Laboratory of Computational Solid Mechanics

Head of Laboratory: Dr. Radek Kolman

The Laboratory of Computational Solid Mechanics is engaged in analysis of nonlinear static and dynamic problems in the framework of finite element method in the fields of contact and impact of deformable bodies accompanied by geometric and material nonlinearities. Furthermore the wave propagation in heterogeneous and anisotropic environments by analytical and numerical methods and the evaluation and comparison of FEM models with experimental results are also fields of interest. In addition to this considerable effort is expended on the study of defects in crystalline materials experimentally and using the molecular dynamic method and on the electronic structure and total energy calculations of non-periodic systems using the finite element method or pseudopotential.

Research projects

FEM software PMD (Package for Machine Design)

PMD is a modern, platform-independent package of computer programs based on the Finite Element Method (FEM). The package is designed for general engineering problems in the continuum mechanics of solids. It is a proprietary code with a long, 35-year tradition, and is currently maintained by the staff of the Laboratory of Computational Solid Mechanics. The package also features its own GUI pre- and post-processor. More information about PMD can be found here.

Researchers: J. Plešek, J. Novotný, J. Dobiáš, S. Pták, D. Gabriel, P. Pařík, R. Kolman, Z. Hrubý, J. Kopačka, V. Sháněl, R. Marek

Collaboration: VAMET Ltd.

 

Finite element modelling of linear, non-linear and multiscale effects in wave propagation in solids and heterogenous media

Finite element modelling of wave propagation in solids and heterogenous media is proposed. The objective of the project lies in the improvement of current finite element models of transient dynamics problems related to wave propagation phenomena. The research concerns with comprehensive dispersion analysis of quadratic eight-node elements with the serendipity type shape functions, including accuracy, stability and optimization of different lumped matrices with variable mass distribution for such types of elements. In particular, the special attention is focused on the wave propagation in strongly heterogeneous media, homogenization techniques, high-velocity impact and sound waves in prestressed material.

Researchers: D. Gabriel, J. Plešek, R. Kolman, J. Červ, F. Valeš, J. Dobiáš

Collaboration: Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of West Bohemia in Pilsen

Related papers:

[1] J. Plešek, R. Kolman, D. Gabriel: Studies in numerical stability and critical time step estimation by wave dispersion analysis versus eigenvalue computation. COMPDYN 2011, eds. M. Papadrakakis et al., CD-ROM 1-12, ECCOMAS 2011, 2011.
[2] D. Gabriel, J. Plešek, R. Kolman, F. Valeš: Dispersion of elastic waves in the contact-impact problem of a long cylinder. Journal of Computational and Applied Mathematics, vol. 234, pp. 1930-1936, 2010.
[3] J. Plešek, R. Kolman, D. Gabriel: Dispersion error of finite element discretizations in elastodynamics, Computational Technology Reviews, eds. B.H.V. Topping, J.M. Adam, F.J. Pallarés, R. Bru, M.L. Romero, pp. 251-279, Saxe-Coburg Publications, 2010.
[4] D. Gabriel, J. Plešek, R. Kolman, F. Valeš, M. Ulbin: Two benchmark problems for testing accuracy and stability of finite element solution to wave propagation. COMPDYN 2009, eds. M. Papadrakakis et al., pp. 428, CD-ROM 1-11, ECCOMAS 2009, 2009.
[5] J. Plešek, R. Kolman, D. Gabriel: Accuracy and Stability of Finite Quadratic Serendipity Elements in Dynamic Wave Propagation Problems. COMPDYN 2009, eds. M. Papadrakakis et al., pp. 89, CD-ROM 1-9, ECCOMAS 2009, 2009.
[6] R. Kolman, J. Plešek, D. Gabriel, M. Okrouhlík: Optimization of lumping schemes for plane square quadratic finite element in elastodynamics. Applied and Computational Mechanics, vol. 1, pp. 105-114, 2007.


