Knowledge about the dynamic behaviour is a basic condition for a secure operation of modern machine tools. Hence numerical methods predicting the dynamic properties are gaining in importance. Usually for complex and coupled structures, the results of dynamic property calculation are yet insufficient. Therefore Finite Element model updating is a tool to improve the hypothetical factor of the analysis. Within the present thesis Finite Element modelling is performed using the example of the “Scherenkinematik”, a machine tool based on hybrid-kinematics. Initially the results of an Experimental Modal Analysis are evaluated by identifying Modal parameters and deriving possible structural modifications. In the second part of the thesis, the machines Finite Element model is created using the FEA-Software ANSYS. Afterwards the Finite Element model updating is performed by coupling ANSYS and the CAE-Software FEMtools. Therefore two approaches are formulated and tracked. It turns out, that there is no improvement of the analytical and experimental models correlation, neighter with nor without a steady reduction of the search domain needed for mode coupling. It is reasoned, that the characteristics and the results of an Finite Element updating process are affected by the quality of the model at start time and the approach as well as the technique chosen for model updating and parameter modification. Therefore the CAE-Software FEMtools is suitable to only a limited extent for Finite Element updating of strongly coupled mechanical structures as a result of the sensitivity analysis used for parameter modification.

Thermal power stations operate at elevated temperatures and pressures in order to attain maximum available steam energy. At these high temperatures creep becomes a dominant mechanism that needs to be considered. However, for many components, the locations where peak stresses occur are unreachable to apply the commonly used Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) techniques. This encourages the use of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to better predict the creep state in these complex components. Commonly, creep damage models are used in conjunction with accelerated creep tests to develop material models that can be implemented into a FEA to determine failure. These approaches are often infeasible for industrial decision-making, leaving a gap for more accessible commercially available models to be developed. This paper focuses on using openly available creep data from the Japanese National Institute for Material Science (NIMS). A creep strain model capable of modelling only the primary and secondary creep regimes was then chosen from the ANSYS database to fit this data. In order to fully characterise the experimental data a multi-creep-model approach was adopted that uses a family of creep models, instead of a single creep material model, to characterise the probable range of responses. This methodology was applied to an industrial application, namely an Intermediate Pressure (IP) valve operating under creep-prone conditions. The multi-creep-model approach was incorporated into FEA to analyse the variation in stress distributions. It was interesting to see that a variation of 153% in the creep strain models only resulted in a 21% variation in the relaxed stress. Worst case scenario life time calculations were then conducted using both a time-based Larson-Miller approach and a strain-based ASME code approach. Both sets of results showed that, for the specific component of interest, creep rupture lifetimes were in excess of 3000 years. It was therefore noted that, for the IP valve of interest, the operating temperature and pressure combination were such that no worrisome creep damage occurred. In conclusion, for the specific component analysed, the operating conditions are such that creep based failure will not occur. / Dissertation (MEng)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / NRF / EPPEI / Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering / MEng / Unrestricted

Langmuir Circulation is a common phenomenon driven by wind in oceans and lakes and was first studied by Langmuir in 1927. According to various ocean observations, this kind of phenomenon plays an important role in many phenomena such as the aggregation of bubbles, the distribution of plankton as well as the mixing of spilled oil and sediment in the ocean. To study this, an experimental facility has been developed in the lab which creates a small scale version of Langmuir Circulation. This thesis is about the design and testing of this tank and surrounding aluminum frame, as well as the design and construction of the illumination equipment (the Green Lantern 2.0) needed for Particle Image Velocimetry measurements within the tank. ANSYS will be used to show whether the tank is structurally strong enough to support the fluid. An enhancement is found that prevents a frontward bend of tank wall, which is analyzed by ANSYS to find an optimized construction to minimize tank deformation. Then, the Light-Emitting Diode (LED) and collimating lens selection for the Green Lantern 2.0 will also be shown in this paper. Besides, this thesis also presents preliminary flow measurement data acquired using the illumination equipment (the Green Lantern).

Diese Diplomarbeit beschäftigt sich mit der Entwicklung von Teststrukturen zur Charakterisierung von Mikrosystemen auf Waferebene. Sie dienen zur Bestimmung von Prozesstoleranzen. Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, einen Algorithmus zu entwickeln, mit dem Teststrukturen optimiert werden können. Dazu wird ein Ansatz zur Optimierung von Teststrukturen mittels eines Genetischen Algorithmus untersucht. Grundlage für diesen ist eine Bewertung der Strukturen hinsichtlich der Sensitivität gegenüber den Fertigungsparametern und der Messbarkeit der Eigenmoden. Dem Leser wird zuerst ein Einblick in das Themengebiet und in die Verwendung von Teststrukturen gegeben. Es folgen Grundlagen zur Fertigung und Messung von Mikrosystemen, zur Parameteridentifikation, sowie zu Optimierungsalgorithmen. Anschließend wird ein Bewertungs- und Optimierungskonzept, sowie eine Softwareimplementation für die sich aus der Optmierung ergebenden Aufgaben, vorgestellt. Unter anderem eine Eigenmodenerkennung mittels Neuronalem Netz und einer auf der Vandermond’schen Matrix basierende Datenregression. Die Ergebnisse aus der Umsetzung durch ein Testframework werden abschließend erläutert. Es wird gezeigt, dass die Optimierung von Teststrukturen mittels Genetischem Algorithmus möglich ist. Die dargestellte Bewertung liefert für die untersuchten Teststrukturen nachvollziehbare Resultate. Sie ist in der vorliegenden Form allerdings auf Grund zu grober Differenzierung nicht für den Genetischen Algorithmus geeignet. Entsprechende Verbesserungsmöglichkeiten werden gegeben. / This diploma thesis deals with the development of test-structures for the characterization of microsystems on wafer level. Test-structures are used for the determination of geometrical parameters and material properties deviations which are influenced by microsystem fabrication prozesses. The aim of this work is to establish principles for the optimization of the test-structures. A genetic algorithm as an approach for optimization is investigated in detail. The reader will get an insight in the topic and the application of test-structures. Fundamentals of fabrication and measurement methods of microsystems, the parameter identification procedure and algorithms for optimization follow. The procedures and a corresponding software implementation of some applied issues, which are needed for the optimization of test structures, are presented. Among them are neural network algorithms for mode identification and a data regression algorithm, based on Vandermonde Matrix. Results of implemented software algorithms and an outlook conclude this work. It is shown, that the optimization of test-structure using a genetic algorithm is possible. An automated parameter variation procedure and the extraction of important test-structures parameters like sensitivity and mode order are working properly. However, the presented evaluation is not suitable for the genetic algorithm in the presented form. Hence, improvements of evaluation procedure are suggested.

