Performance of displacement finite elements for modelling incompressible materials

It is well established that severe numerical difficulties may arise when the displacement finite element method is used to analyse the behaviour of incompressible solids and this is particularly true for axisymmetric problems. These numerical difficulties are caused by excessive kinematic constraints and are reflected by strong oscillations in the calculated stress distribution and overestimations of collapse loads. The purpose of this paper is to present new displacement finite element formulations which are particularly suitable for axisymmetric analysis of incompressible materials. A direct comparison is made of the performance of various displacement finite elements in the analysis of elastic or plastic incompressible materials under axisymmetric loading conditions. Particular attention is focused on the performance of various axisymmetric displacement elements in predicting the stress field of incompressible or nearly incompressible materials. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Numerical manifold method for dynamic nonlinear analysis of saturated porous media

It is well known that the Babuska–Brezzi stability criterion or the Zienkiewicz–Taylor patch test precludes the use of the finite elements with the same low order of interpolation for displacement and pore pressure in the nearly incompressible and undrained cases, unless some stabilization techniques are introduced for dynamic analysis of saturated porous medium where coupling occurs between the displacement of solid skeleton and pore pressure. The numerical manifold method (NMM), where the interpolation of displacement and pressure can be determined independently in an element for the solution of u–p formulation, is derived based on triangular mesh for the requirement of high accurate calculations from practical applications in the dynamic analysis of saturated porous materials. The matrices of equilibrium equations for the second‐order displacement and the first‐order pressure manifold method are given in detail for program coding. By close comparison with widely used finite element method, the NMM presents good stability for the coupling problems, particularly in the nearly incompressible and undrained cases. Numerical examples are given to illustrate the validity and stability of the manifold element developed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Localization of deformations in elastic-plastic solids

Localization of deformation in elastic-plastic solids subject to plane strain deformation are investigated numerically. It is shown that the localization may be captured accurately in finite element models by employing (1) the elastic-plastic material stiffness to form the global stiffness, (2) in the case of symmetrical configurations, an imperfection in the form of a weak element, and (3) in the case of incompressible materials, a reduced selective integration scheme which alleviates mesh ‘locking’. Accuracy of the technique is demonstrated by applying it to analyse the classical punch and slope stability problems. Its versatility is illustrated by applying it to analyse finite deformation problems and shear bands formations in associative and non-associative elastic-plastic solids.     

Finite element analysis of two cylindrical expansion problems involving nearly incompressible material behaviour

The displacement formulation of the finite element method is well suited to the analysis of elasto-plasticity problems involving compressible material behaviour, but it is well known that numerical difficulties occur when the material is incompressible or nearly incompressible. The effect of these additional constraints depends on both element formulation and mesh topology. A two-dimensional plane strain finite element formulation suitable for the solution of problems involving large strains and displacements (but small rotations) based on the isoparametric approach is described. The kinematics of deformation are defined in terms of the Eulerian strain rates that are invariably used in small strain analysis; the formulation therefore retains some of the character of small strain theory but includes additional geometrically non-linear terms. The results of a series of plane strain finite element analyses of two cylindrical expansion problems are presented. These results confirm the previously observed trend that as Poisson's ratio approaches 0·5 then the quality of the calculated stress deteriorates. The study also indicates that the solution quality depends increasingly on mesh topology as perfect incompressibility is reached.     

Discontinuous analysis of softening solids under impact loading

Softening solids are analysed under impact loading using a new numerical method which allows displacement discontinuities to propagate arbitrarily through a finite element mesh. The Dirac‐delta distributions that arise in the strain field of classical continuum theory in the presence of strain softening are interpreted as discontinuities in the displacement field. A new finite element procedure with Heaviside jumps added to the underlying displacement interpolation basis is able to capture displacement jumps independent of the spatial discretisation. The amplitudes of displacement jumps are represented by extra degrees of freedom at existing nodes. Numerical results for mode‐I and mode‐II failure due to impact loading are presented. The numerical results highlight the objectivity of the approach with respect to spatial discretisation under dynamic loading conditions. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Numerical Analysis of Space–Time Finite Element Formulations for Miscible Displacements

A finite element formulation is proposed to approximate a nonlinear system of partial differential equations, composed by an elliptic subsystem for the pressure–velocity and a transport equation (convection–diffusion) for the concentration, which models the incompressible miscible displacement of one fluid by another in a rigid porous media. The pressure is approximated by the classical Galerkin method and the velocity is calculated by a post-processing technique. Then, the concentration is obtained by a Galerkin/least-squares space–time (GLS/ST) finite element method. A numerical analysis is developed for the concentration approximation. Then, stability, convergence and numerical results are presented confirming the a priori error estimates.     

