JOURNALS

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• An implicit unsteady hydraulic solver for suspended cuttings transport in managed pressure wells

  R. Flores, R. Ortega, A. Ilin, D. Simpkins, E. Oñate

  Computational Particle Mechanics (2019). Vol. 6 (2), pp 163–175

  
  

  Abstract

  We present a simulation tool for transient events in complex hydraulic networks. The code includes modelling of the transport of suspended cuttings in near-vertical wells. An unstructured finite volume formulation with implicit time integration has been chosen. The unconditional stability of the integrator makes the method suitable for the simulation of transient events over a wide range of characteristic timescales. It handles both very fast transients (e.g. fluid hammer events) and the long-term evolution of the well (e.g. hole cleaning operations). The software has been developed to address the need of the oil industry for a robust and efficient predictive tool allowing effective well control in managed pressure drilling operations. The physical modelling follows the standard practices accepted by the industry (e.g. mud rheology computations). The mathematical foundation of the algorithm is described followed by validation cases that illustrate its capabilities and accuracy. Finally, a practical industrial application example is provided to demonstrate the real-world performance of the software.

  Abstract
  We present a simulation tool for transient events in complex hydraulic networks. The code includes modelling of the transport of suspended cuttings in near-vertical wells. [...]

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• Effect of the integration scheme on the rotation of non-spherical particles with the discrete element method

  J. Irazábal González, F. Salazar, M. Santasusana, E. Oñate

  Computational Particle Mechanics (2019). Vol. 6 (4), pp 545–559

  
  

  Abstract

  The discrete element method (DEM) is an emerging tool for the calculation of the behaviour of bulk materials. One of the key features of this method is the explicit integration of the motion equations. Explicit methods are rapid, at the cost of a limited time step to achieve numerical stability. First- or second-order integration schemes based on a Taylor series are frequently used in this framework and shown to be accurate for the translational and rotational motion of spherical particles. However, they may lead to relevant inaccuracies when non-spherical particles are used since the orientation implies a modification in the second-order inertia tensor in the inertial reference frame. Specific integration schemes for non-spherical particles have been proposed in the literature, such as the fourth-order Runge–Kutta scheme presented by Munjiza et al. and the predictor–corrector scheme developed by Zhao and van Wachem which applies the direct multiplication algorithm for integrating the orientation. In this work, both methods are adapted to be used together with a velocity Verlet scheme for the translational integration. The performance of the resulting schemes, as well as that of the direct integration method, is assessed, both in benchmark tests with analytical solution and in real-scale problems. The results suggest that the fourth-order Runge–Kutta and the Zhao and van Wachem schemes are clearly more accurate than the direct integration method without increasing the computational time.

  Abstract
  The discrete element method (DEM) is an emerging tool for the calculation of the behaviour of bulk materials. One of the key features of this method is the explicit integration [...]

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• A unified Lagrangian formulation for solid and fluid dynamics and its possibility for modelling submarine landslides and their consequences

  X. Zhang, E. Oñate, S. Galindo, J. Bleyer, K. Krabbenhoft

  Comput. Methods Appl. Mech. Engrg., (2019). Vol. 343, pp. 314-338

  
  

  Abstract

  Consequences of submarine landslides include both their direct impact on offshore infrastructure, such as subsea electric cables and gas/oil pipelines, and their indirect impact via the generated tsunami. The simulation of submarine landslides and their consequences has been a long-standing challenge majorly due to the strong coupling among sliding sediments, seawater and infrastructure as well as the induced extreme material deformation during the complete process. In this paper, we propose a unified finite element formulation for solid and fluid dynamics based on a generalised Hellinger–Reissner variational principle so that the coupling of fluid and solid can be achieved naturally in a monolithic fashion. In order to tackle extreme deformation problems, the resulting formulation is implemented within the framework of the particle finite element method. The correctness and robustness of the proposed unified formulation for single-phase problems (e.g. fluid dynamics problems involving Newtonian/Non-Newtonian flows and solid dynamics problems) as well as for multi-phase problems (e.g. two-phase flows) are verified against benchmarks. Comparisons are carried out against numerical and analytical solutions or experimental data that are available in the literature. Last but not least, the possibility of the proposed approach for modelling submarine landslides and their consequences is demonstrated via a numerical experiment of an underwater slope stability problem. It is shown that the failure and post-failure processes of the underwater slope can be predicted in a single simulation with its direct threat to a nearby pipeline and indirect threat by generating tsunami being estimated as well.

