Showing papers by "Alberto Milazzo published in 2013"

Slotted blades savonius wind turbine analysis by CFD

Abstract: In this paper a new bucket configuration for a Savonius wind generator is proposed. Numerical analyses are performed to estimate the performances of the proposed configuration by means of the commercial code COMSOL Multiphysics® with respect to Savonius wind turbine with overlap only. Parametric analyses are performed, for a fixed overlap ratio, by varying the slot position; the results show that for slot positioned near the blade root, the Savonius rotor improves performances at low tip speed ratio, evidencing a better starting torque. This circumstance is confirmed by static analyses performed on the slotted blades in order to investigate the starting characteristic of the proposed Savonius wind generator configuration.

Nonlocal model for a magneto-electro-elastic nanoplate

Abstract: A mathematical model based on nonlocal third-order shear deformation plate theory has been developed to evaluate the mechanical and electromagnetic behavior of magneto-electro-elastic nanoplates. Two types of magneto-electro-elastic composites have been considered, all of them combination of Barium Titanate sheets, that represents the piezoelectric phase, and Cobalt Ferrite, that is the piezomagnetic component. Setting magneto-electric boundary conditions on each laminate, it has been possible to extrapolate and to analyze free vibrations frequencies for all considered plates, allowing to do objective assessments on what factors influence laminate modes and, especially, how these vary in the passage from normal to nanometric dimensions.

Numerical analysis of piezoelectric active repair in the presence of frictional contact conditions

Abstract: The increasing development of smart materials, such as piezoelectric and shape memory alloys, has opened new opportunities for improving repair techniques. Particularly, active repairs, based on the converse piezoelectric effect, can increase the life of a structure by reducing the crack opening. A deep characterization of the electromechanical behavior of delaminated composite structures, actively repaired by piezoelectric patches, can be achieved by considering the adhesive layer between the host structure and the repair and by taking into account the frictional contact between the crack surfaces. In this paper, Boundary Element (BE) analyses performed on delaminated composite structures repaired by active piezoelectric patches are presented. A two-dimensional boundary integral formulation for piezoelectric solids based on the multi-domain technique to model the composite host damaged structures and the bonded piezoelectric patches is employed. An interface spring model is also implemented to take into account the finite stiffness of the bonding layers and to model the frictional contact between the delamination surfaces, by means of an iterative procedure. The effect of the adhesive between the plies of piezoelectric bimorph devices on the electromechanical response is first pointed out for both sensing and actuating behavior. Then, the effect of the frictional contact condition on the fracture mechanics behavior of actively repaired delaminated composite structures is investigated.

BEM Analysis of a Piezoelectric Structural Health Monitoring System for Delamination Detection

Abstract: In the present work a piezoelectric based structural health monitoring (SHM) system is analyzed with the aim of assessing the ability of the piezoelectric patch to detect both edge and embedded delaminations proper of flange-skin composite laminated structures. The boundary element model is developed for piezoelectric solids and is implemented by taking advantage of the multidomain technique to model laminated and cracked configurations. A non-linear spring model interface is then implemented in conjunction with an iterative procedure allowing for the simulation of the finite stiffness of the bonding layers as well as of the non-penetration condition of the delamination surfaces. The dynamic behavior of the damaged structures and of the bonded piezoelectric patch is modeled by means of the dual reciprocity approach. To fully characterize the structure response the fracture mechanics behavior is studied in terms of energy release rate G and mode-mix phase angle Y. Finally, a damage index based on the electrical current output of the SHM system is introduced as an effective identification parameter of the flange-skin delamination occurrence.

Dual Boundary Element Method for fatigue crack growth: implementation of the Richard’s criterion

Abstract: A new criterion for fatigue crack growth, whose accuracy was previously tested in the literature with the Finite Element Method, is here adopted with a Dual Boundary Element formulation. The fatigue crack growth of an elliptical inclined crack, embedded in a three dimensional cylindrical bar, is analyzed. In this way in addition to the propagation angle estimated by the Sih’s criterion, it is possible to take into account a twist propagation angle. The two propagation criteria are compared in terms of shape of the propagated crack and in terms of SIFs along the crack front. The efficiency of the Dual Boundary Element Method in this study is highlighted.