Die Zusammenarbeit zwischen Creo Parametric und ANSYS wird durch die Nutzung der ANSYS – Creo Schnittstelle deutlich erleichtert. Diese überträgt nicht nur die reine Geometrie, sondern bietet zudem die Möglichkeit auch Parameter, Named Selections und Bemaßungen zu übergeben. Damit wird die Zusammenarbeit deutlich erleichtert und effektiver.

This presentation will introduce users to Creo Simulation Live powered by Ansys. This new offering makes it possible for designers and engineers to analyze their product real-time while they design to help gain early insight into the products overall quality. During the presentation, PTC will cover the strategic partnership with Ansys, an overview and demonstration of Creo Simulation Live and roadmap for new simulation offerings coming in the future.

Aeration issued through a ventilation shaft is an important measure to prevent cavitation and large gauge pressure in flood discharge tunnels. In order to dimension the ventilation shaft appropriately, itis necessary to have a good understanding of the air-water flow in the tunnel. In this study, the multiphase flow through a discharge tunnel was simulated in the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software ANSYS Fluent. Since the flow was separated, the simulation setup used the volume of fluid (VOF) multiphase model, that could track the water surface. Furthermore, the so called RNG k-epsilon turbulence model was used. The CFD model was validated with measured data provided from two open channel experiments carried out on a scaled model at Sichuan University. To ensure mesh independence, grid convergence index (GCI)studies were performed for the two validating cases. After the validation, a top wall and a ventilation shaft was added to the CFD model. The flow was then simulated for four different shaft designs and four different water inlet velocities. The air demand and air supply for the various scenarios could thereby be calculated. The results of this study were also compared with previous research on multiphase flow through tunnels with similar design. It was concluded that the air flow downstream in the tunnel converged for the two larger designs. It was also concluded that the air demand in the tunnel was satisfied for the larger ventilation shafts. A smaller study on cavitation was made and the risk was considered non-existent for all the simulated cases.

No description available.

To make sure that a dam is safe it is important to have good knowledge about the energy dissipation in the spillway. Physical hydraulic model tests are reliable when investigating how the water flow behaves on its way through the spillway. The problem with physical model testing is that it is both expensive and time consuming, therefore computational fluid dynamics, CFD, is a more feasible option. This projects focuses on a spillway located in Sweden that Vattenfall R&D built a physical model of to simulate the water discharge and evaluate the energy dissipation in order to rebuild the actual spillway. The main purpose of this project is to evaluate if the physical hydraulic test results can be reproduced by using CFD, and obtain detailed results about the flow that could not be obtained by physical testing. There are several steps that need to be completed to create a CFD-model. The first step is to create a geometry, then the geometry needs to be meshed. After the meshing the boundary conditions need to be set and the different models, multiphase model and the viscous model, need to be defined. Next step is to set the operating conditions and decide which solution method that will be used. Then the simulation can be run and the results can get extracted. In this project two CFD simulations were performed. The first simulation was to be compared with the physical hydraulic model test results and the second CFD simulation was of the rebuilt spillway. The results proved that the physical model test results could be recreated by using CFD. It also gave a better understanding of how the energy dissipation was in the spillway and indicates that the reconstruction of the actual spillway was successful since the new spillway both had a higher water discharge capacity and better energy dissipation.

The Accelerated bridge construction (ABC) techniques are gaining popularity among the departments of transportation (DOTs) due to their reductions of on-site construction time and traffic delays. One ABC technique that utilizes precast deck panels has demonstrated some advantages over normal cast-in-place construction, but has also demonstrated some serviceability issues such as cracks and water leakage to the transverse joints. Some of these problems are addressed by applying longitudinal prestressing. This thesis evaluates the service and ultimate capacities in both flexure and shear, of the finite element models of the post-tensioned system currently used by Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) and a proposed curved-bolt system to confirm the experimental results. The panels were built and tested under negative moment in order to investigate a known problem, namely, tension in the deck concrete. Shear tests were performed on specimens with geometry designed to investigate the effects of high shear across the joint. The curved-bolt connection not only provides the necessary compressive stress across the transverse joint but also makes future replacement of a single deck panel possible without replacing the entire deck. Load-deflection, shear-deflection curves were obtained using the experimental tests and were used to compare with the values obtained from finite element analysis. In flexure, the ultimate load predicted by the finite element model was lower than the experimental ultimate load by 1% for the post-tensioned connection and 3% for the curved-bolt connection. The shear models predicted the ultimate shear reached, within 5% of the experimental values. The cracking pattern also matched closely. The yield and cracking moment of the curved-bolt connection predicted by the finite element model were lower by 13% and 2%, respectively, compared to the post-tensioned connection in flexure.