Dynamics Modeling and Analysis of Riveted Mainframe Computer Structure

Author(s):  
Budy Notohardjono ◽  
Richard Ecker ◽  
Shawn Canfield

A typical mainframe computer rack is narrow, tall and long. In certain installations, during its functional operation, the server can be subjected to earthquake events. The rack is a steel structure joined together with steel rivets. One of the rack’s functions is to protect the critical components such as the processor, input-output and storage drawers from excessive motion by minimizing the amount of deflection. The riveted joints pose a challenge in accurately representing more than three thousand joints in a finite element (FE) model. In the FE model, bonding together sheet metal regions around the rivet joints will lead to a significantly stiffer model than the actual structure. On the other hand, an accurate representation of the riveted joints will lead to a better representation of the dynamic response of the server rack under vertical and horizontal loadings. This paper presents a method of analyzing rivet joints. The rivet joints are represented by beam elements with cylindrical cross-sections in the FE model. This is accomplished by identifying two parallel or overlapping plates and inserting discrete beam elements at the riveted joint. This method will be used to predict the dynamics modes of the structure. To validate the FE model, a prototype server rack was subjected to side to side vibration tests. A sine sweep vibration test identifies dominant mode shapes and the transmissibility of the input vibration. The results of the tests on the prototype rack serve as input for FE model refinement. The test data show that representing the riveted joints with beams does provide results that closely match the actual test data. A validated FE model will be used to evaluate dominant vibration modes for several configurations of rack weight as well as configurations to stiffen the structure in the side to side direction. The dynamic mode shapes visualize the effect of stiffening brackets on dominant frequencies of the rack. The optimal stiffening design will be the one that results in the minimum deflection under the standard testing profile.

Author(s):  
Dapeng Zhu ◽  
Yang Wang

In order to obtain a more accurate finite element (FE) model for a built structure, experimental data collected from the actual structure can be used to update the FE model. This process is known as FE model updating. Numerous FE model updating algorithms have been developed in the past few decades. However, most existing algorithms suffer computational challenges, particularly when applied to a large structure with dense measurements. The reason is these approaches usually operate on a relatively complicated model for the entire structure. To address this issue, a substructure updating approach is presented in this paper. The Craig-Bampton theory is adopted to condense the entire structural model into a substructure (currently being analyzed) and a residual structure. Dynamic response of the residual structure is approximated using only a limited number of dominant mode shapes. To improve the convergence of this substructure approach for model updating, an iterative convex optimization procedure is developed and validated through numerical simulation with a 200 degrees-of-freedom spring-mass model. The proposed substructure model updating is shown to successfully detect the locations and severities of simulated damage.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincenzo Rotondella ◽  
Andrea Merulla ◽  
Andrea Baldini ◽  
Sara Mantovani

This paper presents a comparison between the experimental investigation and the Finite Element (FE) modal analysis of an automotive rear subframe. A modal correlation between the experimental data and the forecasts is performed. The present numerical model constitutes a predictive methodology able to forecast the experimental dynamic behaviour of the structure. The actual structure is excited with impact hammers and the modal response of the subframe is collected and evaluated by the PolyMAX algorithm. Both the FE model and the structural performance of the subframe are defined according to the Ferrari S.p.A. internal regulations. In addition, a novel modelling technique for welded joints is proposed that represents an extension of ACM2 approach, formulated for spot weld joints in dynamic analysis. Therefore, the Modal Assurance Criterion (MAC) is considered the optimal comparison index for the numerical-experimental correlation. In conclusion, a good numerical-experimental agreement from 50 Hz up to 500 Hz has been achieved by monitoring various dynamic parameters such as the natural frequencies, the mode shapes, and frequency response functions (FRFs) of the structure that represent a validation of this FE model for structural dynamic applications.


