Explicit integration is often used in highly nonlinear finite element structural dynamics simulations. However, explicit time integration is stable only if the used time-step is smaller than a critical threshold, which can be shown to depend on the smallest geometrical dimension of the finite elements in the mesh. This aspect is particularly critical when solid-shell elements are used for the analysis of thin walled structures, since the small thickness can lead to unacceptably small time-steps. A selective mass scaling technique, based on a linear transformation of the element degrees of freedom, is proposed in this paper to increase the size of the critical time-step without affecting the dynamic response. An analytical procedure is also developed for the computation of the element highest eigenfrequency and estimate of the critical time-step size. The computational effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed methodology is tested on the basis of numerical examples. \^{a}–º Explicit dynamics analysis with solid-shell is of interest in many applications. \^{a}–º Excessively small stable time-step due to element small thickness. \^{a}–º Selective mass scaling technique is proposed not affecting low order modes. \^{a}–º Analytical estimate of stable time-step size for scaled elements is provided.

Selective mass scaling and critical time-step estimate for explicit dynamics analyses with solid-shell elements

COCCHETTI, GIUSEPPE;PAGANI, MARA;PEREGO, UMBERTO
2013-01-01

Abstract

Explicit integration is often used in highly nonlinear finite element structural dynamics simulations. However, explicit time integration is stable only if the used time-step is smaller than a critical threshold, which can be shown to depend on the smallest geometrical dimension of the finite elements in the mesh. This aspect is particularly critical when solid-shell elements are used for the analysis of thin walled structures, since the small thickness can lead to unacceptably small time-steps. A selective mass scaling technique, based on a linear transformation of the element degrees of freedom, is proposed in this paper to increase the size of the critical time-step without affecting the dynamic response. An analytical procedure is also developed for the computation of the element highest eigenfrequency and estimate of the critical time-step size. The computational effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed methodology is tested on the basis of numerical examples. \^{a}–º Explicit dynamics analysis with solid-shell is of interest in many applications. \^{a}–º Excessively small stable time-step due to element small thickness. \^{a}–º Selective mass scaling technique is proposed not affecting low order modes. \^{a}–º Analytical estimate of stable time-step size for scaled elements is provided.
2013
explicit\_dynamics; mass\_scaling; solid\_shell
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11311/783916
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