Thermomechanical Evaluation of the Performance and Integrity of a HDPE Stub-End Bolted Flange Connection

2019 ◽  
Vol 141 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Barsoum ◽  
Z. Barsoum ◽  
M. D. Islam

In this study, the integrity of a manhole structure made of a 78 in. high density polyethylene (HDPE) stub-end, steel ring, and blind flange, sealed with a compressed nonasbestos fiber (CNAF) gasket is investigated by means of a parametric finite element analysis (FEA). A coupled thermomechanical nonlinear FEA model is built, comprising of a heat transfer and a structural model, which allows modeling the complex thermal and mechanical loads and their interactions present during the operation of the manhole. The temperature-dependent elastic–plastic HDPE material constitutive behavior and the temperature-dependent nonlinear response of the CNAF gasket are accounted for in the model. Factors influencing the performance and integrity of the manhole such as stud-bolt pretorque level (Tb), internal pressure (Pi), and outer temperature (To) are considered. Based on the results, the integrity and performance of the structure are assessed in view of a leakage through the gasket criterion and a yielding of the HDPE stub-end criterion. The FEA results reveal that both Tb, Pi, and To significantly influence the performance (i.e., leakage) of the gasket and the integrity (i.e., yielding) of the HDPE stub-end. At 40 °C, it is possible to find a safe operational window for a range of Tb and Pi values, where no leakage through the gasket or yielding of the stub-end occurs. However, as the temperature is increased this safe operational window decreases considerably, and at 80 °C safe operation cannot be guaranteed where leakage, yielding, or both simultaneously, will lead to loss in performance and integrity of the manhole structure.

Author(s):  
Nicolas A. DeLovato ◽  
Kevin J. Albrecht ◽  
Clifford K. Ho

Abstract A focus in the development of the next generation of concentrating solar power (CSP) plants is the integration of high temperature particle receivers with improved efficiency supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) power cycles. The feasibility of this type of system depends on the design of a particle-to-sCO2 heat exchanger. This work presents a finite element analysis (FEA) model to analyze the thermal performance of a particle-to-sCO2 heat exchanger for potential use in a CSP plant. The heat exchanger design utilizes a moving packed bed of particles in crossflow with sCO2 which flows in a serpentine pattern through banks of microchannel plates. The model contains a thermal analysis to determine the heat exchanger’s performance in transferring thermal energy from the particle bed to the sCO2. Test data from a prototype heat exchanger was used to verify the performance predictions of the model. The verification of the model required a multitude of sensitivity tests to identify where fidelity needed to be added to reach agreement between the experimental and simulated results. For each sensitivity test in the model, the effect on the performance is discussed. The model was shown to be in good agreement on the overall heat transfer coefficient of the heat exchanger with the experimental results for a low temperature set of conditions with a combination of added sensitives. A set of key factors with a major impact on the performance of the heat exchanger are discussed.


Author(s):  
Xun Meng ◽  
Pin Tang ◽  
Dejiang Li ◽  
Yu Xu ◽  
Qiang Fu

Abstract The 7th generation semi-submersible drilling units (CSDU) are characteristic of deeper drilling depth, site locations and higher operational efficiency, compared with the last generation ones. Given the enormous live loads change and increasing trend of main size dimensions, considerable optimization should be deployed to achieve a balance of economy, safety and good work performance. Trial calculation and definite assessment to check whether alternative schemes meet the requirements turns out to be ineffective, for the case by case study of hydrodynamic and structure strength analysis is time consuming. In the paper, an integrated optimal design model is formulated by merging multi-objective optimization and multi-attribute decision making into one. A predesigned parametric Finite Element Analysis (FEA) structural model of CSDU is developed and validated and then coupled with detailed hydrodynamic analysis. Three mutually conflicting design objectives are arrived by hydrodynamic solutions. They are stability, hydrodynamic performance and steel consumption, which are screened to obtain Pareto optimality. The Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) is applied to incorporate these optimal attributes into decision-making process, considering all criteria in terms of quantitative stability, hydrodynamic performance and qualitative economy. The objective entropy coefficient measuring the importance of different attributes is introduced into weight selection for the purpose of avoiding non-determinacy and optional judgements. The optimal solutions are further verified with main dimensions of CSDUs in service and also could give predictive suggestion for the new CSDUs. The study provides a more objective way of benchmarking different structural schemes of CSDU by considering multiple criteria simultaneously. It is demonstrated that the proposed structural optimization model is capable of effectively and accurately determining the optimal design of CSDU.