 

Numerical solution of contact-impact problems in nonlinear finite element analysis

The project aims at the improvement of current computational modelling of contact-impact problems in the finite element method. The main objective lies in the development of original three dimensional algorithm based on the pre-discretization penalty method employing adequate numerical methods. As a part, new contact searching technique for the local search problems is proposed. The algorithm is implemented to the explicit solver of the FE code PMD (Package for Machine Design) for the solution of complex engineering problems.

Researchers: D. Gabriel, J. Plešek, J. Kopačka, P. Pařík, R. Kolman, V. Sháněl, Z. Hrubý

Collaboration: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, Slovenia

Related papers:

[1] D. Gabriel, J. Kopačka, J. Plešek, M. Ulbin: Searching for local contact constraints by the quasi-Newton methods in the finite element procedures for contact-impact problems. COMPDYN 2011, eds. M. Papadrakakis et al., CD-ROM 1-12, ECCOMAS 2011, 2011.
[2] J. Kopačka, D. Gabriel, J. Plešek: Local contact search by unconstrained optimization methods in the FE procedures for contact-impact problems. 4nd GACM Colloquium on Computational Mechanics, German Association for Computational Mechanics, 2011.
[3] D. Gabriel, J. Kopačka, J. Plešek, M. Ulbin: Assessment of methods for calculating the normal contact vector in local search. 4th European Conference on Computational Mechanics (ECCM 2010), Computational Structural Mechanics Association, CD-ROM, 2010.
[4] D. Gabriel, J. Plešek, M. Ulbin: Symmetry preserving algorithm for large displacement frictionless contact by the pre-discretization penalty method. Int. J. Num. Met. Engng., vol. 61, pp. 2615-2638, 2004.


 

Solution to very complex contact problems with other non-linearities by modern mathematical methods

Success of new algorithms, suitable for efficient use on high-performance computers, substantially depends on properties of the mathematical methods they stem from. The objective of this project is development and application of such algorithms appropriate for solution to multiple non-linear problems of solid mechanics, while contact between solid deformable bodies, large displacements, finite rotations and material models with energy dissipation are considered as non-linear effects. Our approach is based on the FETI domain decomposition method and its variants. The numerical analysis of this method revealed that it is suitable for application to high-performance computers because it exhibits both parallel and numerical scalability. Contribution to theory of the FETI method, practically exploitable computer code implemented into the finite element package PMD and corresponding publications will be the outcome of the project.

Researchers: J. Dobiáš, S. Pták, D. Gabriel

Collaboration: VŠB - Technical University of Ostrava

Related papers:

[1] J. Dobiáš, S. Pták, Z. Dostál, V. Vondrák: Total FETI based algorithm for contact problems with additional non-linearities. Advances in Engineering Software, vol. 41, pp. 46-51, 2010.
[2] J. Dobiáš, S. Pták, Z. Dostál, V. Vondrák, T. Kozubek: A non-linear dynamic based algorithm parallel domain decomposition based algorithm. Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Civil, Structural and Enviromental Engineering Computing, pp. 1-14, Civil Comp Press, 2009.
[3] J. Dobiáš, S. Pták, Z. Dostál, V. Vondrák, T. Kozubek: Nonlinear scalable domain decomposition based contact algorithm. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 1-10, 2010.

 

New approaches to investigation of fatigue crack propagation in modes II, III and II+III

A general knowledge about stability and growth conditions of fatigue cracks loaded under modes II, III and II+III is rather poor when compared to the mode I loading case. The project aims to apply new approaches to investigation of shear-mode cracks in order to better understand the crack-growth micromechanisms. Our part of the project is focused on an extended modelling of damage processes at the crack front via 3D molecular dynamics simulations. This technique enables us to obtain a multi-slip picture of dislocations in order to improve the classical dislocation models.

