Kuan-Chen Fu

Analysis of shallow cylindrical shell by boundary element method

The objective of this article is to develop boundary element techniques for static analysis of cylindrical shell problems. The boundary integral equations are formulated by using the Maxwell-Betti reciprocal theorem. On the basis of the singular solutions for shallow cylindrical shells in complex variables proposed by Sanders and Simmonds, the displacements and tractions of the shell under various concentrated loadings are derived as the kernels in the boundary integrals near the singular points.

Optimization of axially loaded non-prismatic column

Abstract A column design problem has been formulated into an optimization problem. The modern optimization technique, generalized reduced gradient method, has been used to select the design variables at nodal points. The optimum designs so obtained are reasonable and verifiable. This procedure may be used in the design of axially loaded members for mass production. Considerable savings can be achieved due to the effective use of material through the best proportioning of the shape of the column.

Discrete frame optimization by complex-simplex procedure

Abstract By using plastic collapse theory, the design of structural frame is formulated as an optimization problem of linear objective function subject to linear contraints. Discrete variable is used throughout the problem to represent the usage of commercially available sections. A new method called Complex-Simplex procedure is proposed to solve this type of problem. This procedure uses the complex method to seek the optimum and the simplex method to evaluate the feasibility. When these two efficient techniques are combined for the first time, an effective optimization procedure is born. Published frame problems are used as examples to demonstrate the validity of the computational procedure. The advantages and limitations of the new method are also discussed.

Computer science education for an overlooked group - high school teachers

Since the advent of the electronic computer, revolutionary changes have been made in modern society. As a natural consequence, modernization of the curricula has been called for in our educational system, which includes the grade schools, high schools, and colleges. In the last decade, mathematics courses in the grade schools have been completely overhauled by the introduction of the basic concepts of set theory, group theory and the Boolean algebra. Thus, a good mathematics foundation has been laid for the students for their future computer application. On the other hand, courses which contain computer oriented methods and theories have also been instituted in the college curricula of many academic disciplines such as engineering, medicine, mathematics, economics, business, science, management, etc. However, the initiation of an introductory computer course in the high schools is surprisingly sparse.

A Boundary Element Technique on the Solution of Cylindrical Shell Bending Problems

The object of this paper is to investigate the possibility of utilizing fundamental solutions in series form along with the plate singularity to implement the boundary element technique in non-shallow cylindrical shell problems with arbitrary loads. The boundary integral equations are set up by direct formulation and the series kernels of boundary integrals are derived from the more exact set of differential equations, namely, Morley-Koiter equations.