No description available.

Eccentric discharge of granular solids is widely considered one of the most serious design conditions for thin-walled metal silos, and one which has been the cause of very many silo disasters in the past. Yet the reasons for these consequences have not been very well understood, given the serious difficulties inherent in measuring or modelling flow patterns of granular solids, wall pressures and the associated structural response. To this end, this thesis presents a programme of theoretical and computational analyses which investigate the effects of a very wide range of different discharge flow patterns from silos, including both concentric and eccentric flows. The critical effects of changes of flow channel geometry, silo aspect ratio, changes of plate thickness and geometric and material nonlinearity are explored in detail. The codified procedures and pressure distributions for concentric and eccentric discharge of the EN 1991-4 (2007) European Standard are analysed first on a number of example silos custom-designed according to EN 1993-1-6 (2007) and EN 1993-4-1 (2007), followed by the development and investigation of a more complete mixed flow pressure theory. The computational analyses presented in this thesis are thought to be the first of their kind.

Starting with tensor calculus and the variational form of the Hamiltonian functional, a generalized theory is formulated for doubly curved thin shells. The formulation avoids geometric approximations commonly adopted in other formulations. The theory is then specialized for cylindrical and toroidal shells as special cases, both of interest in the modeling of straight and elbow segments of pipeline systems. Since the treatment avoids geometric approximations, the cylindrical shell theory is believed to be more accurate than others reported in the literature. By adopting a set of consistent geometric approximations, the present theory is shown to revert to the well known Flugge shell theory. Another set of consistent geometric approximations is shown to lead to the Donnell-Mushtari-Vlasov (DMV) theory. A general closed form solution of the theory is developed for cylinders under general harmonic loads. The solution is then used to formulate a family of exact shape functions which are subsequently used to formulate a super-convergent finite element. The formulation efficiently and accurately captures ovalization, warping, radial expansion, and other shell behavioural modes under general static or harmonic forces either in-phase or out-of-phase. Comparisons with shell solutions available in Abaqus demonstrate the validity of the formulation and the accuracy of its predictions. The generalized thin shell theory is then specialized for toroidal shells. Consistent sets of approximations lead to three simplified theories for toroidal shells. The first set of approximations has lead to a theory comparable to that of Sanders while the second set of approximation has lead to a theory nearly identical to the DMV theory for toroidal shells. A closed form solution is then obtained for the governing equation. Exact shape functions are then developed and subsequently used to formulate a finite element. Comparisons with Abaqus solutions show the validity of the formulation for short elbow segments under a variety of loading conditions. Because of their efficiency, the finite elements developed are particularly suited for the analysis of long pipeline systems.

Starting with tensor calculus and the variational form of the Hamiltonian functional, a generalized theory is formulated for doubly curved thin shells. The formulation avoids geometric approximations commonly adopted in other formulations. The theory is then specialized for cylindrical and toroidal shells as special cases, both of interest in the modeling of straight and elbow segments of pipeline systems. Since the treatment avoids geometric approximations, the cylindrical shell theory is believed to be more accurate than others reported in the literature. By adopting a set of consistent geometric approximations, the present theory is shown to revert to the well known Flugge shell theory. Another set of consistent geometric approximations is shown to lead to the Donnell-Mushtari-Vlasov (DMV) theory. A general closed form solution of the theory is developed for cylinders under general harmonic loads. The solution is then used to formulate a family of exact shape functions which are subsequently used to formulate a super-convergent finite element. The formulation efficiently and accurately captures ovalization, warping, radial expansion, and other shell behavioural modes under general static or harmonic forces either in-phase or out-of-phase. Comparisons with shell solutions available in Abaqus demonstrate the validity of the formulation and the accuracy of its predictions. The generalized thin shell theory is then specialized for toroidal shells. Consistent sets of approximations lead to three simplified theories for toroidal shells. The first set of approximations has lead to a theory comparable to that of Sanders while the second set of approximation has lead to a theory nearly identical to the DMV theory for toroidal shells. A closed form solution is then obtained for the governing equation. Exact shape functions are then developed and subsequently used to formulate a finite element. Comparisons with Abaqus solutions show the validity of the formulation for short elbow segments under a variety of loading conditions. Because of their efficiency, the finite elements developed are particularly suited for the analysis of long pipeline systems.