Researchers: A. Machová, A. Uhnáková, P. Hora, V. Pelikán, O. Červená

Collaboration: Prof. J. Pokluda, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Brno University of Technology

Related papers:

[1] A. Uhnáková, A. Machová, P. Hora: 3D atomistic simulation of fatigue behavior of a ductile crack in bcc iron. International Journal of Fatigue, no. 33, pp. 1182-1188, 2011. (IF = 1.799)
[2] A. Uhnáková, J. Pokluda, A. Machová, P. Hora: 3D atomistic simulation of fatigue behaviour of cracked single crystal of bcc iron loaded in mode III. International Journal of Fatigue, no. 33, pp. 1564-1573, 2011. (IF = 1.799)
[3] A. Uhnáková, J. Pokluda, A. Machová, P. Hora: 3D atomistic simulation of fatigue behaviour of a ductile crack in bcc iron loaded in mode II. Computational Materials Science, no. 61, pp. 12-19, 2012.

 

Numerical solution to steady-state and transient wave dispersion in mechanical systems on different scales

The aim of the project is to obtain new information on 3D acoustic emission sources coming from crack extension, twining, dislocation emission and crack front waves in 3D crystals of bcc iron and of other metals loaded in mode I by means of simulations on the atomistic level.

Researchers: J. Plešek, A. Machová, A. Uhnáková, P. Hora, V. Pelikán, O. Červená

Related papers:

[1] A. Spielmannová, A. Machová, P. Hora: Crack-induced stress, dislocations and acoustic emission by 3-D atomistic simulations in bcc iron. Acta Materialia, no. 57, pp. 4065-4073, 2009. (IF = 3.760)
[2] A. Spielmannová, A. Machová, P. Hora: Transonic twins in 3D bcc iron crystal. Computational Materials Science, no. 48, pp. 296-302, 2010. (IF = 1.458)
[3] A. Uhnáková, A. Machová, P. Hora, J. Červ, T. Kroupa: Stress wave radiation from the cleavage crack extension in 3D bcc iron crystals. Computational Materials Science, no. 50, pp. 678-685, 2010. (IF = 1.458)

 

Dispersion analysis of the finite element method

The spatial discretization of elastic continuum by Finite Element Method (FEM) introduces dispersion errors to numerical solutions of stress wave propagation. When these propagating phenomena are modeled by FEM the speed of a single harmonic wave depends on its frequency and thus a wave packet is distorted. Moreover, the oscillations near the sharp wavefront in FE solution (called Gibb’s effect) appears. For higher order Lagrangian finite elements (FEs) there are the optical modes in the spectrum resulting in spurious oscillations of stress and velocity distributions near the theoretical sharp wavefront. The main focus of dispersion analysis is devoted to higher order finite elements (mainly 20-node serendipity isoparametric finite element) and different modifications of shape functions (spectral FEM variant, hierarchical shape functions, splines, etc.). On the basis of dispersion analysis, the appropriate mesh size guarantees allowable dispersion errors and the accuracy of the numerical solution of dynamic response could be set.

Researchers: R. Kolman, J. Plešek, M. Okrouhlík, D. Gabriel

Related papers:

[1] J. Plešek, R. Kolman, D. Gabriel: Dispersion Error of Finite Element Discretizations in Elastodynamics. Computational Technology Reviews, eds. B.H.V. Topping, J.M. Adam, F.J. Pallarés, R.Bru, M.L. Romero., vol. 1, pp. 251-279, 2010.
[2] J. Plešek, R. Kolman, D. Gabriel: Grid dispersion analysis of a plane square biquadratic serendipity finite element in transient elastodynamics. Int. J. Numer. Meth. Engrg., in preparation.

