Dynamic modeling of cable towed body using nodal position finite element method

This paper analyses nonlinear dynamics of cable towed body system. The cable has been modeled and analyzed using a new nodal position finite element method, which calculates the position of the cable directly instead of the displacement by the existing finite element method. The newly derived nodal position finite element method eliminates the need of decoupling the rigid body motion from the total motion, where numerical errors arise in the existing nonlinear finite element method, and the limitation of small rotation in each time step in the existing nonlinear finite element method. The towed body is modeled as a rigid body with six degrees of freedom while the tow ship motion is treated as a moving boundary to the system. A special procedure has been developed to couple the cable element with the towed body. The current approach can be used as design tool for achieving improved directional stability, maneuverability, safety and control characteristics with the cable towed body. The analysis results show the elegance and robustness of the proposed approach by comparing with the sea trial data.     

Nonlinear joint flexibility element for the modeling of jacket-type offshore platforms

A new nonlinear two-dimensional tubular joint element is developed in this study on the basis of flexibility equations and the interaction between the axial force and the in-plane bending moment in the joint. Empirical equations are used to define the joint yielding in the axial direction and the in-plane rotation. An elastic-perfectly plastic yield function is adopted to include the combined effects of axial loads and bending moments on the yielding of the joint. The element formulation is straightforward, and it can readily be implemented in nonlinear finite element programs. Verification studies are carried out for the element to prove its suitability for the modeling of tubular joints of offshore jacket structures. It is concluded that the nonlinear joint model that has been developed produces accurate results, verified against experimental data as well as against sophisticated multi-axial finite element joint models.     

Physical and finite element modeling of lateral stability of offshore skirted gravity structures subjected to iceberg impact load

Static stability mainly against sliding of a typical, relatively large skirted gravity structure was investigated using three-dimensional finite element modeling. The numerical model was validated against centrifuge test results. A specific set of dimensions was chosen to model a typical skirted gravity structure in a centrifuge with two types of foundation soils: uniform saturated sand and a clay zone sandwiched between two sand layers. Soil shear strength parameters used in the finite element models were estimated from in-flight cone penetration resistance measurements obtained in the centrifuge. Numerical parametric studies were conducted using the validated finite element model. The parameters included were the depth and strength of the clay zone and the inclination of external load. It is shown that a relatively simple three-dimensional finite element model was effective in providing information that would be needed to design such a critical and expensive offshore structure. Basic Mohr-Coulomb strength parameters and moduli based on cone penetration resistance measurements and published empirical correlations were appropriate in modeling the soils in the finite element simulations.     

水流作用下渔网养殖空间变化的计算方法

渔网的动力分析是养殖网箱设计和优化的基础。通过把一系列杆相互铰接在一起,建立网的模型,模拟网在来流作用下的变形。作用在杆上的水动力可以通过Morison公式来计算,采用有限单元的离散方法,并利用网目合并的方法来减少总的自由度数目。模型的计算结果同试验成果做了对比,计算与试验在柔性网的变形方面,结果吻合良好。     

Static and dynamic analyses of three-dimensional hollow concrete block revetments using polyhedral finite element method

In this study, we exploit the flexibility and advantages of polyhedral finite elements in modeling 3D hollow concrete block revetments. In the present method, a new concept is proposed, in which the polyhedral elements are subdivided into sub-tetrahedrons through virtual nodes located at the centroids of the faces and element. Piecewise linear shape functions of polyhedral elements are constructed for the sub-tetrahedrons. Then, the shape functions are used to formulate the stiffness and mass matrices. By this way, the present approach yields lower computational cost than that of the standard polyhedral finite element method based on rational basis functions. The presented method suits well general polyhedral meshes including concave elements, which are used to model 3D complicated structures in design of coastal defenses system protection such as interlocking revetments. Reliability and effectiveness of the present approach are validated by the well-known commercial ANSYS software through static and dynamic analysis.     

Bearing capacity of semi-deep skirted foundations on clay using stress characteristics and finite element analyses

Semi-deep skirted foundations are now considered to be a viable foundation option for a variety of onshore and offshore applications. The capacity under combined vertical, horizontal, and moment loadings must be found to ensure their capability and stability. In this study, undrained bearing capacity subjected to vertical loading, as part of combined loading is determined through stress characteristics and finite element analyses. Circular skirted foundations with different soil strength and geometries considering embedment depth effects have been studied. Stress field, kinematic mechanism accompanying failure, and bearing capacity factors for various embedment ratios are investigated. Acquired vertical failure mechanism has demonstrated the transition from a general shear to a punch shear failure. Comparisons with different research works including conventional methods, upper and lower bound, finite element analyses, physical modeling, experimental, and centrifuge tests have indicated the underestimation of conventional approaches and accuracy of proposed methods in determining bearing capacity. Furthermore, differences between predicted bearing capacities and the results of this study increased with D/B ratio due to ignoring the significant role of skin friction in larger embedment circumference.     

