JOURNALS

Documents published in Scipedia

• Applying multi-objective robust design optimization procedure to the route planning of a commercial aircraft

  J. Pons Prats, G. Bugeda, F. Zarate, E. Oñate, J. Periaux

  (2018). Computational Methods and Models for Transport. Computational Methods in Applied Sciences. Diez, P. Neittaanmäki, P., Periaux, J., Tuovinen, T., Bräysy, O. (Eds.), Vol. 45, pp. 147-167, Springer, Cham

  
  

  Abstract

  Aircraft emission targets worldwide and their climatic effects have put pressure in government agencies, aircraft manufacturers and airlines to reduce water vapour, carbon dioxide (CO2CO2) and oxides of nitrogen (NOxNOx) resulting from aircraft emissions. The difficulty of reducing emissions including water vapor, carbon dioxide (CO2CO2) and oxides of nitrogen (NOxNOx) is mainly due to the fact that a commercial aircraft is usually designed for a particular optimal cruise altitude but may be requested or required to operate and deviate at different altitudes and speeds to archive a desired or commanded flight plan, resulting in increased emissions. This is a multi- disciplinary problem with multiple trade-offs such as optimizing engine efficiency, minimizing fuel burnt and emissions while maintaining prescribed aircraft trajectories, altitude profiles and air safety. There are possible attempts to solve such problems by designing new wing/aircraft shape, new efficient engine, ATM technology, or modifying the aircraft flight plan. Based on the rough data provided by an air carrier company, who was willing to assess the methodology, this paper will present the coupling of an advanced optimization technique with mathematical models and algorithms for aircraft emission, and fuel burnt reduction through flight plan optimization. Two different approaches are presented; the first one describes a deterministic optimization of the flight plan and altitude profile in order to reduce the fuel consumption while reducing time and distance. The second approach presents the robust design optimization of the previous case considering uncertainties on several parameters. Numerical results will show that the methods are able to capture a set of useful trade-offs solutions between aircraft range and fuel consumption, as well as fuel consumption and flight time.

  Abstract
  Aircraft emission targets worldwide and their climatic effects have put pressure in government agencies, aircraft manufacturers and airlines to reduce water vapour, carbon [...]

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• Advances in the DEM and coupled DEM and FEM techniques in non linear solid mechanics

  E. Oñate, F. Zárate, M. Celigueta, J. González, J. Canet, J. Carbonell, F. Garcia, S. Latorre, M. Santasusana

  (2018). (Preprint) Advances in Computational Plasticity. Computational Methods in Applied Sciences. Oñate, E., Peric, D., de Souza Neto, E., Chiumenti, M., (Eds.), Vol. 46, pp. 309-335, Springer

  
  

  Abstract

  In this chapter we present recent advances on the Discrete Element Method (DEM) and on the coupling of the DEM with the Finite Element Method (FEM) for solving a variety of problems in non linear solid mechanics involving damage, plasticity and multifracture situations.

  Abstract
  In this chapter we present recent advances on the Discrete Element Method (DEM) and on the coupling of the DEM with the Finite Element Method (FEM) for solving a variety of [...]

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• A framework for developing finite element codes for multi- disciplinary applications

  P. Dadvand, E. Oñate

  Monograph CIMNE (2008). M109

  
  

  Abstract

  The world of computing simulation has experienced great progresses in recent years and requires more exigent multidisciplinary challenges to satisfy the new upcoming demands. Increasing the importance of solving multi-disciplinary problems makes developers put more attention to these problems and deal with difficulties involved in developing software in this area. Conventional finite element codes have several difficulties in dealing with multi-disciplinary problems. Many of these codes are designed and implemented for solving a certain type of problems, generally involving a single field. Extending these codes to deal with another field of analysis usually consists of several problems and large amounts of modifications and implementations. Some typical difficulties are: predefined set of degrees of freedom per node, data structure with fixed set of defined variables, global list of variables for all entities, domain based interfaces, IO restriction in reading new data and writing new results and algorithm definition inside the code. A common approach is to connect different solvers via a master program which implements the interaction algorithms and also transfers data from one solver to another. This approach has been used successfully in practice but results duplicated implementation and redundant overhead of data storing and transferring which may be significant depending to the solvers data structure. The objective of this work is to design and implement a framework for building multi-disciplinary finite element programs. Generality, reusability, extendibility, good performance and memory efficiency are considered to be the main points in design and implementation of this framework. Preparing the structure for team development is another objective because usually a team of experts in different fields are involved in the development of multi-disciplinary code. Kratos, the framework created in this work, provides several tools for easy implementation of finite element applications and also provides a common platform for natural interaction of its applications in different ways. This is done not only by a number of innovations but also by collecting and reusing several existing works. In this work an innovative variable base interface is designed and implemented which is used at different levels of abstraction and showed to be very clear and extendible. Another innovation is a very efficient and flexible data structure which can be used to store any type of data in a type-safe manner. An extendible IO is also created to overcome another bottleneck in dealing with multi-disciplinary problems. Collecting different concepts of existing works and adapting them to coupled problems is considered to be another innovation in this work. Examples are using an interpreter, different data organizations and variable number of dofs per node. The kernel and application approach is used to reduce the possible conflicts arising between developers of different fields and layers are designed to reflect the working space of different developers also considering their programming knowledge. Finally several technical details are applied in order to increase the performance and efficiency of Kratos which makes it practically usable. This work is completed by demonstrating the framework’s functionality in practice. First some classical single field applications like thermal, fluid and structural applications are implemented and used as benchmark to prove its performance. These applications are used to solve coupled problems in order to demonstrate the natural interaction facility provided by the framework. Finally some less classical coupled finite element algorithms are implemented to show its high flexibility and extendibility.

