A coupled analysis method for structures with independently modelled finite element subdomains

Abstract

SUMMARYA new method for analysing plate and shell structures with two or more independently modelled finite element subdomains is presented, assessed, and demonstrated. This method provides a means of coupling local and global finite element models whose nodes d o not coincide along their common interface. In general, the method provides a means of coupling structural components (e.g., wing and fuselage) which may have been modelled by different analysts. In both cases, the need for transition modelling, which is often tedious and complicated, is eliminated. The coupling is accomplished through an interface for which three formulations are considered and presented. These formulations are: collocation, discrete least-squares, and hybrid variational. Several benchmark problems are analysed and it is shown that the hybrid variational formulation provides the most accurate solutions.

Finite element formulations for exterior problems: application to hybrid methods, non-reflecting boundary conditions, and infinite elements

“…We close this section by noting that we employed our procedure, starting with the mixed variational form (14), to derive a known formulation for which stability in the BabuÄ ska-Brezzi sense is not an issue.…”

A coupling of multi‐zone curved Galerkin BEM with finite elements for independently modelled sub‐domains with non‐matching nodes in elasticity

“…However, that type of modelling is not used in the present paper. Here, the problem is solved by changing FEM subdomain to equivalent BEM subdomain [42,44]. This approach is not fully symmetric, but it has block symmetry.…”

“…This is a different coupling matrix obtained for the non-matching nodes as compared to the matching node formulation. At this point, the coupling can continue by changing boundary element matrix to the equivalent finite element matrix [44]. The problem then reduces to coupling several independently modelled subdomains [45].…”

Salinas : theory manual.

“…Although methods for joining dissimilar meshes are well-known in structural mechanics, 61,[66][67][68] very few papers exist in the area of dissimilar structural acoustic meshes. Mandel 69 considered parallel domain decomposition techniques for structural acoustics in the frequency domain, on mismatched fluid/solid meshes.…”