  Abstract
  Consequences of submarine landslides include both their direct impact on offshore infrastructure, such as subsea electric cables and gas/oil pipelines, [...]

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• Modeling polycrystalline materials with elongated grains

  I. Pérez, M. Farias, M. Castro, R. Roselló, C. Morfa, L. Medina, E. Oñate

  Int J Numer Methods Eng. (2019). Vol. 118 (3), pp. 121-131

  
  

  Abstract

  A novel algorithm to reproduce the arrangement of grains in polycrystalline materials was recently published by the authors. In this original approach, a dense package of circles (or spheres) with the same distribution as the grains is generated to produce a set of Voronoi cells that are later modified to Laguerre cells representing the original structure. This algorithm was successfully applied to materials with somewhat equidimensional grains; however, it fails for long‐shaped grains. In this paper, modifications are provided in order to overcome these drawbacks. This is accomplished by moving each vertex of the Voronoi cells in such a way that the vertex should be equidistant from the particles with respect to the Euclidean distance. The algorithm is applied to packages of ellipses and spherocylinders in 2D. An example for a package of spheres is also provided to illustrate the application for a simple 3D case. The adherence between the generated packages and the corresponding tessellations is verified by means of the Jaccard coefficient (J). Several packages are generated randomly and the distribution of J coefficients is investigated. The obtained values satisfy the theoretical restraints and the quality of the proposed algorithm is statistically validated.

  Abstract
  A novel algorithm to reproduce the arrangement of grains in polycrystalline materials was recently published by the authors. In this original approach, a dense package of [...]

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• Advances in particle packing algorithms for generating the medium in the Discrete Element Method

  C. Recarey, I. Pérez, R. Roselló, M. Muniz, E. Hernández, R. Giraldo, E. Oñate

  Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering (2019). Vol. 345, pp. 336-362

  
  

  Abstract

  Several theoretical contributions in order to establish a particle packing methodology are presented. In this respect, a generic formulation of a new method for packing particles based on a constructive advancing front method, which uses Monte Carlo techniques for the generation of particle dimensions, is also shown. The method can be used to obtain virtual dense packings of particles with several geometrical shapes. It employs continuous, discrete and empirical statistical distributions in order to generate the dimensions of particles. The packing algorithm is very flexible and allows alternatives for: 1- The direction of the advancing front (inwards or outwards), 2- The selection of the local advancing front, 3- The method for placing a mobile particle in contact with others and 4- The overlap checks. The algorithm also allows obtaining highly porous media when it is slightly modified. Practical applications of the formulations are presented in the end of this paper.

  Abstract
  Several theoretical contributions in order to establish a particle packing methodology are presented. In this respect, a generic formulation of a new method for packing [...]

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• Optimizing rock cutting through computer simulation

  J. Rojek, E. Oñate, C. Labra, H. Kargl, J. Akerman

  (2010). Technology Innovation in Underground Construction (TUNCONSTRUCT), G. Beer (Ed.)

  
  

  Abstract

  This paper presents an original thermomechanical model of rock cutting with evaluation of tool wear. The model has been developed within the framework of the discrete element method, which is a suitable numerical method to study problems of multiple material fractures likes those of rock cutting. The paper presents brief overview of the theoretical formulation, calibration of the discrete element model, and a number of numerical results obtained in simulation of rock cutting processes typical for underground excavation, using both roadheaders and TBMs.