The application of wave induced forces to a two-dimensional finite element long wave hydrodynamic model

This paper describes the modification of a two-dimensional finite element long wave hydrodynamic model in order to predict the net current and water levels attributable to the influences of waves. Tests examine the effects of the application of wave induced forces, including comparisons to a physical experiment. An example of a real river system is presented with comparisons to measured data, which demonstrate the importance of simulating the combined effects of tides and waves upon hydrodynamic behavior.     

Numerical modeling of Boussinesq equations by finite element method

In this paper, a numerical model based on the improved Boussinesq equations derived by Beji and Nadaoka [Beji, S., Nadaoka, K., 1996. A formal derivation and numerical modeling of the improved Boussinesq equations for varying depth. Ocean Eng. 23 (8), 691–704] is presented. The finite element method is used to discretize the spatial derivatives. Quadrilateral elements with linear interpolating functions are employed for the two horizontal velocity components and the water surface elevation. The time integration is performed using the Adams–Bashforth–Moulton predictor–corrector method. Five test cases for which either theoretical solutions or laboratory results are available are employed to test the proposed scheme. The model is capable of giving satisfactory predictions in all cases.     

具有裂纹损伤桩腿的海洋石油平台有限元分析

采用有限元分析方法和断裂力学方法,将含裂纹构件的裂纹以线弹簧处理,建立了带有裂纹损伤桩腿的等效梁和管单元的单元刚度矩阵的计算方法。对检验方法的正确性,使用该方法对几种损伤构件进行了强度计算,并与有限元细化网格计算结果和实验结果进行比较,最后将等效单元计算程序接入大型有限元程序ＳｕｐｅｒＳＡＰ,对受损后的平台整体结构进行了应力计算和强度分析。     

Development of structural modeling techniques for evaluating HDPE plastic net pens used in marine aquaculture

Finite-element modeling (FEM) techniques are developed to determine the structural capabilities of net pen flotation structures made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The modeling approach uses shell elements and localized failure criteria to predict critical loading conditions. Finite element modeling simulations were performed using values for the modulus of elasticity for weathered HDPE determined from a series of tensile tests. Poisson's ratio and yield stress used with the approach were obtained from standard manufacturers values. To investigate the method, a series of experiments were performed in the laboratory by testing circular sections of HDPE pipe to localized failure (“kinking”). The same test was replicated with the FEM using localized failure techniques. Laboratory and model results were within 16%. A FEM was then built to represent the complex geometry of a net pen flotation structure deployed at an operational fish farm located in Eastport, ME, USA. Simulations were performed using attachment line tension values measured at the site. The goal was to assess flotation pipe stress levels for typical operational conditions. Simulations were also performed to investigate the maximum capabilities of the net pen structure with different attachment line configurations. Quantifying the operational limits will become more important as these systems are considered for more exposed, energetic environments.     

Improving force resultant model for anchors in clays from large deformation finite element analysis

Abstract

This paper presents an improved plasticity force-resultant model for anchors deeply embedded in clays, developed from large deformation finite element analyses. The current available force-resultant models for anchors are mainly developed from small strain finite element analysis while experimental approach has not been used due to technical challenges. The advantage of large deformation finite element analysis is that it provides much more data points to fit the yield surface than small strain finite element analysis, in addition to avoiding excess mesh distortion problems. Furthermore, the flow rule or normality can be effectively checked in the large deformation finite element analysis and further used to improve the fitting quality. After validated against retrospective simulations, the better performance of the developed plasticity force-resultant model is demonstrated by comparing with available experimental observations from centrifuge test.     

Full-range nonlinear analysis of fatigue behaviors of reinforced concrete structures by finite element method

Ｆｕｌｌ－ｒａｎｇｅｎｏｎｌｉｎｅａｒａｎａｌｙｓｉｓｏｆｆａｔｉｇｕｅｂｅｈａｖｉｏｒｓｏｆｒｅｉｎｆｏｒｃｅｄｃｏｎｃｒｅｔｅｓｔｒｕｃｔｕｒｅｓｂｙｆｉｎｉｔｅｅｌｅｍｅｎｔｍｅｔｈｏｄ￥ＳｏｎｇＹｕｐｕ；ＺｈａｏＳｈｕｎｂｏ；ＷａｎｇＲｕｉｍ...     

Finite element analysis of ship structures using a new stiffened plate element

A new stiffened plate element is developed for the three-dimensional finite element analysis of ship structures. The plate element can accommodate any number of arbitrarily oriented stiffeners and obviates the use of mesh lines along the stiffeners. The new element provides a very economic global analysis of the complete ship structure with fewer elements and without any loss of accuracy. The global analysis of a rectangular box shaped vessel is carried out with the present element and compared with the general-purpose finite element software NISA. An Offshore Tug/Supply Vessel is analysed for crest at perpendiculars.     

