CaltechTHESIS
  A Caltech Library Service

Configurational Forces and Variational Mesh Adaption in Solid Dynamics

Citation

Zielonka, Matias Gabriel (2006) Configurational Forces and Variational Mesh Adaption in Solid Dynamics. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/V6RB-FR94. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-05112006-162905

Abstract

This thesis is concerned with the exploration and development of a variational finite element mesh adaption framework for non-linear solid dynamics and its conceptual links with the theory of dynamic configurational forces. The distinctive attribute of this methodology is that the underlying variational principle of the problem under study is used to supply both the discretized fields and the mesh on which the discretization is supported. To this end a mixed-multifield version of Hamilton's principle of stationary action and Lagrange-d'Alembert principle is proposed, a fresh perspective on the theory of dynamic configurational forces is presented, and a unifying variational formulation that generalizes the framework to systems with general dissipative behavior is developed. A mixed finite element formulation with independent spatial interpolations for deformations and velocities and a mixed variational integrator with independent time interpolations for the resulting nodal parameters is constructed. This discretization is supported on a continuously deforming mesh that is not prescribed at the outset but computed as part of the solution. The resulting space-time discretization satisfies exact discrete configurational force balance and exhibits excellent long term global energy stability behavior. The robustness of the mesh adaption framework is assessed and demonstrated with a set of examples and convergence tests.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:adaptive mesh refinement; adaptive meshing; arbitrary eulerian lagrangian methods; configurational forces; continuously deforming finite elements; Hamilton Pontryagin principle; Hamilton's principles; material forces; mesh adaption; mixed finite elements; mixed variational principles; moving finite elements; non-linear solid dynamics; r-adaption; thermomechanical variational principles; variational adaptivity; variational integration; variational integrators
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Engineering and Applied Science
Major Option:Aeronautics
Minor Option:Applied And Computational Mathematics
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Ortiz, Michael
Group:GALCIT
Thesis Committee:
  • Ortiz, Michael (chair)
  • Ravichandran, Guruswami
  • Marsden, Jerrold E.
  • Bhattacharya, Kaushik
  • Lapusta, Nadia
Defense Date:13 April 2006
Record Number:CaltechETD:etd-05112006-162905
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-05112006-162905
DOI:10.7907/V6RB-FR94
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:1724
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Imported from ETD-db
Deposited On:22 May 2006
Last Modified:06 May 2020 22:53

Thesis Files

[img]
Preview
PDF (Full thesis) - Final Version
See Usage Policy.

8MB
[img] Video (AVI) (crack.avi) - Supplemental Material
See Usage Policy.

17MB

Repository Staff Only: item control page