三维有限元位移场插值问题的研究和应用

对三维有限元位移场的插值问题进行了研究,提出基于Delaunay三角剖分的二次细分网格法。该法首先建立2个模型--整体模型和局部二次细分模型,对整体模型进行有限元计算和反分析得到初始地应力场和位移场;然后,基于Delaunay三角剖分,对整体模型的三维有限元位移场进行插值,插值结果作为局部模型的边界位移,局部二次细分模型再在此基础上进行有限元分析。最后,将该方法应用于工程实践,证明能提高计算效率,是切实可行的。     

Numerical Analysis of Space–Time Finite Element Formulations for Miscible Displacements

A finite element formulation is proposed to approximate a nonlinear system of partial differential equations, composed by an elliptic subsystem for the pressure–velocity and a transport equation (convection–diffusion) for the concentration, which models the incompressible miscible displacement of one fluid by another in a rigid porous media. The pressure is approximated by the classical Galerkin method and the velocity is calculated by a post-processing technique. Then, the concentration is obtained by a Galerkin/least-squares space–time (GLS/ST) finite element method. A numerical analysis is developed for the concentration approximation. Then, stability, convergence and numerical results are presented confirming the a priori error estimates.     

A stabilized assumed deformation gradient finite element formulation for strongly coupled poromechanical simulations at finite strain

An adaptively stabilized finite element scheme is proposed for a strongly coupled hydro‐mechanical problem in fluid‐infiltrating porous solids at finite strain. We first present the derivation of the poromechanics model via mixture theory in large deformation. By exploiting assumed deformation gradient techniques, we develop a numerical procedure capable of simultaneously curing the multiple‐locking phenomena related to shear failure, incompressibility imposed by pore fluid, and/or incompressible solid skeleton and produce solutions that satisfy the inf‐sup condition. The template‐based generic programming and automatic differentiation (AD) techniques used to implement the stabilized model are also highlighted. Finally, numerical examples are given to show the versatility and efficiency of this model. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

海上风电桩基础竖向承载力循环弱化简化分析

提出了一个考虑循环衰减作用的软黏土弹塑性损伤弱化模型,在此模型基础上建立了一个基于剪切位移法的单桩竖向承载力简化计算方法,并利用大型有限元软件进行了不同循环荷载水平下单桩竖向承载力的计算。为了证明简化方法的准确性与有效性,将计算结果与有限元计算结果进行对比,二者的吻合度较高。先期循环荷载能引起单桩竖向承载力弱化,并且弱化程度随先期循环荷载水平的增加而增加。最后将简化方法应用于某海上风电场桩基础承载力的计算中,结果表明,提出的简化方法可应用于实际工程问题的分析。     

Frictionless contact formulation for dynamic analysis of nonlinear saturated porous media based on the mortar method

A finite element algorithm for frictionless contact problems in a two‐phase saturated porous medium, considering finite deformation and inertia effects, has been formulated and implemented in a finite element programme. The mechanical behaviour of the saturated porous medium is predicted using mixture theory, which models the dynamic advection of fluids through a fully saturated porous solid matrix. The resulting mixed formulation predicts all field variables including the solid displacement, pore fluid pressure and Darcy velocity of the pore fluid. The contact constraints arising from the requirement for continuity of the contact traction, as well as the fluid flow across the contact interface, are enforced using a penalty approach that is regularised with an augmented Lagrangian method. The contact formulation is based on a mortar segment‐to‐segment scheme that allows the interpolation functions of the contact elements to be of order N. The main thrust of this paper is therefore how to deal with contact interfaces in problems that involve both dynamics and consolidation and possibly large deformations of porous media. The numerical algorithm is first verified using several illustrative examples. This algorithm is then employed to solve a pipe‐seabed interaction problem, involving large deformations and dynamic effects, and the results of the analysis are also compared with those obtained using a node‐to‐segment contact algorithm. The results of this study indicate that the proposed method is able to solve the highly nonlinear problem of dynamic soil–structure interaction when coupled with pore water pressures and Darcy velocity. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A multiscale finite element formulation for axisymmetric elastoplasticity with volumetric locking

Similar to plane strain, axisymmetric stress problem is also highly kinematics constrained. Standard displacement‐based finite element exhibits volumetric locking issue in simulating nearly/fully incompressible material or isochoric plasticity under axisymmetric loading conditions, which severely underestimates the deformation and overestimates the bearing capacity for structural/geotechnical engineering problems. The aim of this paper is to apply variational multiscale method to produce a stabilized mixed displacement–pressure formulation, which can effectively alleviate the volumetric locking issue for axisymmetric stress problem. Both nearly incompressible elasticity and isochoric J₂ elastoplasticity are investigated. First‐order 3‐node triangular and 4‐node quadrilateral elements are tested for locking issues. Several representative simulations are provided to demonstrate the performance of the linear elements, which include the convergence study and comparison with closed‐form solutions. A comparative study with pressure Laplacian stabilized formulation is also presented. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于超载法的拱坝坝肩地震动力稳定性方法研究

