S.Y. Wang^1,2, K.M. Lim^2,3, B.C. Khoo^2,3, M.Y. Wang⁴

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.21, No.3, pp. 219-238, 2007, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2007.021.219

Abstract Hole nucleation is an important issue not yet fully addressed in structural topology optimization using the level set methods. In this paper, a consistent and robust nucleation method is proposed to overcome the inconsistencies in the existing implementations and to allow for smooth hole nucleation in the conventional shape derivatives-based level set methods to avoid getting stuck at a premature local optimum. The extension velocity field is constructed to be consistent with the mutual energy density and favorable for hole nucleation. A negative extension velocity driven nucleation mechanism is established due to the physically meaningful driving force. An extension velocity… More >

S.Y. Wang^1,2, K.M. Lim^2,3, B.C. Khoo^2,3, M.Y. Wang⁴

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.21, No.1, pp. 1-40, 2007, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2007.021.001

Abstract The level set method is a numerical technique for simulating moving interfaces. In this paper, an unconditionally BIBO (Bounded-Input-Bounded-Output) time-stable consistent meshfree level set method is proposed and applied as a more effective approach to simultaneous shape and topology optimization. In the present level set method, the meshfree infinitely smooth inverse multiquadric Radial Basis Functions (RBFs) are employed to discretize the implicit level set function. A high level of smoothness of the level set function and accuracy of the solution to the Hamilton-Jacobi partial differential equation (PDE) can be achieved. The resulting dynamic system of coupled Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs)… More >

S.Y. Wang^1,2, K.M. Lim^2,3, B.C. Khoo^2,3, M.Y. Wang⁴

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.18, No.3, pp. 155-182, 2007, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2007.018.155

Abstract In this paper, a geometric deformation constrained level set method is presented as an effective approach for structural shape and topology optimization. A level set method is used to capture the motion of the free boundary of a structure. Furthermore, the geometric deformation of the free boundary is constrained to preserve the structural connectivity and/or topology during the level set evolution. An image-processing-based structural connectivity and topology preserving approach is proposed. A connected components labeling technique based on the 4-neighborhood connectivity measure and a binary image is used for the present region identification. The corresponding binary image after an exploratory… More >

Tarun Kant¹, Sandeep S. Pendhari², Yogesh M. Desai³

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.17, No.2, pp. 135-162, 2007, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2007.017.135

Abstract A two-point boundary value problem (BVP) is formed in the present work governed by a set of first-order coupled ordinary differential equations (ODEs) in terms of displacements and the transverse stresses through the thickness of laminate (in domain -h/2 < z < h/2) by introducing partial discretization methodology only in the plan area of the three dimensional (3D) laminate. The primary dependent variables in the ODEs are those which occur naturally on a plane z=a constant. An effective numerical integration (NI) technique is utilized for tackling the two-point BVP in an efficient manner. Numerical studies on cross-ply and angle-ply composite… More >

Toshihisa Nishioka ¹,

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.10, No.3, pp. 209-216, 2005, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2005.010.209

Abstract Recent Advances in Numerical Simulation Technologies for Various Dynamic Fracture Phenomena are summarized. First, the basic concepts of fracture simulations are explained together with pertinent simulation results. Next, Examples of dynamic fracture simulations are presented. More >

Michihiko Nakagaki¹, Shuji Takashima², Ryosuke Matsumoto¹, Noriyuki Miyazaki²

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.10, No.3, pp. 199-208, 2005, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2005.010.199

Abstract The present paper focuses on the micromechanical phenomena occurring in the polycrystalline metal materials. Correlations between the material hardening and the plastic lattice dislocation were discussed with the presence of the grain boundary. The characteristic distribution of the plastic strain gradient is numerically recognized, and hence the validity of incorporating the strain gradient term in the constitutive law is demonstrated. Also, the modeling of the inclusion interface sliding and debonding was performed on the equivalent inclusion theory to develop the constitutive law for the composite. The sliding model is considered to be effective to model the superplastic behavior of highly… More >

Michael Yu Wang¹, Xiaoming Wang²

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.6, No.4, pp. 373-396, 2004, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2004.006.373

Abstract This paper addresses the problem of structural shape and topology optimization. A level set method is adopted as an alternative approach to the popular homogenization based methods. The paper focuses on four areas of discussion: (1) The level-set model of the structure’s shape is characterized as a region and global representation; the shape boundary is embedded in a higher-dimensional scalar function as its “iso-surface.” Changes of the shape and topology are governed by a partial differential equation (PDE). (2) The velocity vector of the Hamilton-Jacobi PDE is shown to be naturally related to the shape derivative from the classical shape… More >

R. Sedaghati, A. Suleman¹, S. Dost, B. Tabarrok²

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.2, No.2, pp. 259-272, 2001, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2001.002.259

Abstract A structural analysis and optimization method is developed to find the optimal topology of adaptive determinate truss structures under various impact loading conditions. The objective function is based on the maximization of the structural strength subject to geometric constraints. The dynamic structural analysis is based on the integrated finite element force method and the optimization procedure is based on the Sequential Quadratic Programming (SQP) method. The equilibrium matrix is generated automatically through the finite element analysis and the compatibility matrix is obtained directly using the displacement-deformation relations and the Single Value Decomposition (SVD) technique. By combining the equilibrium and the… More >

C.M. Müller-Karger¹, C.González², M.H.Aliabadi³, M.Cerrolaza⁴

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.2, No.1, pp. 1-14, 2001, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2001.002.001

Abstract In this paper, a three-dimensional Boundary Element model of the proximal tibia of the human knee is described and stresses and displacements in the tibial plateau under static loading are computed. The geometry is generated via three-dimensional reconstruction of Computerized Tomographies and Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Various models of different lengths from the tibia plateau are calculated. The BEM results are compared with a Finite Element model having the same geometry and tibia FE models available in the literature. Also reported are investigations of some pathological situations, including fractures. The results of the comparisons show that BEM is an efficient and… More >

J.T. Katsikadelis¹, M.S. Nerantzaki¹

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.1, No.3, pp. 1-9, 2000, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2000.001.303

Abstract A boundary-only method is presented for the solution of the vibration problem of non-homogeneous membranes. Both free and forced vibrations are considered. The presented method is based on the Analog Equation Method (AEM). According to this method the second order partial differential equation with variable coefficients of hyperbolic type, which governs the dynamic response of the membrane, is substituted by a Poisson's equation describing a quasi-static problem for the homogeneous membrane subjected to a fictitious time dependent load. The fictitious load is established using BEM. Several numerical examples are presented which illustrate the efficiency and the accuracy of the method. More >