  Abstract
  This paper presents an original thermomechanical model of rock cutting with evaluation of tool wear. The model has been developed within the framework of the discrete element [...]

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• LES Turbulence models. Relation with stabilized numerical methods

  A. Valls, J. García-Espinosa, E. Oñate

  (2007). Models, Experiments and Computation in Turbulence, R. Castilla, E. Oñate, J. M. Redondo (Eds.), pp. 17-64

  
  

  Abstract

  One of the aims of this text is to show some important results in LES modelling and to identify which are main mathematical problems for the development of a complete theory. A relevant aspect of LES theory, which we will consider in our work, is the close relationship between the mathematical properties of LES models and the numerical methods used for their implementation. In last years it is more and more common the idea in the scientific community, especially in the numerical community, that turbulence models and stabilization techniques play a very similar role. Methodologies used to simulate turbulent flows, RANS or LES approaches, are based on the same concept: unability to simulate a turbulent flow using a finite discretization in time and space. Turbulence models introduce additional information (impossible to be captured by the approximation technique used in the simulation) to obtain physically coherent solutions. On the other side, numerical methods used for the integration of partial differential equations (PDE) need to be modified in order to able to reproduce solutions that present very high localized gradients. These modifications, known as stabilization techniques, make possible to capture these sharp and localized changes of the solution. According with previous paragraphs, the following natural question appears: Is it possible to reinterpret stabilization methods as turbulence models? This question suggests a possible principle of duality between turbulence modelling and numerical stabilization. More than to share certain properties, actually, it is suggested that the numerical stabilization can be understood as turbulence. The opposite will occur if turbulence models are only necessary due to discretization limitations instead of a need for reproducing the physical behaviour of the flow. Finally: can turbulence models be understood as a component of a general stabilization method?

  Abstract
  One of the aims of this text is to show some important results in LES modelling and to identify which are main mathematical problems for the development of a complete theory. [...]

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• Métodos de cálculo y simulación en CAD. Diseño y simulación por computador

  E. Oñate

  (1986). Sistemas CAD, CAM, CAE : diseño y fabricación por computador, Boixareu Eds., Barcelona

  
  

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• Efectos de los terremotos en las construcciones

  E. Oñate, J. Canet

  (1986). Riesgos Naturales en Ingeniería, E. Alonso et al (Eds.), Ediciones UPC

  
  

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• A total lagrangian formulation for the geometrically non-linear analysis of shells

  J. Oliver, E. Oñate

  (1984). Flexible Shells, E.L. Axelrad, F.A. Emmerlind (Eds.), Berlín

  
  

  Abstract

  The analysis of structures subjected to large displacements by means of the finite element method has attracted the attention of many researchers in recent years and different publications have been reported in the literature [1-8] In this work the authors suggest an alternative finite element formulation for the analysis of shells process of the structure is defined via a total Lagrangian approach. Stresses and strain over the shell surface are defined using a local set of Cartesian axes based on the principal curvature directions of the shell middle surface. This allows to obtain useful explicit expressions of the finite element matrices in a simple manner. Additionally, normal to the midsurface before deformation are assumed to remain straight but not necessarily to the midsurface after deformation, thus allowing for shear deformation effects. Finally, it is worth pointing out that no restrictions are made on the magnitude of the curvatures. This is of special interest for the analysis of non-shallow shells using a small number of elements. The formulation uses two dimensional finite elements for the analysis of 3-D shells. The discretization over the shell thickness is eliminates using what is usually known as “degenerated element technique” [2,4]. This allows for a substantial reduction in the number of variables and eliminates the possibility of ill-conditions of the element matrices which takes place when using 3-D elements and the thickness of the shell is small. In the first part of this work the formulation for 3-D shells is presented. Then a series of examples of shells undergoing large displacements are presented.    

  Abstract
  The analysis of structures subjected to large displacements by means of the finite element method has attracted the attention of many researchers in recent years and different [...]

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