Multiscale Coupling of One-dimensional Vascular Models and Elastic Tissues

We present a computational multiscale model for the efficient simulation of vascularized tissues, composed of an elastic three-dimensional matrix and a vascular network. The effect of blood vessel pressure on the elastic tissue is surrogated via hyper-singular forcing terms in the elasticity equations, which depend on the fluid pressure. In turn, the blood flow in vessels is treated as a one-dimensional network. Intravascular pressure and velocity are simulated using a high-order finite volume scheme, while the elasticity equations for the tissue are solved using a finite element method. This work addresses the feasibility and the potential of the proposed coupled multiscale model. In particular, we assess whether the multiscale model is able to reproduce the tissue response at the effective scale (of the order of millimeters) while modeling the vasculature at the microscale. We validate the multiscale method against a full scale (three-dimensional) model, where the fluid/tissue interface is fully discretized and treated as a Neumann boundary for the elasticity equation. Next, we present simulation results obtained with the proposed approach in a realistic scenario, demonstrating that the method can robustly and efficiently handle the one-way coupling between complex fluid microstructures and the elastic matrix.

Topological sensitivity analysis with respect to a small idealized bolt

PurposeThis paper is devoted to the theoretical and numerical study of a new topological sensitivity concerning the insertion of a small bolt connecting two parts in a mechanical structure. First, an idealized model of bolt is proposed which relies on a non-local interaction between the two ends of the bolt (head and threads) and possibly featuring a pre-stressed state. Second, a formula for the topological sensitivity of such an idealized bolt is rigorously derived for a large class of objective functions. Third, numerical tests are performed in 2D and 3D to assess the efficiency of the bolt topological sensitivity in the case of no pre-stress. In particular, the placement of bolts (acting then as springs) is coupled to the further optimization of their location and to the shape and topology of the structure for volume minimization under compliance constraint.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology relies on the adjoint method and the variational formulation of the linearized elasticity equations in order to establish the topological sensitivity.FindingsThe numerical results prove the influence of the number and locations of the bolts which strongly influence the final optimized design of the structure.Originality/valueThis paper is the first one to study the topology optimization of bolted systems without a fixed prescribed number of bolts.

COMPARISON OF PREDICTED FAILURE AREA AROUND THE BOREHOLES IN THE STRIKE-SLIP FAULTING STRESS REGIME WITH HOEK-BROWN AND FAIRHURST GENERALIZED CRITERIA

Breakout is a shear failure due to compression that forms around the borehole due to stress concentration. In this paper, the breakout theory model is investigated by combining the equilibrium elasticity equations of stress around the borehole with two Hoek-Brown and Fairhurst generalized fracture criteria, both of which are based on the Griffith criterion. This theory model provides an explicit equation for the breakout failure width, but the depth of failure is obtained by solving a quartic equation. According to the results and in general, in situ stresses and rock strength characteristics are effective in developing the breakout failure area, As the ratio of in-situ stresses increases, the breakout area becomes deeper and wider. Because in the shear zone, the failure envelope of the Fairhurst criterion is lower than the Hoek-Brown failure criterion, the Fairhurst criterion provides more depth for breakout than the Hoek-Brown criterion. However, due to the same compressive strength of the rock in these two criteria, the same failure width for breakout is obtained from these two criteria. Also, the results obtained for the depth of failure from the theoretical model based on the Fairhurst criterion are in good agreement with the laboratory results on Westerly granite.

Normal Mode Analysis of Generalized Magneto-Thermoelastic Medium with Initial Stress Under Green-Naghdi Theory

The normal mode analysis method was used to study the effect of both the initial stress and the magnetic field on a thermally elastic body. This method is used to obtain the exact expressions for the considered variables. Some particular cases are also discussed in the context of the problem. The generalized thermal elasticity equations were reviewed under the influence of the basic initial stress and the magnetic field using the theory (Green-Naghdi) of the second and third types (the second type with no energy dispersion and the third type with energy dispersion). The different physical quantities were illustrated in the presence and absence of both the initial stress and the magnetic field. The results of this research show the extent of difference between the second and third types of Green and Naghdi's theory. All results and figures were obtained using (MATLAB R2013a) program

The effect of a pre-existing nanovoid on martensite formation and interface propagation: a phase field study

In the present work, the effect of a pre-existing nanovoid on martensitic phase transformation (PT) is investigated using the phase field approach. The nanovoid is created as a solution of the coupled Cahn–Hilliard and elasticity equations. The coupled Ginzburg–Landau and elasticity equations are solved to capture the martensitic nanostructure. The above systems of equations are solved using the finite element method and COMSOL code. The austenite ( A)–martensite ( M) interface propagation is investigated without the nanovoid and with it for different nanovoid misfit strains and different temperatures. With the nanovoid, the evolution of the moving interface is changed even before it reaches the nanovoid surface due to the nanovoid stress concentration. It is also found that for small misfit strains, pre-transformation occurs near the nanovoid. For larger misfit strains, martensite nucleates and grows near the nanovoid surface and coalesces with the moving interface. The nanovoid shows a promotive effect on the PT with an increase in the rate of transformation, which is discussed based on the transformation work distribution. The effect of the nanovoid is more pronounced on a curved interface. The nanovoid-induced martensitic growth is mainly dependent on the transformation strain tensor. Examples for different transformation strains are presented where a stable non-complete transformed sample with no void becomes unstable in the presence of the nanovoid. The presented model and results will help to develop an interaction model between nanovoids and multiphase structures at the nanoscale.