1998 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-62
Author(s):  
A. L. A. Costa ◽  
M. Natalini ◽  
M. F. Inglese ◽  
O. A. M. Xavier

Abstract Because the structural integrity of brake systems and tires can be related to the temperature, this work proposes a transient heat transfer finite element analysis (FEA) model to study the overheating in drum brake systems used in trucks and urban buses. To understand the mechanics of overheating, some constructive variants have been modeled regarding the assemblage: brake, rims, and tires. The model simultaneously studies the thermal energy generated by brakes and tires and how the heat is transferred and dissipated by conduction, convection, and radiation. The simulated FEA data and the experimental temperature profiles measured with thermocouples have been compared giving good correlation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 666-675
Author(s):  
Mihaela Tanase ◽  
Dan Florin Nitoi ◽  
Marina Melescanu Imre ◽  
Dorin Ionescu ◽  
Laura Raducu ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study was to determinate , using the Finite Element Analysis Method, the mechanical stress in a solid body , temporary molar restored with the self-curing GC material. The originality of our study consisted in using an accurate structural model and applying a concentrated force and a uniformly distributed pressure. Molar structure was meshed in a Solid Type 45 and the output data were obtained using the ANSYS software. The practical predictions can be made about the behavior of different restorations materials.


Actuators ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 95
Author(s):  
Ming Xu ◽  
Cheng Rong ◽  
Long He

Spiders rely on a hydraulic system to stretch their legs but use muscles to make their legs flex. The compound drive of hydraulics and muscle makes an integrate dexterous structure with powerful locomotion abilities, which perfectly meets the primary requirements of advanced robots. Inspired by this hydraulics-muscle co-drive joint, a novel flexible joint actuator was proposed and its driving characteristics were preliminarily explored. The bio-inspired flexible joint manifested as a double-constrained balloon actuator, which was fabricated by the composite process of 3D printing and casting. To evaluate its performance, the mathematical model was deduced, as well as the finite element analysis (FEA) model. A series of experiments on the rotation angles, driving forces, and efficiencies of the flexible joint were carried out and compared with the mathematical calculations and FEA simulations. The results show that the accuracy of the two theoretical models can be used to assess the joint actuator. The locomotion test of a soft arthropod robot with two flexible joints was also implemented, where the moving speed reached 22 mm/s and the feasibility of the proposed flexible joint applied to a soft robot was demonstrated.


Author(s):  
Xian-Kui Zhu ◽  
Rick Wang

Mechanical dents often occur in transmission pipelines, and are recognized as one of major threats to pipeline integrity because of the potential fatigue failure due to cyclic pressures. With matured in-line-inspection (ILI) technology, mechanical dents can be identified from the ILI runs. Based on ILI measured dent profiles, finite element analysis (FEA) is commonly used to simulate stresses and strains in a dent, and to predict fatigue life of the dented pipeline. However, the dent profile defined by ILI data is a purely geometric shape without residual stresses nor plastic deformation history, and is different from its actual dent that contains residual stresses/strains due to dent creation and re-rounding. As a result, the FEA results of an ILI dent may not represent those of the actual dent, and may lead to inaccurate or incorrect results. To investigate the effect of residual stress or plastic deformation history on mechanics responses and fatigue life of an actual dent, three dent models are considered in this paper: (a) a true dent with residual stresses and dent formation history, (b) a purely geometric dent having the true dent profile with all stress/strain history removed from it, and (c) a purely geometric dent having an ILI defined dent profile with all stress/strain history removed from it. Using a three-dimensional FEA model, those three dents are simulated in the elastic-plastic conditions. The FEA results showed that the two geometric dents determine significantly different stresses and strains in comparison to those in the true dent, and overpredict the fatigue life or burst pressure of the true dent. On this basis, suggestions are made on how to use the ILI data to predict the dent fatigue life.


Author(s):  
Peter Carter ◽  
D. L. Marriott ◽  
M. J. Swindeman

This paper examines techniques for the evaluation of two kinds of structural imperfection, namely bulging subject to internal pressure, and out-of-round imperfections subject to external pressure, with and without creep. Comparisons between comprehensive finite element analysis and API 579 Level 2 techniques are made. It is recommended that structural, as opposed to material, failures such as these should be assessed with a structural model that explicitly represents the defect.


Author(s):  
O̸sten Jensen ◽  
Anders Sunde Wroldsen ◽  
Pa˚l Furset Lader ◽  
Arne Fredheim ◽  
Mats Heide ◽  
...  

Aquaculture is the fastest growing food producing sector in the world. Considerable interest exists in developing open ocean aquaculture in response to a shortage of suitable, sheltered inshore locations. The harsh weather conditions experienced offshore lead to a focus on new structure concepts, remote monitoring and a higher degree of automation in order to keep the cost of structures and operations within an economically viable range. This paper proposes tensegrity structures in the design of flexible structures for offshore aquaculture. The finite element analysis program ABAQUS™ has been used to investigate stiffness properties and performance of tensegrity structures when subjected to various forced deformations and hydrodynamic load conditions. The suggested concept, the tensegrity beam, shows promising stiffness properties in tension, compression and bending, which are relevant for development of open ocean aquaculture construction for high energy environments. When designing a tensegrity beam, both pre-stress and spring stiffness should be considered to ensure the desired structural properties. A large strength to mass ratio and promising properties with respect to control of geometry, stiffness and vibration could make tensegrity an enabling technology for future developments.


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