  Abstract
  The world of computing simulation has experienced great progresses in recent years and requires more exigent multidisciplinary challenges to satisfy the new upcoming demands. [...]

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• Ship hydrodynamics

  E. Oñate, J. García-Espinosa, S. Idelsohn, B. Servan Camas

  (2018). Encyclopedia of Computational Mechanics Second Edition, E. Stein, R. de Borst and T.J.R. Hughes (Eds.), John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Vol. 6, Chapter 24, pp. 1091 - 1137

  
  

  Abstract

  This chapter presents an overview of some computational methods for the analysis of problems in ship hydrodynamics. Attention is focused on the description of stabilized finite element formulations derived via a finite increment calculus (FIC) procedure. Both arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) and fully Lagrangian forms are presented. Details of the treatment of the free‐surface waves and the interaction between the ship structure and the sea water are given. Potential flow formulations for seakeeping analysis and calculation of the added resistance in waves are also described. Examples of application of the computational methods presented to a variety of ship hydrodynamics and related problems are given.

  Abstract
  This chapter presents an overview of some computational methods for the analysis of problems in ship hydrodynamics. Attention is focused on the description of stabilized finite [...]

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• A Particle Finite Element Method (PFEM) for coupled thermal analysis of quasi and fully incompressible flows and fluid-structure interaction

  E. Oñate, A. Franci, J. Carbonell

  (2014). (preprint) Numerical simulation of coupled problems in engineering. S. R. Idelsohn (Eds.), pp. 129-156, Springer

  
  

  Abstract

  We present a Lagrangian formulation for coupled thermal analysis of quasi and fully incompressible flows and fluid-structure interaction (FSI) problems that has excellent mass preservation features. The success of the formulation lays on a residual-based stabilized expression of the mass balance equation obtained using the Finite Calculus (FIC) method. The governing equations are discretized with the FEM using simplicial elements with equal linear interpolation for the velocities, the pressure and the temperature. The merits of the formulation in terms of reduced mass loss and overall accuracy are verified in the solution of 2D and 3D adiabatic and thermally-coupled quasi-incompressible free-surface flow problems using the Particle Finite Element Method (PFEM). Examples include the sloshing of water in a tank and the falling of a water sphere and a cylinder into a tank containing water.

  Abstract
  We present a Lagrangian formulation for coupled thermal analysis of quasi and fully incompressible flows and fluid-structure interaction (FSI) problems that has excellent [...]

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• Regularized maxwell equations and nodal finite elements for electromagnetic field computations in frequency domain

  R. Otín, E. Oñate

  Monograph CIMNE (2011). M123

  
  

  Abstract

  In this work we present an alternative approach to the usual finite element formulation based on edge elements and double-curl Maxwell equations. This alternative approach is based on nodal elements and regularized Maxwell equations. The advantages are that, without adding extra unknowns (such as Lagrange multipliers), it provides spurious-free solutions and well-conditioned matrices. Besides, its integral representation involves a less singular kernel (order 1 instead of 3), which makes this approach best suited to hybridization with integral numerical techniques. On the other hand, a new set of difficulties arises that were not present in the classical formulation. The main drawback is that a globally wrong solution is obtained when the electromagnetic field has a singularity in the problem domain. Also, boundary conditions and field discontinuities are more laborious to implement. This work explains how to overcome these difficulties and demonstrates that accurate solutions can be obtained with nodal elements and the regularized formulation. We also present ERMES, the C++ implementation of the finite element approach depicted above and the main deliverable of this work. We compute with ERMES the scattering parameters of microwave filters and the specific absorption rate induced in a body when exposed to electromagnetic fields. ERMES is also the computational tool used in two novel numerical models introduced in this work. The first one characterizes electromagnetic metal forming processes and the second one the transfer impedance of cable shields. The electromagnetic metal forming model calculates the driving Lorentz force and estimates the optimum frequency at which it is attained the maximum workpiece deformation. The main advantage of the approach is that it provides an explicit relation between the capacitance of the capacitor bank and the frequency of the discharge, which is a key parameter in the design of an electromagnetic forming system. The successful application of the regularized formulation in this model reveals its excellent behavior in the low-frequency (quasi-static) regime. The second numerical model introduced in this work computes the transfer impedance of cable shields. The model reproduces the high frequency behavior of the transfer impedance more accurately than the approaches found in the literature and, moreover, it is able to analyze a wider variety of geometries and materials.