Starting with tensor calculus and the variational form of the Hamiltonian functional, a generalized theory is formulated for doubly curved thin shells. The formulation avoids geometric approximations commonly adopted in other formulations. The theory is then specialized for cylindrical and toroidal shells as special cases, both of interest in the modeling of straight and elbow segments of pipeline systems. Since the treatment avoids geometric approximations, the cylindrical shell theory is believed to be more accurate than others reported in the literature. By adopting a set of consistent geometric approximations, the present theory is shown to revert to the well known Flugge shell theory. Another set of consistent geometric approximations is shown to lead to the Donnell-Mushtari-Vlasov (DMV) theory. A general closed form solution of the theory is developed for cylinders under general harmonic loads. The solution is then used to formulate a family of exact shape functions which are subsequently used to formulate a super-convergent finite element. The formulation efficiently and accurately captures ovalization, warping, radial expansion, and other shell behavioural modes under general static or harmonic forces either in-phase or out-of-phase. Comparisons with shell solutions available in Abaqus demonstrate the validity of the formulation and the accuracy of its predictions. The generalized thin shell theory is then specialized for toroidal shells. Consistent sets of approximations lead to three simplified theories for toroidal shells. The first set of approximations has lead to a theory comparable to that of Sanders while the second set of approximation has lead to a theory nearly identical to the DMV theory for toroidal shells. A closed form solution is then obtained for the governing equation. Exact shape functions are then developed and subsequently used to formulate a finite element. Comparisons with Abaqus solutions show the validity of the formulation for short elbow segments under a variety of loading conditions. Because of their efficiency, the finite elements developed are particularly suited for the analysis of long pipeline systems.

Starting with tensor calculus and the variational form of the Hamiltonian functional, a generalized theory is formulated for doubly curved thin shells. The formulation avoids geometric approximations commonly adopted in other formulations. The theory is then specialized for cylindrical and toroidal shells as special cases, both of interest in the modeling of straight and elbow segments of pipeline systems. Since the treatment avoids geometric approximations, the cylindrical shell theory is believed to be more accurate than others reported in the literature. By adopting a set of consistent geometric approximations, the present theory is shown to revert to the well known Flugge shell theory. Another set of consistent geometric approximations is shown to lead to the Donnell-Mushtari-Vlasov (DMV) theory. A general closed form solution of the theory is developed for cylinders under general harmonic loads. The solution is then used to formulate a family of exact shape functions which are subsequently used to formulate a super-convergent finite element. The formulation efficiently and accurately captures ovalization, warping, radial expansion, and other shell behavioural modes under general static or harmonic forces either in-phase or out-of-phase. Comparisons with shell solutions available in Abaqus demonstrate the validity of the formulation and the accuracy of its predictions. The generalized thin shell theory is then specialized for toroidal shells. Consistent sets of approximations lead to three simplified theories for toroidal shells. The first set of approximations has lead to a theory comparable to that of Sanders while the second set of approximation has lead to a theory nearly identical to the DMV theory for toroidal shells. A closed form solution is then obtained for the governing equation. Exact shape functions are then developed and subsequently used to formulate a finite element. Comparisons with Abaqus solutions show the validity of the formulation for short elbow segments under a variety of loading conditions. Because of their efficiency, the finite elements developed are particularly suited for the analysis of long pipeline systems.

The influence of dent imperfections on the elastic stress behavior of cylindrical shells is explored. This problem is of central importance to the prediction of fatigue failure due to dents in petroleum pipelines. Using an approximate technique called the Equivalent Load Method, a semi-analytical model of two-dimensional dent stress behavior is developed. In the three-dimensional situation, decreased dent localization, in particular dent length, and increased dent depth are confirmed to cause dent stress concentration behavior to shift from having a single peak at the dent center to having peaks at the dent periphery. It is demonstrated that the equivalent load method does not predict this shift in stress behavior and cannot be relied upon to analyze relatively small, deep imperfections. The two stress modes of dents are associated with two modes of dent fatigue behavior that have significantly different fatigue lives. A method for distinguishing longer lived Mode P dents from shorter lived Mode C dents based on two measured features of dent geometry is developed and validated. An approach for implementing this analysis in the evaluation of real dents is also suggested.