Non-hydrostatic finite element model for coastal wave processes

This paper presents the application of the depth-integrated non-hydrostatic finite element model, CCHE2D-NHWAVE (Wei and Jia, 2014), for simulating several types of coastal wave processes. Specifically, the model is applied to (1) predict the swash zone hydrodynamics involving wave bore propagation, (2) resolve wave propagation, breaking, and overtopping in fringing reef environments, (3) study the vegetation effect on wave height reduction through both submerged and emergent vegetation zones using the drag force term technique, and (4) simulate tsunami wave breaking in the nearshore zone and inundation in the coastal area. Satisfactory agreement between numerical results and benchmark data shows that the non-hydrostatic model is capable of modeling a wide range of coastal wave processes. Furthermore, thanks to its simple numerical formulation, the non-hydrostatic model also demonstrates a better computation efficiency when comparing with other numerical models.     

The simulation of the geometry of a tuna purse seine under current and drift of purse seiner

It was necessary to obtain a more practical interactive precise model of the three-dimensional (3-D) geometry during purse seine operations considering movements of fishing vessel and details of the sea condition. The changes in the shape of a purse seine from shooting to pursing during pelagic skipjack fishing was recorded in the Southwest Pacific Ocean by photographs of the scanning sonar with in situ measurements of water flow by a current meter. The modeling of 3-D geometry during purse seining was established using finite element methods, as resultant force vector from flow drag, buoyancy, sinking force, tension of pulling or pursing acting on net panels in connection with drift of fishing vessel with time elapsed from the start of shooting to the end of pursing. The simulation results were matched closely by field measurements as a heart-like shape in upper net near floatline and a water-drop shape in purse line following drift of ship towards inside net circle during pursing. This model of a purse seine can be extended to almost any kind of purse seine generating real fishing parameters and to modeling fish capture process.     

An updated Lagrangian finite element formulation for large displacement dynamic analysis of three-dimensional flexible riser structures

An updated Lagrangian finite element formulation of a three-dimensional annular section beam element is presented for large displacement and large rotation dynamic analyses of flexible riser structures. In this formulation a new linearization method is used to avoid inaccuracies normally associated with other linearization schemes. The effects of buoyancy force as well as steady state current loading are considered in the finite element solution for riser structures response. The formulation has been implemented in a nonlinear finite element code and the results are compared with those obtained from other schemes reported in the literature.     

桶型基础结构与土壤相互作用的有限元—无限元—接触元耦合线性分析

桶型基础是一种新型的海洋基础结构型式，在负压作用下的下沉过程中，桶型基础结构与地基产生了相互作用，考虑结构与土壤的相互作用的强度分析为桶型基础的设计提供依据，本文将有限元－无限地－接触元相耦合的线性数值分析方法引入桶型基础的结构与土壤之间的相互作用的强度分析，采用接触单元考虑结构与土壤之间的错动滑移及拉裂，采用无限元更有效地反映地基无限域的远场效应，还推导出三节点，七节点，八节点三种新形式的单向无限地坐标映射函数，应用该方法的计算结果与模型试验结果比较，取得较好的效果。     

潮致泥沙全沙净输运解析模式

泥沙运动作为水流和底床相互作用的纽带,是河流、河口及海岸工程研究的重要内容。在潮波作用明显的河口、海岸地区,周期性的动力作用下的泥沙运动具有往复和可逆的特征,因此研究这类水域的泥沙的净输运更具有实际的意义。基于泥沙输运和流速呈指数关系假设,建立潮流环境下的泥沙全沙净输运的解析解公式,并对该公式的计算结果和数值计算以及数学模型的结果进行了检验和验证,结果表明本研究提出的公式能较好地反应潮流环境下的泥沙净输运。由此,基于本公式采用潮流分潮调和常数可计算得到全沙净输运,并可以分析各分潮流及其相互作用与泥沙净输运的关系。研究结果显示,在受径流影响较大的半日潮河口,S2、MS4、M2三潮相互作用对全沙净输运的贡献显著高于通常的潮流不对称作用,即M2、M4的相互作用。此外,河口区域径流导致的余流对泥沙净输运的贡献不可忽略,特别是在洪季,大径流量条件下往往导致余流较大,其对泥沙净输运的贡献所占比例较大。     

A mixed discontinuous/continuous finite element pair for shallow-water ocean modelling

We introduce a mixed discontinuous/continuous finite element pair for ocean modelling, with continuous quadratic layer thickness and discontinuous velocity. We investigate the finite element pair applied to the linear shallow-water equations on an f-plane. The element pair has the property that all geostrophically balanced states which strongly satisfy the boundary conditions have discrete divergence equal to exactly zero and hence are exactly steady states of the discretised equations. This means that the finite element pair has excellent geostrophic balance properties. We also show that the element pair applied to the non-rotating linear shallow-water equations does not have any spurious small eigenvalues. We illustrate these properties using numerical tests and provide convergence calculations which show that the numerical solutions have errors which decay quadratically with element edge length for both velocity and layer thickness.     

有限元联解方法在珠江河口水动力研究中的应用

总结了河口二维模型与河网一维模型联解的计算方法的优缺点,借鉴弹性力学中利用有限元法通过固结杆件与块体的连接结点实现两构件组合计算的思路,提出有限元联解方法,实现珠江河网与河口水动力整体求解.应用研究表明,该方法合理,计算结果较理想.