A mixture theory based method for three-dimensional modeling of reinforce concrete members with embedded crack finite elements

The paper presents a methodology to model three-dimensional reinforced concrete members by means of embedded discontinuity elements based on the Continuum Strong Discontinuous Approach (CSDA). Mixture theory concepts are used to model reinforced concrete as a 31) composite material constituted of concrete with long fibers (rebars) bundles oriented in different directions embedded in it. The effects of the rebars are modeled by phenomenological constitutive models devised to reproduce the axial non-linear behavior, as well as the bond-slip and dowel action. The paper presents the constitutive models assumed for the components and the compatibility conditions chosen to constitute the composite. Numerical analyses of existing experimental reinforced concrete members are presented, illustrating the applicability of the proposed methodology.

Description of Leishmania (Leishmania) forattinii sp. n., a new parasite infecting opossums and rodents in Brazil

A new parasite species of Leishmania is described, L. (Leishmania) forattinii sp. n., which was isolated from a pooled triturate of liver and spleen of a opossum (Didelphis marsupialis aurita) and from skin samples from a rodent (Proechmys iheringi denigratus), captured in primary forest on the Atlantic Cost of Brazil. Our results on the basis of biological and molecular criteria indicate that this taxonomically distinct parasite ias a new species of the L. mexicana complex, but closely related to L. (L.) aristidesi Laison & shaw, 1979, as revelated by phenetic and phylogenetic numerical analyses of the enzyme data. L. forattinii was clearly distinguishable from other Leishmania species of the genus usisng enzyme electrophoresis, monoclonal antibodies, molecular karyotypes, analysis of restriction enzyme digestion patterns of kinetoplast DNA (kDNA), as well as the use of kDNA hybridization procedures.

Clustering of rare earth in glasses, aluminum effect: experiments and modeling

Luminescent spectra of Eu3+-doped sol-gel glasses have been analyzed during the densification process and compared according to the presence or not of aluminum as a codoping ion. A transition temperature from hydrated to dehydroxyled environments has been found different for doped and codoped samples. However, only slight modifications have been displayed from luminescence measurements beyond this transition. To support the experimental analysis, molecular dynamics simulations have been performed to model the doped and codoped glass structures. Despite no evidence of rare earth clustering reduction due to aluminum has been found, the modeled structures have shown that the luminescent ions are mainly located in aluminum-rich domains. The synthesis of both experimental and numerical analyses has lead us to interpret the aluminum effect as responsible for differences in structure of the luminescent sites rather than for an effective dispersion of the rare earth ions. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Influence of buccal cusp reduction when using porcelain laminate veneers in premolars. A comparative study using 3-D finite element analysis

Objectives: Based on a maxillary premolar restored with laminate veneer and using the 3-D finite element analysis (FEA) and mCT data, the aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different types of buccal cusp reduction on the stress distribution in the porcelain laminate veneer and in the resin luting cement layer. Methods: Two 3-D FEA models (M) of a maxillary premolar were built from mCT data. The buccal cusp reduction followed two configurations: Mt-buccal cusp completely covered by porcelain laminate veneer; and Mp-buccal cusp partially covered by porcelain laminate veneer. The loading (150 N in 458) was performed on the top of the buccal cusp. The finite element software (Ansys Workbench 10.0) was used to obtain the maximum shear stress (σmax) and maximum principal stress (σmax). Results: The Mp showed reduced the stress (σmax) in porcelain laminate veneer (from-2.3 to 24.5 MPa) in comparison with Mt (from-5.3 to 27.4 MPa). The difference between the peak and lower stress values of σmax in Mp (-6.8 to 26.7 MPa) and Mt (-5.3 to 27.4 MPa) was similar for the resin luting cement layer. The structures not exceeded the ultimate tensile strength or the shear bond strength. Conclusions: Cusp reduction did not affect significant increase in σmax and τmax. The Mt showed better stress distribution (τmax) than Mp. © 2011 Published by Elsevier Ireland on behalf of Japan Prosthodontic Society.

