1,720,967 research outputs found
Design, development, and theoretical and experimental tests of a nonlinear energy harvester via piezoelectric arrays and motion limiters
No full textThis paper presents the design, development and test of a nonlinear piezoelectric energy harvesting array with wideband performance under directly and parametrically excited conditions; theoretical verifications of equation-type as well as finite-element-methods are also provided. The array, as the core element, consists of four cantilever beams with attached piezoelectric layers and individual tip masses; two pairs of motion limiters were designed to limit the cantilever motions. By introducing 1-pair motion limiters, a strong hardening frequency response extended the system resonance regime and generated an enhanced bandwidth; when the monotonically increased system response triggered engagement with 2-pair motion limiters, the operational bandwidth was even further extended and formed a fully merged resonance regime for energy harvesting purposes. With motion limiters, the directly excited device achieved a continuous operational frequency bandwidth from 5.7 Hz to 12.3 Hz, which is a frequency bandwidth increase of 240%; by introducing the nonlinear frequency response in parametric resonance to the proposed device, the operational frequency bandwidth is increased by 579%. The corresponding piezoelectric voltage output of the proposed device is compared with conventional no limiter and one limiter counterparts. Theoretical investigations using an equation for the motion of the system along with a time-integration solution, as well as a finite element method using ANSYS, have been carried out to verify the results, showing good agreement. The results reveal that the proposed device has potential for dealing with different excitation levels and low frequency applications while broadening the frequency bandwidth
A review on the nonlinear dynamics of hyperelastic structures
No full textThis paper presents a critical review of the nonlinear dynamics of hyperelastic structures. Hyperelastic structures often undergo large strains when subjected to external time-dependent forces. Hyperelasticity requires specific constitutive laws to describe the mechanical properties of different materials, which are characterised by a nonlinear relationship between stress and strain. Due to recent recognition of the high potential of hyperelastic structures in soft robots and other applications, and the capability of hyperelasticity to model soft biological tissues, the number of studies on hyperelastic structures and materials has grown significantly. Thus, a comprehensive explanation of hyperelastic constitutive laws is presented, and different techniques of continuum mechanics, which are suitable to model these materials, are discussed in this literature review. Furthermore, the sensitivity of each hyperelastic strain energy density function to coefficient variation is shown for some well-known hyperelastic models. Alongside this, the application of hyperelasticity to model the nonlinear dynamics of polymeric structures (e.g., beams, plates, shells, membranes and balloons) is discussed in detail with the assistance of previous studies in this field. The advantages and disadvantages of hyperelastic models are discussed in detail. This present review can stimulate the development of more accurate and reliable models
Porosity, mass and geometric imperfection sensitivity in coupled vibration characteristics of CNT-strengthened beams with different boundary conditions
No full textStructures face different types of imperfections and defects during the fabrication process, installation and working environment. In this paper, the imperfection effects in the coupled vibration behaviour of axially functionally graded carbon nanotube (CNT)-strengthened beam structures with different boundary conditions are analysed considering porosity as well as geometric and mass imperfections in the structure. Porosity is modelled using different types of formulations for simple-cell, open-cell and closed-cell porous structures. The porosity is assumed to be either uniform or by varying through the thickness of the hollow beam using different functions. Mass imperfection effect is added to the system by considering a concentrated mass in the system affecting the mass homogeneity of the structure. Geometry imperfection is also considered by having an initial deformation in the structure which could be caused by an improper fabrication process. Coupled axial and transverse equations of motion are obtained using Hamilton’s principle and the von Kármán geometrical nonlinearity. Governing equations are solved for different types of boundary conditions using a semi-analytical modal decomposition technique. It is shown that strengthening the base matrix with CNT fibres can improve the vibration behaviour of imperfect structures and the influence of CNT volume fraction and distribution through the length of the beam is discussed. The results provided in this paper may be used as a benchmark to validate future experimental results to prevent imperfection, delamination and stress singularities in the structures
Large amplitude vibrations of imperfect porous-hyperelastic beams via a modified strain energy
No full textIn this paper, the porous-hyperelastic properties of soft materials are obtained experimentally and a general model for a combination of porosity (of functional type) and hyperelasticity using the Mooney-Rivlin strain energy density is obtained. Porous-hyperelastic samples are fabricated using thermoplastics with different porosities by varying the infill rate of 3D-printing. Following the available standards, the stress-strain behaviour for different samples are obtained and a general model for hyperelastic closed-cell porosity is presented. After obtaining model's characteristics from the experimental testings, a general beam formulation is presented for hyperelastic beams with functional porosity through the length. Both the axial and transverse motions are considered in the model of hyperelastic beams in the framework of the Mooney-Rivlin material model and Hamilton's principle. A geometrical imperfection of the beam is also considered in the formulation. The nonlinear forced vibrations of the imperfect porous-hyperelastic beam are studied by simultaneously solving the axial and transverse nonlinear coupled equations using a dynamic equilibrium technique. It is shown that having a uniform and functional porosity has a significant effect in changing the nonlinear frequency response of the system. Geometrical imperfection leads to a significant coupling between the axial and transverse coordinates when the porosity varies functionally through the length which shows the importance of considering both motions while analysing such structures. The results are useful for better understanding the effects of imperfections in studying the mechanics of soft structures and can be useful in designing soft robotics and artificial organs
Effects of geometric nonlinearities on the coupled dynamics of CNT strengthened composite beams with porosity, mass and geometric imperfections
No full textThis study investigates the effects of geometric nonlinearities on the dynamical behaviour of carbon nanotube (CNT) strengthened imperfect composite beams by considering both axial and transverse motions. For the given general model of the beam, the system modelling has been adopted from the literature and the nonlinear dynamic response in presence of an external harmonic load is examined for the first time in the case of axially functionally graded (AFG) CNT fibre, which is used for strengthening the structure. Porosity imperfection with the ability to vary though the thickness is modelled using simple, closed and open-cell models; the porosity variation is formulated using uniform, linear, symmetric and un-symmetric models. The geometrical imperfection is considered by allowing the beam to have an initial curved longitudinal axis and the mass imperfection is modelled by introducing a concentrated mass at a certain point of the beam. Using a combination of the Galerkin scheme together with dynamic equilibrium technique, the influence of different imperfections and porosities on the frequency response of the system is examined. It is shown that, for the case of AFG CNT strengthened beam, geometrical imperfection can change the nonlinear response from a hardening to a softening behaviour. Besides, the importance of considering the interaction between axial and transverse motion is examined in detail. The influence of lumped mass imperfection and its position is also studied showing that this type of imperfection can change the nonlinear behaviour of the system significantly. Moreover, the influence of increasing the CNT volume fraction and functionally spreading the CNTs through the length is discussed. The results are useful for analysing the resonance phenomena in strengthened structures facing various imperfections. Graphic abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.
