapes obtained by the initial shape analysis, the one-element cable system (OECS) and multi-element cable system (MECS) models of the symmetric harp cable-stayed bridge are developed to verify the applicability of the analytical model and numerical formulation from the field observations in the authors’ previous work. For this purpose, the modal analyses of the two finite element models are conducted to calculate the natural frequency and normalized mode shape of the individual modes of the bridge. The modal coupling assessment is also performed to obtain the generalized mass ratios among the structural components for each mode of the bridge.
Findings
The findings indicate that the coupled modes are attributed to the frequency loci veering and mode localization when the “pure” deck-tower frequency and the “pure” stay cable frequency approach one another, implying that the mode shapes of such coupled modes are simply different from those of the deck-tower system or stay cables alone. The distribution of the generalized mass ratios between the deck-tower system and stay cables are useful indices for quantitatively assessing the degree of coupling for each mode. For each identical group of stay cables in the MECS model, the local modes with similar natural frequencies and normalized mode shapes consist of the participation of one or more stay cables. These results are demonstrated to fully understand the mechanism of the deck-stay interaction with the appropriate initial shapes of cable-stayed bridges.
Originality/value
It is important to investigate the deck-stay interaction with the appropriate initial shape of a cable-stayed bridge. This is because such initial shape not only reasonably provides the geometric configuration as well as the prestress distribution of the bridge under the weight of the deck-tower system and the pretension forces in the stay cables, but also definitely ensures the satisfaction of the relations for the equilibrium conditions, boundary conditions and architectural design requirements. However, few researchers have studied the deck-stay interaction considering the initial shape effect. The objective of this paper is to fully understand the mechanism of the deck-stay interaction with the appropriate initial shapes of cable-stayed bridges, which is validated by a symmetrical structure. The modal coupling assessment is also performed for quantitatively assessing the degree of coupling for each mode of the bridge.
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Vipin P. Veetil and Richard E. Wagner
Standard macro theories have the same analytical structure as their micro counterparts. Where micro theories work with equilibrium between supply and demand for particular…
Abstract
Standard macro theories have the same analytical structure as their micro counterparts. Where micro theories work with equilibrium between supply and demand for particular products, macro theories work with equilibrium applied to aggregates of products. This common approach treats the micro–macro relationship as scalable, with macro variables being aggregations over micro variables. In contrast, we pursue a systems-theoretic approach to the micro–macro relationship. This relationship is not scalable and rather entails a disjunction between micro- and macro-levels of theory. While micro phenomena are still susceptible to choice-theoretic analysis, macro phenomena are products of ecological interaction and so entail emergent phenomena. Our alternative approach treats macro theory as a form of systems theory where the behavior of the system has properties that are not reducible to properties of the individual elements within that system. Besides sketching this alternative approach, we examine some of the different insights this approach offers into such topics as unemployment and stabilization.
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Van Huyen Vu, Benoît Trouette, Quy Dong TO and Eric Chénier
This paper aims to extend the hybrid atomistic-continuum multiscale method developed by Vu et al. (2016) to study the gas flow problems in long microchannels involving density…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to extend the hybrid atomistic-continuum multiscale method developed by Vu et al. (2016) to study the gas flow problems in long microchannels involving density variations.
Design/methodology/approach
The simulation domain is decomposed into three regions: the bulk where the continuous Navier–Stokes and energy equations are solved, the neighbourhood of the wall simulated by molecular dynamics and the overlap region which connects the macroscopic variables (density, velocity and temperature) between the two former regions. For the simulation of long micro/nanochannels, a strategy with multiple molecular blocks all along the fluid/solid interface is adopted to capture accurately the macroscopic velocity and temperature variations.
Findings
The validity of the hybrid method is shown by comparisons with a simplified analytical model in the molecular region. Applications to compressible and condensation problems are also presented, and the results are discussed.
Originality/value
The hybrid method proposed in this paper allows cost-effective computer simulations of large-scale problems with an accurate modelling of the transfers at small scales (velocity slip, temperature jump, thin condensation films, etc.).
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A.E. Tekkaya and P.A.F. Martins
The purpose of this paper is to provide industrial, education and academic users of computer programs a basic overview of finite elements in metal forming that will enable them to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide industrial, education and academic users of computer programs a basic overview of finite elements in metal forming that will enable them to recognize the pitfalls of the existing formulations, identify the possible sources of errors and understand the routes for validating their numerical results.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology draws from the fundamentals of the finite elements, plasticity and material science to aspects of computer implementation, modelling, accuracy, reliability and validation. The approach is illustrated and enriched with selected examples obtained from research and industrial metal forming applications.
Findings
The presentation is a step towards diminishing the gap being formed between developers of the finite element computer programs and the users having the know‐how on the metal forming technology. It is shown that there are easy and efficient ways of refreshing and upgrading the knowledge and skills of the users without resorting to complicated theoretical and numerical topics that go beyond their knowledge and most often are lectured out of metal forming context.
Originality/value
The overall content of the paper is enhancement of previous work in the field of sheet and bulk metal forming, and from experience in lecturing these topics to students in graduate and post‐graduate courses and to specialists of metal forming from industry.
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