Análise numérica da ductilidade de vigas de concreto armado convencional e de alto desempenho

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Análise de sistemas de controle de vibração em máquinas rotativas utilizando atuadores formados por ligas com memória de forma

A aplicação das ligas com memória de forma (shape memory alloys – SMA) têm se mostrado como uma alternativa promissora no controle de vibração de máquinas e estruturas, devido principalmente aos fenômenos de memória de forma e pseudoelástico que elas apresentam. Do mesmo modo, tais ligas proporcionam grandes forças de recuperação e capacidade de amortecimento quando comparadas aos materiais tradicionais. Na literatura científica encontra-se um grande número de trabalhos que tratam da aplicação das SMA no controle de vibração em estruturas. Contudo, a aplicação desse tipo de material em máquinas rotativas ainda é um assunto pouco abordado. Nesse sentido, busca-se explorar numericamente o comportamento de atuadores baseados em ligas com memória de forma para o controle de vibração em máquinas rotativas. Na primeira análise deste trabalho um rotor tipo Jeffcott com luvas SMA em um dos mancais é utilizado. São empregadas diferentes espessuras de luvas nos estados martensítico e austenítico e as variações em termos de amplitude e frequência são então comparadas. Posteriormente, dois diferentes sistemas rotativos com dois discos e molas SMA aplicadas em um e dois mancais são estudados sob configurações variadas. As molas foram posicionadas externamente aos mancais e a temperatura de operação desses componentes é ajustada de acordo com a necessidade do controle de vibração. Além disso, foi utilizado um código computacional para a representação do comportamento termomecânico de molas SMA assim como um programa baseado no Método de Elementos Finitos (MEF) para a simulação do comportamento dinâmico dos rotores. Os resultados das análises numéricas demonstram que as SMA são eficientes no controle de vibração de sistemas rotativos devido obterem-se reduções significativas das amplitudes de deslocamento, modificações nas velocidades críticas, supressão de movimentos indesejáveis e controle das órbitas de precessão.

Three-dimensional analysis of reinforced concrete members via embedded discontinuity finite elements

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

GENERALIZED FINITE ELEMENT METHOD ON NONCONVENTIONAL HYBRID-MIXED FORMULATION

The generalized finite element method (GFEM) is applied to a nonconventional hybrid-mixed stress formulation (HMSF) for plane analysis. In the HMSF, three approximation fields are involved: stresses and displacements in the domain and displacement fields on the static boundary. The GFEM-HMSF shape functions are then generated by the product of a partition of unity associated to each field and the polynomials enrichment functions. In principle, the enrichment can be conducted independently over each of the HMSF approximation fields. However, stability and convergence features of the resulting numerical method can be affected mainly by spurious modes generated when enrichment is arbitrarily applied to the displacement fields. With the aim to efficiently explore the enrichment possibilities, an extension to GFEM-HMSF of the conventional Zienkiewicz-Patch-Test is proposed as a necessary condition to ensure numerical stability. Finally, once the extended Patch-Test is satisfied, some numerical analyses focusing on the selective enrichment over distorted meshes formed by bilinear quadrilateral finite elements are presented, thus showing the performance of the GFEM-HMSF combination.

Bifurcation analysis of an aeroelastic system with concentrated nonlinearities

Analytical and numerical analyses of the nonlinear response of a three-degree-of-freedom nonlinear aeroelastic system are performed. Particularly, the effects of concentrated structural nonlinearities on the different motions are determined. The concentrated nonlinearities are introduced in the pitch, plunge, and flap springs by adding cubic stiffness in each of them. Quasi-steady approximation and the Duhamel formulation are used to model the aerodynamic loads. Using the quasi-steady approach, we derive the normal form of the Hopf bifurcation associated with the system's instability. Using the nonlinear form, three configurations including supercritical and subcritical aeroelastic systems are defined and analyzed numerically. The characteristics of these different configurations in terms of stability and motions are evaluated. The usefulness of the two aerodynamic formulations in the prediction of the different motions beyond the bifurcation is discussed.