 

Isogeometric analysis in elastodynamics and stress wave propagation problems

A modern approach in computational mechanics is the IsoGeometric Analysis (IGA). This numerical method employs shape functions based on different types of splines (B-splines, NURBS, T-splines and many others). The fields of unknown quantities are consequently described the same way as the geometry of the studied domain. In addition, this approach provides a higher degree of continuity than that offered by the classical finite element (FE) method based on Lagrangian polynomials. Isogeometric analysis aims to integrate FE ideas in CAD systems without necessity to regenerate mesh. The main focus of IGA research is its use for the numerical solution of the elastodynamics problems (free and forced vibration, propagating of elastic waves).

Researchers: R. Kolman, J. Plešek

Related papers:

[1] R. Kolman, J. Plešek, M. Okrouhlík, D. Gabriel: Dispersion Errors of B-spline based Finite Element Method in one-dimensional Elastic Wave Propagation. 3rd ECCOMAS Thematic Conference on Computational Methods in Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering COMPDYN 2011, eds. M. Papadrakakis, M. Fragiadakis, V. Plevris, Corfu, 2011.
[2] R. Kolman, J. Kopačka, J. Plešek, M. Okrouhlík, D. Gabriel: Dispersion analysis of B-spline based finite element method for one-dimensional elastic wave propagation. Proceedings of NSCM-23: the 23rd Nordic Seminar on Computational Mechanics, eds. A. Eriksson, G. Tibert, pp. 255-258, 2010.


 

Numerical solution methods for very large FEM problems

The project is focused on the development and application of numerical methods for the direct solution of large systems of linear equations, which are obtained by the finite element method (FEM) in continuum mechanics. A linear equation system is at the base of every FEM problem, therefore, it is necessary to be able to solve it as fast and efficient as possible. This is important especially in the nonlinear analysis, where the stiffness matrix has to be factorized repetitively. Large problems are usually problems whose requirements on the storage space and computational time make it difficult to obtain the solution using common computers. The work includes software implementation in PMD.

Researchers: P. Pařík, J. Plešek

Related papers:

[1] P. Pařík: An out-of-core sparse direct solver for very large finite element problems. Dissertation thesis. CTU Reports, vol. 15, no. 1, 2011.
[2] P. Pařík, J. Plešek: Assessments of the implementation of the minimum degree ordering algorithms. Pollack Periodica, Int. J. Eng. and Inf. Sci., vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 121-128, 2009.

 

Directional distortional hardening

The goal of the project is the calibration and the numerical implementation of models involving so-called directional distortion hardening. The directional distortional hardening refers to the formation of a region of high curvature (sharpening) on the yield surface approximately in the direction of loading, and a region of low curvature (flattening) approximately in the opposite direction. It was experimentally observed that plastic deformations might cause the plastic anisotropy of materials that were isotropic initially.

Researchers: J. Plešek, Z. Hrubý, R. Marek

Related papers:

[1] J. Plešek, H.P. Feigenbaum, Y.F. Dafalias: Convexity of yield surfaces with directional distortional hardening. ASCE J. Eng. Mech., vol. 136, no. 4, pp. 477-484, 2010.
[2] H.P. Feigenbaum, J. Plešek, Y.F. Dafalias: A Simple Model for Directional Distortional Hardening in Metal Plasticity with a Convex Yield Surface. 16th US National Congress of Theoretical Applied Mechanics, State College, PA, July 2010.

 

Mass lumping methods for the semiloof shell element

A particular attention is focused on the mass matrix diagonalization of the semiloof shell element. Its diagonalization requires a specially designed universal diagonalization scheme that is derived from the scaling HRZ method. Another analyzed aspect is the problem of preserving the moment of inertia for various types of finite elements. The proposed scheme is implemented in the finite element program PMD and consequently tested on several problems.

Researchers: V. Sháněl, R. Kolman, J. Plešek

Related papers:

[1] V. Sháněl: On the Mass Lumping in the Finite Element Method. Master thesis, Czech Technical University in Prague, 2011.
[2] V. Sháněl, R. Kolman, J. Plešek: Mass Lumping Methods for the SemiLoof Shell Element. Computers & Structures, in preparation.

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