Author(s):  
Dhyanjyoti Deka ◽  
Paul R. Hays ◽  
Kamaldev Raghavan ◽  
Mike Campbell

VIVA is a vortex induced vibration (VIV) analysis software that to date has not been widely used as a design tool in the offshore oil and gas industry. VIVA employs a hydrodynamic database that has been benchmarked and calibrated against test data [1]. It offers relatively few input variables reducing the risk of user induced variability of results [2]. In addition to cross flow current induced standing wave vibration, VIVA has the capability of predicting traveling waves on a subsea riser, or a combination of standing and traveling waves. Riser boundary conditions including fixed, pinned, flex joint or SCR seabed interaction can be modeled using springs and dashpots. VIVA calculates riser natural frequencies and mode shapes and also has the flexibility to import external modal solutions. In this paper, the applicability of VIVA for the design of straked steel catenary risers (SCR) and top tensioned risers (TTR) is explored. The use of linear and rotational springs provided by VIVA to model SCR soil interaction and flex joint articulation is evaluated. Comparisons of the VIV fatigue damage output with internal and external modal solution is presented in this paper. This paper includes validation of the VIVA generated modal solution by comparing the modal frequencies and curvatures against a finite element (FE) model of the risers. Fatigue life is calculated using long term Gulf of Mexico (GoM) currents and is compared against the industry standard software SHEAR7. Three different lift curve selections in SHEAR7 are used for this comparison. The differences in riser response prediction by the two software tools are discussed in detail. The sensitivity of the VIVA predicted riser response to the absence of VIV suppression devices is presented in this paper. The riser VIV response with and without external FE generated modal input is compared and the relative merits of the two modeling approaches are discussed. Finally, the recommended approach for VIVA usage for SCR and TTR design is given.


2015 ◽  
Vol 712 ◽  
pp. 63-68
Author(s):  
Przemysław Osocha ◽  
Bohdan Węglowski

In some coal-fired power plants, pipeline elements have worked for over 200 000 hours and increased number of failures is observed. The paper discuses thermal wear processes that take place in those elements and lead to rupture. Mathematical model based on creep test data, and describing creep processes for analyzed material, has been developed. Model has been verified for pipeline operating temperature, lower than tests temperature, basing on Larson-Miller relation. Prepared model has been used for thermal-strength calculations based on a finite element method. Processes taking place inside of element and leading to its failure has been described. Than, basing on prepared mathematical creep model and FE model introduced to Ansys program further researches are made. Analysis of dimensions and shape of pipe junction and its influence on operational element lifetime is presented. In the end multi variable dependence of temperature, steam pressure and element geometry is shown, allowing optimization of process parameters in function of required operational time or maximization of steam parameters. The article presents wide range of methods. The creep test data were recalculated for operational temperature using Larson-Miller parameter. The creep strain were modelled, used equations and their parameters are presented. Analysis of errors were conducted. Geometry of failing pipe junction was introduced to the Ansys program and the finite element analysis of creep process were conducted.


Complexity ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nizar Faisal Alkayem ◽  
Maosen Cao ◽  
Minvydas Ragulskis

Structural damage detection is a well-known engineering inverse problem in which the extracting of damage information from the dynamic responses of the structure is considered a complex problem. Within that area, the damage tracking in 3D structures is evaluated as a more complex and difficult task. Swarm intelligence and evolutionary algorithms (EAs) can be well adapted for solving the problem. For this purpose, a hybrid elitist-guided search combining a multiobjective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO), Lévy flights (LFs), and the technique for the order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) is evolved in this work. Modal characteristics are employed to develop the objective function by considering two subobjectives, namely, modal strain energy (MSTE) and mode shape (MS) subobjectives. The proposed framework is tested using a well-known benchmark model. The overall strong performance of the suggested method is maintained even under noisy conditions and in the case of incomplete mode shapes.


Proceedings ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (16) ◽  
pp. 1139
Author(s):  
Rims Janeliukstis ◽  
Sandris Rucevski ◽  
Sakdirat Kaewunruen

Railway prestressed concrete sleepers are a structural and safety-critical component in railway tracks. [...]


2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (04) ◽  
pp. 871-884 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. KARACHALIOS ◽  
C. VRETTOS ◽  
Z. MARIOLI-RIGA ◽  
C. BISAGNI ◽  
P. CORDISCO ◽  
...  