Aplicación de Métodos Meshless al Análisis de Problemas de Autovalores

La presente Tesis Doctoral aborda la aplicación de métodos meshless, o métodos sin malla, a problemas de autovalores, fundamentalmente vibraciones libres y pandeo. En particular, el estudio se centra en aspectos tales como los procedimientos para la resolución numérica del problema de autovalores con estos métodos, el coste computacional y la viabilidad de la utilización de matrices de masa o matrices de rigidez geométrica no consistentes. Además, se acomete en detalle el análisis del error, con el objetivo de determinar sus principales fuentes y obtener claves que permitan la aceleración de la convergencia. Aunque en la actualidad existe una amplia variedad de métodos meshless en apariencia independientes entre sí, se han analizado las diferentes relaciones entre ellos, deduciéndose que el método Element-Free Galerkin Method [Método Galerkin Sin Elementos] (EFGM) es representativo de un amplio grupo de los mismos. Por ello se ha empleado como referencia en este análisis. Muchas de las fuentes de error de un método sin malla provienen de su algoritmo de interpolación o aproximación. En el caso del EFGM ese algoritmo es conocido como Moving Least Squares [Mínimos Cuadrados Móviles] (MLS), caso particular del Generalized Moving Least Squares [Mínimos Cuadrados Móviles Generalizados] (GMLS). La formulación de estos algoritmos indica que la precisión de los mismos se basa en los siguientes factores: orden de la base polinómica p(x), características de la función de peso w(x) y forma y tamaño del soporte de definición de esa función. Se ha analizado la contribución individual de cada factor mediante su reducción a un único parámetro cuantificable, así como las interacciones entre ellos tanto en distribuciones regulares de nodos como en irregulares. El estudio se extiende a una serie de problemas estructurales uni y bidimensionales de referencia, y tiene en cuenta el error no sólo en el cálculo de autovalores (frecuencias propias o carga de pandeo, según el caso), sino también en términos de autovectores. This Doctoral Thesis deals with the application of meshless methods to eigenvalue problems, particularly free vibrations and buckling. The analysis is focused on aspects such as the numerical solving of the problem, computational cost and the feasibility of the use of non-consistent mass or geometric stiffness matrices. Furthermore, the analysis of the error is also considered, with the aim of identifying its main sources and obtaining the key factors that enable a faster convergence of a given problem. Although currently a wide variety of apparently independent meshless methods can be found in the literature, the relationships among them have been analyzed. The outcome of this assessment is that all those methods can be grouped in only a limited amount of categories, and that the Element-Free Galerkin Method (EFGM) is representative of the most important one. Therefore, the EFGM has been selected as a reference for the numerical analyses. Many of the error sources of a meshless method are contributed by its interpolation/approximation algorithm. In the EFGM, such algorithm is known as Moving Least Squares (MLS), a particular case of the Generalized Moving Least Squares (GMLS). The accuracy of the MLS is based on the following factors: order of the polynomial basis p(x), features of the weight function w(x), and shape and size of the support domain of this weight function. The individual contribution of each of these factors, along with the interactions among them, has been studied in both regular and irregular arrangement of nodes, by means of a reduction of each contribution to a one single quantifiable parameter. This assessment is applied to a range of both one- and two-dimensional benchmarking cases, and includes not only the error in terms of eigenvalues (natural frequencies or buckling load), but also of eigenvectors

Otimização acústica e análise numérica do escoamento ao redor de um conjunto cilindro-placa separadora.

RESUMO Simulações de aeroacústica computacional demandam uma quantidade considerável de tempo, o que torna complicada a realização de estudos paramétricos. O presente trabalho propõe uma metodologia viável para otimização aeroacústica. Através da análise numérica utilizando dinâmica dos fluidos computacional, foi estudada a aplicação de uma placa separadora desacoplada como método de controle passivo da esteira turbulenta de um cilindro e avaliou-se a irradiação de ruído causado pela interação do escoamento com ambos os corpos, empregando ferramentas de aeroacústica computacional baseadas no método de Ffowcs-Williams e Hawkings. Algumas abordagens distintas de metodologias de otimização de projeto foram aplicadas neste problema, com o objetivo de chegar a uma configuração otimizada que permita a redução do nível sonoro ao longe. Assim, utilizando uma ferramenta de otimização multidisciplinar, pode-se avaliar a capacidade de modelos heurísticos e a grande vantagem do emprego de algoritmos baseados em método de superfície de resposta quando aplicados em um problema não linear, pois requerem a avaliação de um menor número de alternativas para se obter um ponto ótimo. Além disso, foi possível identificar e agrupar os resultados em 5 clusters baseados em seus parâmetros geométricos, nível de pressão sonora global e o valor quadrático médio do coeficiente de arrasto, confirmando a eficiência da aplicação de placas separadoras longas desacopladas posicionadas próximas ao cilindro na estabilização da esteira turbulenta, enquanto que o posicionamento de placas acima de um espaçamento crítico aumentou o nível de pressão acústica irradiado devido à formação de vórtices no espaço entre o cilindro e a placa separadora.

