Search results for "Finite element method"
showing 10 items of 746 documents
TOPOLOGY OPTIMIZATION OF A CONNECTING ROD FOR AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE
2009
The topology optimization of a structure is a process that allows to establish if in a point of an assigned domain there should be some material. No assumption is made with regard to the number and the distribution of the contours and the final topology, that can be very different compared to that one initially hypothesized. In this paper a study related to the topology optimization of a connecting rod for an internal combustion engine is presented. The used technique for the optimization is the density (or distribution of material) method. The developed application, besides giving an innovative solution of the topology of the connecting rod with a lower mass in comparison with the initial …
On the numerical assessment of the thermo-mechanical performances of the DEMO Helium-Cooled Pebble Bed breeding blanket module
2014
Within the framework of the European DEMO Breeder Blanket Programme, a research campaign has been launched by University of Palermo, ENEA-Brasimone and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology to theoretically investigate the thermo-mechanical behavior of the Helium-Cooled Pebble Bed (HCPB) breeding blanket module of the DEMO1 blanket vertical segment, under normal operation and over-pressurization loading scenarios. The research campaign has been carried out following a theoretical-computational approach based on the finite element method (FEM) and adopting a qualified commercial FEM code. A realistic 3D FEM model of the HCPB blanket module central poloidal-radial region has been developed, inclu…
A Teaching Experience: Aeroelasticity and the Finite Element Method
2015
[EN] The aeroelastic modelling of aircraft structures is a fundamental area for the students of Aerospace Engineering Degree. This subject has a strongly multidisciplinary character and involves other several subjects like mechanics, vibrations, aerodynamics, structural analysis. Consequently, the students find stimulating the challenge of merging their knowledge at different areas. In this paper, a teaching experience on the solution of the aeroelastic problem of a 3D-wing through six different computer tasks is presented. The main objective is to attempt a relatively complex problem using a simple version of the Finite Element Method with only four degrees of freedom. The students begin c…
Analysis of non-uniform torsion in curved incrementally launched bridges
2014
Abstract Incremental launching is a common and convenient methodology to build continuous girder bridges on several piers. Although it has mainly been applied to straight bridges with box sections, today it is also used for construction of horizontally curved bridges with concrete and composite steel–concrete closed or open sections like I-girders. In these cases the contribution of torsion to the stress state becomes of primary importance when the construction stages of these bridges are analysed. Moreover, the presence of thin-walled cross-sections, makes the analysis of non-uniform torsion fundamental when the angle of twist per unit length is not constant or warping is prevented in thos…
Exact 3D solution for static and damped harmonic response of simply supported general laminates
2014
International audience; The state-space method is adapted to obtain three dimensional exact solutions for the static and damped dynamic behaviors of simply supported general laminates. The state-space method is written in a general form that permits to handle both cross-ply and antisymmetric angle-ply laminates. This general form also permits to obtain exact solutions for general laminates, albeit with some constraints. For the general case and for the static behavior, either an additive term is added to the load to simulate simply supported boundary conditions, or the plate bends in a particular way. For the dynamic behavior, the general case leads to pairs of natural frequencies for each …
Optimization of the first wall for the DEMO water cooled lithium lead blanket
2015
The maximum heat load capacity of a DEMO First Wall (FW) of reasonable cost may impact the decision of the implementation of limiters in DEMO. An estimate of the engineering limit of the FW heat load capacity is an essential input for this decision. This paper describes the work performed to optimize the FW of the Water Cooled Lithium-Lead (WCLL) blanket concept for DEMO fusion reactor in order to increase its maximum heat load capacity. The optimization is based on the use of water at typical Pressurised Water Reactors conditions as coolant. The present WCLL FW with a waved plasma-faced surface and with circular channels was studied and the heat load limit has been predicted with FEM analy…
On the FE codes capability for tool temperature calculation in machining processes
2006
Abstract The applications of numerical simulation to machining processes have been more and more growing in the last years: today a quite effective predictive capability has been reached, at least as far as global cutting variables (for instance cutting forces) are concerned. On the other hand, the capability to predict local cutting variables (i.e. pressure on the tool, temperature distribution, residual stresses in the machined surface) has to be heavily improved and verified. At the same time, effective experimental procedures for validating numerical results have to be developed. In this work two different approaches were implemented for temperature measuring: a thermocouple based appro…
Modelling heat transfer-controlled cooling and freezing times: a comparison between computational values and experimental results
2013
Modelling of heat transfer-controlled cooling and freezing time predictions are very important for a good preservation of foodstuffs. In that regard, we used a computer code based on the finite-element method that allowed us to analyse the phase-change of various foodstuffs during their freezing. The model was exercised to predict process times. The results can be used to design high efficiency plants. In this work, the results predicted by the FEM program are compared with the experimental values given in technical literature.
Multi-physical modelling of reverse electrodialysis
2017
Abstract Reverse electrodialysis (RED) is an electrochemical membrane process that directly converts the energy associated with the concentration difference between two salt solutions into electrical energy by means of a selective controlled mixing. The physics of RED involves the interaction of several phenomena of different nature and space-time scales. Therefore, mathematical modelling and numerical simulation tools are crucial for performance prediction. In this work, a multi-physical modelling approach for the simulation of RED units was developed. A periodic portion of a single cell pair was simulated in two dimensions. Fluid dynamics was simulated by the Navier-Stokes and continuity …
Out-of-plane elastic constants of curved cell walls honeycombs
2021
International audience; The work describes the out-of-plane properties of a curved wall honeycomb structure evaluated using analytical models and finite elements techniques. Out-of-plane properties are calculated using a theoretical approach based on energy theorems and validated using a fullscale<br>finite element technique to simulate transverse shear tests. The effects of the curvature of the walls and the depth of the honeycomb cells on the out-of-plane elastic constants are evaluated and excellent agreement is observed between theoretical and numerical models. These curved cell wall honeycombs feature specific (i.e., relative density weighted) highly tailorable upper shear bounds tha…