Prediction of the buckling behavior of structures is of great interest in the aerospace industry, and extensive research is taking place worldwide in that area. The current work concerns numerical simulation of the collapse test of a closed stiffened composite box subjected to compression followed by torsion. Numerical simulation is performed and the results are correlated with experimental findings. The objective is to validate the numerical model and detect any deficiencies of the modeling procedure. For this purpose, a series of quantities numerically predicted are directly compared with experimental ones: strains, displacements, deformation plots and load–displacement curves. The physical test article also contains artificial stringer–skin debondings realized via Teflon film inserts. The energy release rates are calculated at the debonding front using the virtual crack closure technique. The FE model is slightly stiffer than the actual structure but the numerical results are at a reasonable level of agreement with the experimental data.


Author(s):  
Y. H. Tang ◽  
H. Yu ◽  
J. E. Gordon ◽  
M. Priante ◽  
D. Y. Jeong ◽  
...  

This paper describes analyses of a railroad tank car impacted at its side by a ram car with a rigid punch. This generalized collision, referred to as a shell impact, is examined using nonlinear (i.e., elastic-plastic) finite element analysis (FEA) and three-dimensional (3-D) collision dynamics modeling. Moreover, the analysis results are compared to full-scale test data to validate the models. Commercial software packages are used to carry out the nonlinear FEA (ABAQUS and LS-DYNA) and the 3-D collision dynamics analysis (ADAMS). Model results from the two finite element codes are compared to verify the analysis methodology. Results from static, nonlinear FEA are compared to closed-form solutions based on rigid-plastic collapse for additional verification of the analysis. Results from dynamic, nonlinear FEA are compared to data obtained from full-scale tests to validate the analysis. The collision dynamics model is calibrated using test data. While the nonlinear FEA requires high computational times, the collision dynamics model calculates gross behavior of the colliding cars in times that are several orders of magnitude less than the FEA models.


Author(s):  
Mohamed Mohamed ◽  
Philip Bonello ◽  
Peter Russhard

One of the main challenges of the Blade Tip Timing (BTT) measurement method is to be able to determine the sensing position of the probe relative to the blade tip. It is highly important to identify the measurement point of BTT since each point of the blade tip may have a different vibration response. This means that a change in measurement position will affect the amplitude, phase and DC component of the results obtained from BTT data. This increases the uncertainty in the correlation between BTT measurements and Finite Element (FE) modelling. Also, the measurement point should ideally be located to measure as many modes as possible. This means that the probe’s position should not coincide with a node, or a position at which the sensor misses the blade tip. Changes in the sensing position usually arise from the steady state movements of the blades (change in mean displacement). Such movements are caused by changes to the static (thermal and pressure) loading conditions that result from changes in the rotational speed. Such movements usually have a constant direction at normal operating conditions, but the direction may fluctuate if the machine develops a fault. There are three main types of movements of the sensing position that are considered in this paper: (1) axial movement; (2) blade lean; (3) blade untwist. Ideally, the sensing position is known based on the geometries of both the blade and the probe, but due to different types of movements of the blade this position is lost. Very few works have researched the extraction of the sensing position. Such preliminary works have required a pre-knowledge of mode shapes and additional instrumentation. The aim of this paper is to present a novel method for the identification of the BTT sensing position of the probes relative to a blade tip, which can be used to quantify the above movements. The developed method works by extracting the steady state offset from measurements of blade tip displacements over a number of revolutions as the speed changes from zero to a certain value. Hence, that part of the offset that is due to the angular positioning error of the probes (outside the scope of this work) is cancelled out (since it is independent of speed). The change in steady state offset is then processed to identify the three possible movements. The new method is validated using a novel BTT simulator that is based on the modal model of the FE model of a bladed disk (“blisk”). The simulator generates BTT data for prescribed changes to the sensing position. The validation tests show that the novel algorithm can identify such movements within a 2% margin of error.


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