Theoretical investigation of convective instability in inclined and fluid-saturated three-dimensional fault zones.

The convective instability of pore-fluid flow in inclined and fluid-saturated three-dimensional fault zones has been theoretically investigated in this paper. Due to the consideration of the inclined three-dimensional fault zone with any values of the inclined angle, it is impossible to use the conventional linear stability analysis method for deriving the critical condition (i.e., the critical Rayleigh number) which can be used to investigate the convective instability of the pore-fluid flow in an inclined three-dimensional fault zone system. To overcome this mathematical difficulty, a combination of the variable separation method and the integration elimination method has been used to derive the characteristic equation, which depends on the Rayleigh number and the inclined angle of the inclined three-dimensional fault zone. Using this characteristic equation, the critical Rayleigh number of the system can be numerically found as a function of the inclined angle of the three-dimensional fault zone. For a vertically oriented three-dimensional fault zone system, the critical Rayleigh number of the system can be explicitly derived from the characteristic equation. Comparison of the resulting critical Rayleigh number of the system with that previously derived in a vertically oriented three-dimensional fault zone has demonstrated that the characteristic equation of the Rayleigh number is correct and useful for investigating the convective instability of pore-fluid flow in the inclined three-dimensional fault zone system. The related numerical results from this investigation have indicated that: (1) the convective pore-fluid flow may take place in the inclined three-dimensional fault zone; (2) if the height of the fault zone is used as the characteristic length of the system, a decrease in the inclined angle of the inclined fault zone stabilizes the three-dimensional fundamental convective flow in the inclined three-dimensional fault zone system; (3) if the thickness of the stratum is used as the characteristic length of the system, a decrease in the inclined angle of the inclined fault zone destabilizes the three-dimensional fundamental convective flow in the inclined three-dimensional fault zone system; and that (4) the shape of the inclined three-dimensional fault zone may affect the convective instability of pore-fluid flow in the system. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V.

The Internet's unexploited path diversity

The connectivity of the Internet at the Autonomous System level is influenced by the network operator policies implemented. These in turn impose a direction to the announcement of address advertisements and, consequently, to the paths that can be used to reach back such destinations. We propose to use directed graphs to properly represent how destinations propagate through the Internet and the number of arc-disjoint paths to quantify this network's path diversity. Moreover, in order to understand the effects that policies have on the connectivity of the Internet, numerical analyses of the resulting directed graphs were conducted. Results demonstrate that, even after policies have been applied, there is still path diversity which the Border Gateway Protocol cannot currently exploit.

Stabilization of a passively mode-locked laser by continuous wave optical injection

We investigate numerically and experimentally the properties of a passively mode locked quantum dot semiconductor laser under the influence of cw optical injection. We demonstrate that the waveform instability at high pumping for these devices can be overcome when one mode of the device is locked to the injected master laser and additionally show spectral narrowing and tunability. Experimental and numerical analyses demonstrate that the stable locking boundaries are similar to these obtained for optical injection in CW lasers. © 2010 American Institute of Physics.

Stabilization of a passively mode-locked laser by continuous wave optical injection

We investigate numerically and experimentally the properties of a passively mode locked quantum dot semiconductor laser under the influence of cw optical injection. We demonstrate that the waveform instability at high pumping for these devices can be overcome when one mode of the device is locked to the injected master laser and additionally show spectral narrowing and tunability. Experimental and numerical analyses demonstrate that the stable locking boundaries are similar to these obtained for optical injection in CW lasers. © 2010 American Institute of Physics.