A review on the statics and dynamics of electrically actuated nano and micro structures
No full textNano and micro electro-mechanical systems (NEMS and MEMS) have been attracting a large amount of attention recently as they have extensive current/potential applications. However, due to their scale, molecular interaction and size effects are considerably high which needs to be considered in the theoretical modelling of their electro-mechanical behaviour. Both nano- and micro-scale electrically actuated structures are discussed when subjected to constant and time-varying voltages, and different theories and models, introduced in the past few years for modelling such small structures, are discussed. It is highlighted that considering the intermolecular forces and size-dependence effects can change both the static and dynamic behaviours of such systems significantly. This review presents the current stage of the research on electrically actuated NEMS/MEMS by analysing the latest models and studies in this field in the framework of electro-mechanical coupling and small-size effects
Thermal Effects on Nonlinear Vibrations of an Axially Moving Beam with an Intermediate Spring-Mass Support
Full text linkThe thermo-mechanical nonlinear vibrations and stability of a hinged-hinged axially moving beam, additionally supported by a nonlinear spring-mass support are examined via two numerical techniques. The system is subjected to a transverse harmonic excitation force as well as a thermal loading. Hamilton's principle is employed to derive the equations of motion; it is discretized into a multi-degree-freedom system by means of the Galerkin method. The steady state resonant response of the system for both cases with and without an internal resonance between the first two modes is examined via the pseudo-arclength continuation technique. In the second method, direct time integration is employed to construct bifurcation diagrams of Poincaré maps of the system
Coupled dynamics of axially functionally graded graphene nanoplatelets-reinforced viscoelastic shear deformable beams with material and geometric imperfections
No full textThis paper is the first to explore the coupled dynamics of geometrically and material-wise imperfect axially functionally graded (AFG) graphene nanoplatelets-reinforced viscoelastic third-order shear deformable beams. Four AFG graphene nanoplatelets distribution patterns are considered. Porosity, as the material imperfection, is modelled using a Gaussian Random Field model. Four thickness-wise functionally graded porosity distribution patterns are modelled. Effects of geometric imperfection are included by assigning an initial curvature to the beam. To consider the influences associated with energy dissipation caused by internal friction, the Kelvin-Voigt model for viscosity is used. External dissipative energy is modelled using a transverse damper. The effective material properties of the AFG beams are calculated using a modified Halpin-Tsai micromechanics model, together with a rule of mixture. Coupled axial, transverse, and rotational motion equations are obtained by employing a Hamiltonian approach and third-order shear deformation. The natural frequencies are obtained using a modal decomposition method. A simplified version of the graphene nanoplatelets-reinforced AFG structure is verified by a computer code-based finite element method. This novel study on the effects of geometrical imperfection on the sensitivity of beams towards porosity imperfections demonstrates the significance of scrutinising the effects of one imperfection on another
Free vibration analysis of functionally graded carbon nanotubes reinforced double plates
Full text linkThe specific objective of this study is to analyze the dynamics of functionally graded carbon nanotubes (FGCNT) reinforced double plates. Connected via an elastic layer, the plates have simply supported boundary conditions. In the current study, three carbon nanotubes functionally graded patterns, varying in the thickness direction are considered, including uniformly distributed, functionally graded O-pattern, and functionally graded X-pattern. Following the development of the coupled equations of motion using the Hamilton principle while considering the influences of the elastic layer, the equations are subsequently solved utilizing a two-spatial-variable modal decomposition method. For verification purposes, the equations developed are compared to simplified configurations provided in the existing studies. The solution methodology is verified through comparing against numerical results of simplified configurations of plates obtained from the development of the finite element method and existing studies. Both verifications have shown very good agreement. Influences of plates’ dimensions, carbon nanotubes reinforcement, and the stiffness of elastic layer are analyzed and provided in this study. The transverse-motion natural frequencies of the double plates are also identified, and they follow a decreasing trend as the aspect ratio increases for all the cases. The fundamental lateral-motion and axial-motion natural frequency also follows a similar trend as the aspect ratio increases. The reinforcement effect of carbon nanotubes on the transverse-motion natural frequencies is less obvious for thinner plates. An increase in the elastic layer stiffness increases the second series transverse-motion natural frequencies of the double-plate system. Among the considered functionally graded patterns, the functionally graded X-pattern reinforcement provides the largest increase in the transverse-motion natural frequencies
- …
