SUMMARYLinearly conforming point interpolation method (LC-PIM) is formulated for three-dimensional elasticity problems. In this method, shape functions are generated using point interpolation method by adopting polynomial basis functions and local supporting nodes are selected based on the background cells. The shape functions so constructed have the Kronecker delta functions property and it allows straightforward imposition of point essential boundary conditions. Galerkin weak form is used for creating discretized system equations, and a nodal integration scheme with strain-smoothing operation is used to perform the numerical integration. The present LC-PIM can guarantee linear exactness and monotonic convergence for the numerical results. Numerical examples are used to examine the present method in terms of accuracy, convergence, and efficiency. Compared with the finite element method using linear elements, the LC-PIM can achieve better efficiency, and higher accuracy especially for stresses.

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To simulate the contact nonlinearity in 2D solid problems, a contact analysis approach is formulated using incremental form of the subdomain parametric variational principle (SPVP). The formulation is based on a linearly conforming radial point interpolation method (LC-RPIM) using nodal integration technique. Contact interface equations are also presented using a modified Coulomb frictional contact model and discretized by contact point-pairs. In the present approach, the global discretized system equations are transformed into a standard linear complementarity problem (LCP) that can be solved readily using the Lemke method. The present approach can simulate various contact behaviors including bonding/debonding, contacting/departing, and sticking/slipping. An intensive numerical study is performed to validate the proposed method via comparison with the ABAQUS ® and to investigate the effects of the various parameters used in computations. These parameters include normal and tangential adhesions, frictional coefficient, nodal density, the dimension of local nodal support domain, nodal irregularity, shape parameters used in the radial basis function and the external load. The numerical results have demonstrated that the present approach is accurate and stable for contact analysis of 2D solids.

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Self-organized V-N co-doped TiO2 nanotube arrays (TNAs) with various doping amount were synthesized by anodizing in association with hydrothermal treatment. Impacts of V-N co-doping on the morphologies, phase structures, and photoelectrochemical properties of the TNAs films were thoroughly investigated. The co-doped TiO2 photocatalysts show remarkably enhanced photocatalytic activity for the CO2 photoreduction to methane under ultraviolet illumination. The mechanism of the enhanced photocatalytic activity is discussed in detail.