scholarly journals Stiffness Analysis of Rectangular Isolators Reinforced by Engineering Plastics

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Han Liu ◽  
Ping Tan ◽  
Fulin Zhou

A novel cost-effective isolator reinforced by engineering plastics has been designed and manufactured for seismic protection for low-rise buildings in less developed areas. The reinforcement is flexible in tension, which is similar to fiber-reinforced isolators. However, available solutions for fiber-reinforced isolators are not applicable, because the Poisson effect of engineering plastics cannot be neglected, which is done for fiber reinforcement. In this paper, analytical solutions for compression and bending stiffness for rectangular isolators reinforced by engineering plastics are proposed, with both the Poisson effect of the reinforcement and the effect of rubber compressibility taken into consideration. Then, the simplified solutions are also derived, which can greatly improve calculation efficiency. To validate the solutions, finite element analysis is conducted on a set of isolators with different reinforcement stiffnesses. The results show the superiority of the proposed solutions to the previous solutions for fiber-reinforced isolators. A series of experimental tests of the isolators are also carried out to verify the solutions. Both the analytical and the simplified solutions match well with the experimental results.

Author(s):  
Ehsan Daneshkhah ◽  
Reza Jafari Nedoushan ◽  
Davoud Shahgholian ◽  
Nima Sina

Buckling is one of the common destructive phenomena, which occurs in composite cylinders subjected to external pressure. In this paper, different methods to optimize stacking sequence of these cylinders are investigated. A finite element model is proposed in order to predict critical buckling pressure and the results are validated with previous experimental data. Theoretical analysis based on NASA SP‐8007 solution and the simplified equation for cylinder buckling of ASME RD-1172 are presented and discussed. The results of theoretical and finite element analysis and experimental tests are compared for both glass and carbon epoxy cylinders. Using NASA and ASME formulations, optimal laminations of cylinders in order to maximize buckling pressure, are obtained by genetic algorithm method. Suggested laminations and the values of corresponding critical buckling pressure calculated by finite element analysis, are presented and compared in various states. Obtained results show that while predicted buckling loads of finite element analysis are reliable, NASA formulation can be used in a very cost-effective method to optimize the buckling problems.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (7) ◽  
pp. 170
Author(s):  
Pablo Castillo Ruano ◽  
Alfred Strauss

In recent years, interest in low-cost seismic isolation systems has increased. The replacement of the steel reinforcement in conventional elastomeric bearings for a carbon fiber reinforcement is a possible solution and has garnered increasing attention. To investigate the response of fiber-reinforced elastomeric bearings (FREBs) under seismic loads, it is fundamental to understand its mechanical behavior under combined vertical and horizontal loads. An experimental investigation of the components presents complexities due to the high loads and displacements tested. The use of a finite element analysis can save time and resources by avoiding partially expensive experimental campaigns and by extending the number of geometries and topologies to be analyzed. In this work, a numerical model for carbon fiber-reinforced bearings is implemented, calibrated, and validated and a set of virtual experiments is designed to investigate the behavior of the bearings under combined compressive and lateral loading. Special focus is paid to detailed modeling of the constituent materials. The elastomeric matrix is modeled using a phenomenological rheological model based on the hyperelastic formulation developed by Yeoh and nonlinear viscoelasticity. The model aims to account for the hysteretic nonlinear hyper-viscoelastic behavior using a rheological formulation that takes into consideration hyperelasticity and nonlinear viscoelasticity and is calibrated using a series of experiments, including uniaxial tension tests, planar tests, and relaxation tests. Special interest is paid to capturing the energy dissipated in the unbonded fiber-reinforced elastomeric bearing in an accurate manner. The agreement between the numerical results and the experimental data is assessed, and the influence of parameters such as shape factor, aspect ratio, vertical pressure, and fiber reinforcement orientation on stress distribution in the bearings as well as in the mechanical properties is discussed.


2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-13
Author(s):  
Tae-Hwan Kim ◽  
Wie-Dae Kim ◽  
Chul-Gon Jeong

Author(s):  
Naveen Viswanatha ◽  
Mark Avis ◽  
Moji Moatamedi

The surround and the spider of the loudspeaker suspension are modelled in ANSYS to carry out finite element analysis. The displacement dependent nonlinearities arising from the suspension are studied and the material and geometric effects leading to the nonlinearities are parameterised. The ANSYS models are simulated to be excited by a sinusoidal load and the results are evaluated by comparison with the results obtained by a physical model. The paper illustrates how practical models can be analysed using cost effective finite element models and also the extension of the models to experiment on various parameters, like changing the geometry for optimisation, by computer simulation.


2016 ◽  
Vol 715 ◽  
pp. 174-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chih Hsing Liu ◽  
Ying Chia Huang ◽  
Chen Hua Chiu ◽  
Yu Cheng Lai ◽  
Tzu Yang Pai

This paper presents the analysis methods for design of automotive bumper covers. The bumper covers are plastic structures attached to the front and rear ends of an automobile and are expected to absorb energy in a minor collision. One requirement in design of the bumper covers is to minimize the bumper deflection within a limited range under specific loadings at specific locations based on the design guideline. To investigate the stiffness performance under various loading conditions, a numerical model based on the explicit dynamic finite element analysis (FEA) using the commercial FEA solver, LS-DYNA, is developed to analyze the design. The experimental tests are also carried out to verify the numerical model. The thickness of the bumper cover is a design variable which usually varies from 3 to 4 mm depending on locations. To improve the stiffness of the bumper, an optimal design for the bumper under a pre-defined loading condition is identified by using the topology optimization approach, which is an optimal design method to obtain the optimal layout of an initial design domain under specific boundary conditions. The outcome of this study provides an efficient and cost-effective method to predict and improve the design of automotive bumper covers.


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