FEA Periodic Boundaries

Theory

Periodic boundary conditions means to run calculations that are periodic in strain in just the x direction, just the y direction, or in both the x and y directions. For axisymmetric problems the calculations can only be periodic in the z direction. Many researchers use symmetry-based displacement conditions for periodic calculations (thinking they are periodic), but that approach cannot handle problems where plane sections do not remain plane even though the structure and strains are periodic. The periodic conditions in NairnFEA are more advanced than simple symmetry conditions and they essential for some problems such as shear strain applied to a periodic composite material.

The figure shows a box of width a and height b. If this structure is an element on a large object and periodic in the x direction, it means the the strains are periodic or that:

      [math]\displaystyle{ \varepsilon_{xx}(x+a,y) = \varepsilon_{xx}(x,y), \qquad \varepsilon_{yy}(x+a,y) = \varepsilon_{yy}(x,y), \qquad {\rm and} \qquad \gamma_{yx}(x+a,y) = \gamma_{xy}(x,y) }[/math]

These conditions are satisfied, in the most general sense, if the x and y displacements (u(x,y) and v(x,y)) have the form:

      [math]\displaystyle{ u(x+a,y) = u(x,a) + k_1 + k_2 y \qquad {\rm and} \qquad v(x+a,y) = v(x,a) + k_2 + k_2 x }[/math]

The dof attribute defines the periodic direction. It must be x (or 1) or y (or 2) or z (or 3). The delta, slope, and shear attributes let you specify an average displacement jump, rotation, and/or shear between the two ends in the periodic direction(s). If any are left unspecified, they will be degrees of freedom. When specified, they correspond to globally applied strains or rotation. The meanings of the parameters are slightly different depending on whether just one direction or both directions are periodic: