The finite element method since its development in the 1950’s has been used extensively in solving complex problems involving partial differential equations. The conventional finite element methods use piecewise Lagrange interpolation functions for approximating displacements. The aim of this research is to explore finite element analysis using B-spline interpolation. B-splines are piecewise defined polynomial curves which provide higher continuity of derivatives than piecewise Lagrange interpolation functions. This work focuses on the implementation and comparison of the B-spline finite elements in contrast with the conventional finite elements. This thesis observes that the use of B-spline interpolation functions can reduce the computational cost significantly. It is an efficient technique and can be conveniently implemented into the existing finite element programs.

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Meshfree methods have become strong alternatives to conventional numerical methods used in solid mechanics after significant progress in recent years. Radial point interpolation method (RPIM) is a meshfree method based on Galerkin formulation and constructs shape functions which enable easy imposition of essential boundary conditions. This thesis analyses plane elasticity problems using RPIM. A computer code implementing RPIM for the solution of plane elasticity problems is developed. Selected problems are solved and the effect of shape parameters on the accuracy of RPIM with and without polynomial terms added in the interpolation is studied. The optimal shape parameters are determined for plane elasticity problems.

An elastic FGM layer bonded to a semi-infinite linear elastic, isotropic, homogeneous half plane is considered. The half plane contains periodic cracks perpendicular to the interface. Mechanical loading is applied through crack surface pressure, resulting in a mode I crack problem. The plane elasticity problem described above is formulated by using Fourier transforms and Fourier series. A singular integral equation is obtained for the auxiliary variable, namely derivative of the crack surface displacement. Solution is obtained, and stress intensity factors are calculated for various values of crack period, crack length, crack location, layer thickness and material gradation.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-08T17:19:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Gerson Filippini.pdf: 3306780 bytes, checksum: e9e94632db2e1724ef9cf694d93a5724 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2004-11-26 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The Finite Elements Method (MEF) has been traditionally applied to stress analysis in solid mechanics, whereas the Finite Volume Method (MVF) has its main application in heat transfer and fluid flow analyses. In the last years, use of Finite Elements in fluid dynamics problems has shown a substantial increase due, not only to its well-known facility to handle complex geometries, but to the development of new element stabilization techniques. On the other hand, the development of new models based on unstructured meshes has open new possibilities for application of the Finite Volume method. The present work addresses some aspects associated to the application of the MVF to plane elasticity, in which a discretisation procedure for Cartesian meshes is presented and comparisons between FEM and FVM for test problems are discussed. Emphasis is given to stress computation for Finite Volumes and comparisons to those obtained via recovery techniques for Finite Elements. The discretisation strategy and solution of the linear equation system have been approached under the classical FVM perspective, aiming at integration in existing Finite Volume codes. The analyses have been performed for a doubly-clamped beam with prescribed displacements in both ends, in which special attention is given to the shear stresses. It has been observed that the stresses evaluated using the MVF yields smaller differences when compared to the global smoothing method associated to the FEM. Furthermore, Finite Volumes has shown less susceptibility to poor aspect ratio then Finite Elements using linear shape functions. A qualitative analysis of the compression of a cylindrical billet has also shown no hourglass for Finite Volumes solutions. / O Método de Elementos Finitos (MEF) tem sido Tradicionalmente aplicado a problemas mecânicos de análise de tensões, enquanto o Método de Volumes Finitos (MVF) tem sua aplicação principal em transferência de calor e mecânica dos fluidos. Nos últimos anos, o uso de Elementos Finitos em problemas de dinâmica dos fluidos tem mostrado um aumento substancial. Isso se deve não somente a sua conhecida facilidade de tratar geometrias complexas, mas também ao desenvolvimento de novas técnicas de estabilização de elementos. Por outro lado, o desenvolvimento de novas estratégias baseadas em malhas não estruturadas tem renovado o incentivo na aplicação do método de Volumes Finitos. O presente trabalho discute diversos aspectos relativos à aplicação do MVF a problemas de elasticidade plana com malhas estruturadas e cartesianas, com ênfase nas comparações entre as distribuições de tensões obtidas pelo MVF e aquelas calculadas pelo MEF a partir de diferentes esquemas de suavização. As análises são feitas para uma viga engastada em ambos lados com deslocamentos prescritos nas extremidades visando avaliar principalmente as tensões cisalhantes. Observou-se que o campo de tensões calculado pelo MVF apresenta menor diferença quando comparado com aquele obtido pelo MEF utilizando-se o esquema de suavização global. Ressalta-se que o problema é abordado pelo prisma de Volumes Finitos (discretização das equações de governo e métodos de solução) visando futura implementação em códigos já existentes para problemas de termofluidos, com vistas à aplicação a problemas de interação fluidoestrutura. Fez-se também uma verificação inicial da existência de modos espúrios em um problema compressivo e a influência da variação da razão de aspecto dos elementos sobre os resultados.