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A computational framework for topology optimisation of flexoelectricity at finite strains considering a multi-field micromorphic approach
,
J. Martínez-Frutos ,
Antonio Gil
Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, Volume: 401, Start page: 115604
Swansea University Author:
Antonio Gil
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DOI (Published version): 10.1016/j.cma.2022.115604
Abstract
This paper presents a novel in-silico framework for the design of flexoelectric energy harvesters at finite strains using topology optimisation. The main ingredients of this work can be summarised as follows: (i) a micromorphic continuum approach is exploited to account for size dependent effects in...
| Published in: | Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering |
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| ISSN: | 0045-7825 1879-2138 |
| Published: |
Elsevier BV
2022
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| Online Access: |
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa60887 |
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| Abstract: |
This paper presents a novel in-silico framework for the design of flexoelectric energy harvesters at finite strains using topology optimisation. The main ingredients of this work can be summarised as follows: (i) a micromorphic continuum approach is exploited to account for size dependent effects in the context of finite strains, thus permitting the modelling and simulation of flexoelectric effects in highly deformable materias such as dielectric elastomers. A key feature of the multi-field (mixed) formulation pursued is its flexibility as it permits, upon suitable selection of material parameters, to degenerate into other families of high order gradient theories such as flexoelectric gradientelasticity. (ii) A novel energy interpolation scheme is put forward, whereby different interpolation strategies are proposed for the various contributions that the free energy density function is decomposed into. This has enabled to circumvent numerical artifacts associated with fictitious high flexoelectric effects observed in the vicinity of low and intermediate density regions, where extremely high strain gradients tend to develop. (iii) A weighted combination of efficiency-based measures and aggregation functions of the stress is proposed to remedy the shortcomings ofstate-of-the-art efficiency-based functionals, which promotes the development of hinges with unpractical highly localised large strain gradients. Finally, a series of numerical examples are analysed, studying the development of direct flexoelectricity induced by bending, compression and torsional deformations. |
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| Keywords: |
Flexoelectricity; Topology Optimisation; Dielectric Elastomer; Micromorphic Elasticity; EnergyHarvesters; Mixed Finite Elements |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Funders: |
21132/SF/19, Fundación Séneca, Región de Murcia (Spain), through the program Saavedra Fajardo, Fundación Séneca (Murcia, Spain) through grant 20911/PI/18, PID2021-125687OA-I00, European Training Network Protection (Project ID: 764636). |
| Start Page: |
115604 |