ES 240

These notes are written to supplement ES 240 Solid Mechanics.

Also see notes on linear algebra.

Although this is a class in solid mechanics, I chose a project which focuses on fluid dynamics. I did this because I think this project will be very educational with respect to the Finite Element Analysis and mechanics in general.

For my semester project, I will investigate equilibrium geometries of ripples in an elastic sheet. In order to do so, I will need to learn how to study out of plane bending of a thin membrane with ABAQUS. The project can be divided into the following stages:

1. Set up the membrane geometry model in ABAQUS

2. Apply relevant boundary conditions and tractions

3. Set up the job

4. Run the job, and post-process

Please see the attached file for details.

[img_assist|nid=4271|title=Finished Bashring|desc=|link=popup|align=right|width=100|height=75][img_assist|nid=4272|title=Unfinished Bashring Mounted on Crank|desc=|link=popup|align=right|width=100|height=75]

Project Description:

The biology of the inversion process in Volvox carteri is examined, and a coupled mechanical and kinetic model is proposed.  See attached proposal for details. The presentation given is also attached here, as well as the final paper.  Also, a movie of the simulation that made all of the work wroth while, the inversion of a half-sphere, is attached here as well.  Note: The file inversion2bw.doc is a movie, just download it and change the extension to .avi.  This has to be done since iMechanica doesn't allow attachment of .avi files directly.

Computer assignment #2 : natural frequency problem

due on Monday (Nov. 17, 2008)