Afin d’améliorer la qualité des solutions proposées par l’optimisation dans les processus de conception, il est important de se donner des outils permettant à l’optimiseur de parcourir l’espace de conception le plus largement possible. L’objet de cette Thèse est d’analyser différentes méthodes de paramétrage de formes surfaciques d’une automobile en vue de proposer à Renault un processus d’optimisation efficace. Trois méthodes sont analysées dans cette Thèse. Les deux premières sont issues de l’existant, et proposent de mélanger des formes, afin de créer de la diversité. Ainsi, on maximise l’exploration de l’espace de conception, tout en limitant l’effort de paramétrage des CAO. On montre qu’elles ont un fort potentiel, mais impliquent l’utilisation de méthodes d’optimisation difficiles à mettre en œuvre aujourd’hui. La troisième méthode étudiée consiste à exploiter la formulation de Koiter des équations de coques, qui intègre paramètres de forme et mécanique, et de l’utiliser pour faire de l’optimisation de forme sur critères mécaniques. Cette méthode a par ailleurs pour avantage de permettre le calcul des gradients. D’autre part, nous montrons qu’il est possible d’utiliser les points de contrôles de carreaux de Bézier comme paramètres d’optimisation, et ainsi, de limiter au strict nécessaire le nombre de variables du problème d’optimisation, tout en permettant une large exploration de l’espace de conception. Cependant, cette méthode est non-standard dans l’industrie et implique des développements spécifiques, qui ont été réalisés dans le cadre de cette Thèse. Enfin, nous mettons en place dans cette Thèse les éléments d’un processus d’optimisation de forme surfacique. / To improve optimized solutions quality in the design process, it is important to provide the optimizer tools to navigate the design space as much as possible. The purpose of this thesis is to analyze different parametrization methods for automotive surface shapes, in order to offer Renault an efficient optimization process. Three methods are analyzed in this thesis. The first two are closed to the existing ones, and propose to blend shapes to create diversity. Thus, we are able to maximize the exploration of the design space, while minimizing the effort for CAD setting. We show their high potential, but they involve the use of optimization methods difficult to implement today. The third method is designed to exploit the formulation of Koiter shell equations, which integrates mechanical and shape parameters, and to use it to perform shape optimization with respect to different mechanical criteria. This method also has the advantage of allowing the gradients calculation. On the other hand, we show that it is possible to use the Bezier’s control points as optimization parameters, and thus control the minimum number of variables necessary for the optimization problem, while allowing a broad exploration of the design space. However, this method is non-standard in the industry and involves specific developments that have been made in the context of this thesis. Finally, we implement in this thesis essentials elements of an optimization process for surface shapes.

No description available.

The determination of an aircraft's mass properties is critical during its conceptual design phase. Obtaining reliable mass property information early in the design of an aircraft can prevent design mistakes that can be extremely costly further along in the development process. In this thesis, several methods are presented in order to automatically calculate the mass properties of aircraft structural components and fuel stored in tanks. The first method set forth calculates the mass properties of homogenous solids represented by polyhedral surface geometry. A newly developed method for calculating the mass properties of thin shell objects, given the same type of geometric representation, is derived and explained. A methodology for characterizing the mass properties of fuel in tanks has also been developed. While the concepts therein are not completely original, the synthesis of past research from diverse sources has yielded a new comprehensive approach to fuel mass property analysis during conceptual design. All three of these methods apply to polyhedral geometry, which in many cases is used to approximate NURBS (Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline) surface geometry. This type of approximate representation is typically available in design software since this geometric format is conducive to graphically rendering three-dimensional geometry. The accuracy of each method is within 10% of analytical values. The methods are highly precise (only affected by floating point error) and therefore can reliably predict relative differences between models, which is much more important during conceptual design than accuracy. Several relevant and useful applications of the presented methods are explored, including a methodology for creating a CG (Center of Gravity) envelope graph. / Master of Science