  Abstract
  In this work we present an alternative approach to the usual finite element formulation based on edge elements and double-curl Maxwell equations. This alternative approach [...]

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• The Particle Finite Element Method. An effective numerical technique for fluid-soil-structure interaction problems

  E. Oñate, M. Celigueta, S. Idelsohn, F. Salazar, B. Suarez

  (2012). Issues on Mechanical and Civil Engineering. A Symposium to honour Prof. Enrique Alarcón. M. Doblaré, Ja. Domínguez, Jo. Domínguez, A. Fraile, F. García, S. Gómez, A. Martín, F. París (Eds.)

  
  

  Abstract

  We present some developments in the Particle Finite Element Method (PFEM) for analysis of complex coupled problems in mechanics involving fluid-soil-structure interaction (FSSI). The PFEM uses an updated Lagrangian description to model the motion of nodes (particles) in both the fluid and the solid domains (the later including soil/rock and structures). A mesh connects the particles (nodes) defining the discretized domain where the governing equations for each of the constituent materials are solved as in the standard FEM. The stabilization for dealing with an incompressibility continuum is introduced via the finite calculus (FIC) method. An incremental iterative scheme for the solution of the non linear transient coupled FSSI problem is described. The procedure to model frictional contact conditions and material erosion at fluid-solid and solid-solid interfaces is described. We present several examples of application of the PFEM to solve FSSI problems such as the motion of rocks by water streams, the erosion of a river bed adjacent to a bridge foundation, the stability of breakwaters and constructions sea waves and the study of landslides.

  Abstract
  We present some developments in the Particle Finite Element Method (PFEM) for analysis of complex coupled problems in mechanics involving fluid-soil-structure interaction [...]

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• Possibilities of the Particle Finite Element Method in computational mechanics

  E. Oñate, S. Idelsohn, M. Celigueta, R. Rossi, S. Latorre

  (2010). Computer Methods in Mechanics, M. Kuzma, K. Wilmanski (Eds.), Chapter 15, pp. 271-310., Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg

  
  

  Abstract

  We present some developments in the formulation of the Particle Finite Element Method (PFEM) for analysis of complex coupled problems in fluid and solid mechanics accounting for fluid-structure interaction and coupled thermal effects. The PFEM uses an updated Lagrangian description to model the motion of nodes (particles) in both the fluid and the structure domains. Nodes are viewed as material points which can freely move and even separate from the main analysis domain representing, for instance, the effect of water drops. A mesh connects the nodes defining the discretized domain where the governing equations are solved as in the standard FEM. The necessary stabilization for dealing with the incompressibility of the fluid is introduced via the finite calculus (FIC) method. An incremental iterative scheme for the solution of the non linear transient coupled fluid-structure problem is described. Extensions of the PFEM to allow for frictional contact conditions at fluid-solid and solid-solid interfaces via mesh generation are described. A simple algorithm to treat erosion in the fluid bed is presented. Examples of application of the PFEM to solve a number of coupled problems such as the effect of large wave on structures, the large motions of floating and submerged bodies, bed erosion situations and melting and dripping of polymers under the effect of fire are given.

  Abstract
  We present some developments in the formulation of the Particle Finite Element Method (PFEM) for analysis of complex coupled problems in fluid and solid mechanics accounting [...]

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• Posibilidades de los métodos numéricos en obras subterráneas

  E. Oñate, B. Suarez, J. Canet

  (2007). Avances en Mecánica de Medios Continuos. Simposium en honor al Profesor J. A. Garrido García. E. Alarcon, A. Forces, F. París (Eds.), pp. 195-210

  
  

  Abstract

  Se presenta un resumen de las posibilidades de diversos métodos numéricos basados en la combinación de técnicas de elementos finitos y de partículas para la simulación de problemas típicos de obras subterráneas, tales como la excavación de túneles y la inundación de cavidades.

  Abstract
  Se presenta un resumen de las posibilidades de diversos métodos numéricos basados en la combinación de técnicas de elementos finitos y de partículas [...]

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• Finite elements versus finite volumes. Is there really a choice?

  O. Zienkiewicz, E. Oñate

  (1992). Non linear computational mechanics. State of the art. P. Wriggers,R. Wagner and E. Stein (eds.), Chapter IV, Beam, Plate and Shell Formulations, pp. 240-254, Springer Verlag

  
  

  Abstract

  The finite volume method appears to be a particular case of finite elements with a non Galerkin weighting. It is course less accurate for self adjoint problems but has some computationally useful features for first order equations involving only surface integrals. For certain problems this is a substational economy and leads to computationally useful approximations.

  Abstract
  The finite volume method appears to be a particular case of finite elements with a non Galerkin weighting. It is course less accurate for self adjoint problems but has some [...]

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