Search Results
Analysis and simulation of multifrequency induction hardening
We study a model for induction hardening of steel. The related differential system consists of a time domain vector potential formulation of the Maxwells equations coupled with an internal energy balance and an ODE for the volume fraction of austenite, the high temperature phase in steel. We first solve the initial boundary value problem associated by means of a Schauder fixed point argument coupled with suitable a-priori estimates and regularity results. Moreover, we prove a stability estimate entailing, in particular, uniqueness of solutions for our Cauchy problem. We conclude with some finite element simulations for the coupled system.
A time domain sampling method for inverse acoustic scattering problems
This work concerns the inverse scattering problems of imaging unknown/inaccessible scatterers by transient acoustic near-field measurements. Based on the analysis of the migration method, we propose efficient and effective sampling schemes for imaging small and extended scatterers from knowledge of time-dependent scattered data due to incident impulsive point sources. Though the inverse scattering problems are known to be nonlinear and ill-posed, the proposed imaging algorithms are totally direct involving only integral calculations on the measurement surface. Theoretical justifications are presented and numerical experiments are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of our methods. In particular, the proposed static imaging functionals enhance the performance of the total focusing method (TFM) and the dynamic imaging functionals show analogous behavior to the time reversal inversion but without solving time-dependent wave equations.
Two-scale topology optimization with heterogeneous mesostructures based on a local volume constraint
A new approach to produce optimal porous mesostructures and at the same time optimizing the macro structure subject to a compliance cost functional is presented. It is based on a phase-field formulation of topology optimization and uses a local volume constraint (LVC). The main novelty is that the radius of the LVC may depend both on space and a local stress measure. This allows for creating optimal topologies with heterogeneous mesostructures enforcing any desired spatial grading and accommodating stress concentrations by stress dependent pore size. The resulting optimal control problem is analysed mathematically, numerical results show its versatility in creating optimal macroscopic designs with tailored mesostructures.
Topology optimization subject to additive manufacturing constraints
In Topology Optimization the goal is to find the ideal material distribution in a domain subject to external forces. The structure is optimal if it has the highest possible stiffness. A volume constraint ensures filigree structures, which are regulated via a Ginzburg-Landau term. During 3D Printing overhangs lead to instabilities, which have only been tackled unsatisfactorily. The novel idea is to incorporate an Additive Manufacturing Constraint into the phase field method. A rigorous analysis proves the existence of a solution and leads to first order necessary optimality conditions. With an Allen-Cahn interface propagation the optimization problem is solved iteratively. At a low computational cost the Additive Manufacturing Constraint brings about support structures, which can be fine tuned according to engineering demands. Stability during 3D Printing is assured, which solves a common Additive Manufacturing problem.
On the existence of generalized solutions to a spatio-temporal predator-prey system
In this paper we consider a pair of coupled non-linear partial differential equations describing the interaction of a predator-prey pair. We introduce a concept of generalized solutions and show the existence of such solutions in all space dimension with the aid of a regularizing term, that is motivated by overcrowding phenomena. Additionally, we prove the weak-strong uniqueness of these generalized solutions and the existence of strong solutions at least locally-in-time for space dimension two and three.
Chance constraints in PDE constrained optimization
Chance constraints represent a popular tool for finding decisions that enforce a robust satisfaction of random inequality systems in terms of probability. They are widely used in optimization problems subject to uncertain parameters as they arise in many engineering applications. Most structural results of chance constraints (e.g., closedness, convexity, Lipschitz continuity, differentiability etc.) have been formulated in a finite-dimensional setting. The aim of this paper is to generalize some of these well-known semi-continuity and convexity properties to a setting of control problems subject to (uniform) state chance constraints.
Structural multiscale topology optimization with stress constraint for additive manufacturing
In this paper a phase-field approach for structural topology optimization for a 3D-printing process which includes stress constraint and potentially multiple materials or multiscales is analyzed. First order necessary optimality conditions are rigorously derived and a numerical algorithm which implements the method is presented. A sensitivity study with respect to some parameters is conducted for a two-dimensional cantilever beam problem. Finally, a possible workflow to obtain a 3D-printed object from the numerical solutions is described and the final structure is printed using a fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printer.
A revisited Johnson-Mehl-Avrami-Kolmogorov model and the evolution of grain-size distributions in steel
The classical Johnson-Mehl-Avrami-Kolmogorov approach for nucleation and growth models of diffusive phase transitions is revisited and applied to model the growth of ferrite in multiphase steels. For the prediction of mechanical properties of such steels, a deeper knowledge of the grain structure is essential. To this end, a Fokker-Planck evolution law for the volume distribution of ferrite grains is developed and shown to exhibit a log-normally distributed solution. Numerical parameter studies are given and confirm expected properties qualitatively. As a preparation for future work on parameter identification, a strategy is presented for the comparison of volume distributions with area distributions experimentally gained from polished micrograph sections.
Modelling and simulation of flame cutting for steel plates with solid phases and melting
The goal of this work is to describe in detail a quasi-stationary state model which can be used to deeply understand the distribution of the heat in a steel plate and the changes in the solid phases of the steel and into liquid phase during the flame cutting process. We use a 3D-model similar to previous works from Thiebaud [1] and expand it to consider phases changes, in particular, austenite formation and melting of material. Experimental data is used to validate the model and study its capabilities. Parameters defining the shape of the volumetric heat source and the power density are calibrated to achieve good agreement with temperature measurements. Similarities and differences with other models from literature are discussed.
Additive manufacturing graded-material design based on phase-field and topology optimization
In the present work we introduce a novel graded-material design for additive manufacturing based on phase-field and topology optimization. The main novelty of this work comes from the introduction of an additional phase-field variable in the classical single-material phase-field topology optimization algorithm. This new variable is used to grade the material properties in a continuous fashion. Two different numerical examples are discussed, in both of them we perform sensitivity studies to asses the effects of different model parameters onto the resulting structure. From the presented results we can observe that the proposed algorithm adds additional freedom in the design, exploiting the higher flexibility coming from additive manufacturing technology.