拱坝坝肩地震动力稳定性一直是工程界关注的一大热点,然而对坝肩动力稳定性的评判方法和标准的研究还不成熟。为完善坝肩动力稳定分析方法,将有限元法与刚体极限平衡法的优势相结合,提出了地震动力超载方法以及极限累积位移评判标准。首先,基于有限元法开展实时动力分析,对坝肩可能的滑移块体采用多重网格应力插值求任意时刻的阻滑力和下滑力,确定其主滑方向,而后采用刚体极限平衡法计算每个滑块的动安全系数;同时,对瞬时动安全系数小于1.0的时段,进行加速度积分,求出滑块累积失稳位移。结合滑块尺寸及滑动面强度参数提出极限累积位移计算公式作为失稳判据,通过比较累积位移与极限累积位移判定滑块的稳定性。基于以上思路开发了一套坝肩动力稳定分析系统SAFEDAM。以沙牌拱坝经受反映5.12地震的人工波为例,开展了沙牌拱坝坝肩动力超载稳定分析,验证了极限累积位移判据的合理性。研究表明,沙牌左岸坝肩超载稳定安全倍数Kp0 =3.2,右岸坝肩超载稳定安全倍数Kp0 =4.2。工程实例计算表明,该方法计算坝肩动力稳定性使用较为方便可靠,具有较大的工程实用价值,为坝肩动力稳定性分析和评价提供了一条新路径。     

弹性介质分向插值无限元

无限元是一种有效的人工边界,可用于处理弹性波的传播问题。在传统动力无限元的基础上,提出了一种采用分向插值技术的新型动力无限元,详细地推导了这种无限元的形函数,建立了完全解析形式的刚度矩阵,以提高计算效率,采用该无限元边界,计算了弹性介质中的线源Lamb问题,通过对比解析解答的地基表面位移,验证了该无限元的有效性。算例分析表明,采用此类无限元时,有限元单元边长建议取不超过1/8剪切波波长,网格边界到激励源点的距离宜取5倍剪切波波长。无限单元中的幅值衰减系数对计算结果影响甚微,建议取较小值。     

A new approach for calculating strain for particulate media

Discrete element modelling is a viable alternative to conventional continuum‐based analysis for analysing problems involving localized deformations of particulate media. However, to aid in the interpretation of the results, it is useful to express the results of discrete element analyses in terms of the continuum parameters of stress and strain. A number of homogenization methods have been proposed to calculate strain in discrete systems; however, two significant limitations of these methods remain. First, none of these methods incorporate particle rotation effects satisfactorily, although significant particle rotation occurs in shear bands in both physical tests and numerical simulations of granular materials. Additionally, observations of the particle displacement fields in shear bands in granular materials indicate that the displacements within the localizations are erratic. Consequently, existing linear, local interpolation approaches produce substantial variations in the strain values calculated in adjacent elements in the region of localization, hindering clear visualization of the strain localization as it evolves. A new method of domain discretization for calculating strain is proposed. This method is capable of capturing particle rotation and employs a non‐local meshfree interpolation procedure capable of smoothing the erratic displacements in strain localizations, which better defines their evolution. The proposed method is validated for problems involving both two and three dimensions. A number of methods are compared with the proposed method and pertinent insights are made. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Pore‐scale modeling of fluid‐particles interaction and emerging poromechanical effects

A micro‐hydromechanical model for granular materials is presented. It combines the discrete element method for the modeling of the solid phase and a pore‐scale finite volume formulation for the flow of an incompressible pore fluid. The coupling equations are derived and contrasted against the equations of conventional poroelasticity. An analogy is found between the discrete element method pore‐scale finite volume coupling and Biot's theory in the limit case of incompressible phases. The simulation of an oedometer test validates the coupling scheme and demonstrates the ability of the model to capture strong poromechanical effects. A detailed analysis of microscale strain and stress confirms the analogy with poroelasticity. An immersed deposition problem is finally simulated and shows the potential of the method to handle phase transitions. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Embedded discontinuity approach for coupled hydromechanical analysis of fractured porous media

In this paper, a new continuum approach for the coupled hydromechanical analysis of fractured porous media is proposed. The methodology for describing the hydraulic characteristics invokes an enriched form of Darcy's law formulated in the presence of an embedded discontinuity. The constitutive relations governing the hydromechanical response are derived by averaging the fluid pressure gradient and the discontinuous displacement fields over a selected referential volume of the material, subject to some physical constraints. The framework incorporates an internal length scale which is explicitly embedded in the definition of gradient operators. The respective field equations are derived following the general form of balance equations in interacting continua. The conventional finite element method is then employed for the spatial discretization, and the generalized Newmark scheme is used for the temporal discretization. The proposed methodology is verified by some numerical examples dealing with a steady-state flow through fractured media as well as a time-dependent consolidation in the presence of a discontinuity.     

Softening,localization and stabilization: capture of discontinuous solutions in J2 plasticity

This paper exploits the concept of stabilization techniques to improve the behaviour of mixed linear/linear simplicial elements (triangles and tetrahedra) in incompressible or nearly incompressible situations. Elasto-J2-plastic constitutive behaviour has been considered with linear and exponential softening. Two different stabilization methods are used to attain global stability of the corresponding discrete finite element formulation. Implementation and computational aspects are also discussed, showing that a robust application of the proposed formulation is feasible. Numerical examples show that the formulation derived is free of volumetric locking and spurious oscillations of the pressure. The results obtained do not suffer from spurious mesh-size or mesh-bias dependence, comparing very favourably with those obtained with the standard, non-stabilized, approaches. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.