A truss spar, named as Horn Mountain, was deployed in the Gulf of Mexico in 1,650 m of water, approximately 150 km southeast of New Orleans in June 2002. Horn Mountain is operated by British Petroleum (B.P.). Extensive field measurements were made using an integrated marine monitoring system attached to the truss spar. In this study, dynamic analysis of the truss spar interacting with its mooring and riser system was performed using a time-domain numerical code, known as ‘COUPLE’. The simulated results were then compared with the corresponding field measurements made during Hurricane Isidore. During the numerical study, various hydrodynamic parameters which were crucial to the accuracy of predicting the global motions of the truss spar and tensions in mooring lines and risers were scrutinized, such as the drag and added-mass coefficients of heave plates, hard tank and truss beams. Satisfactory agreement between the simulation and corresponding measurements was reached, indicating that the numerical code, COUPLE, can be used to conduct the time-domain analysis of a truss spar interacting with its mooring and riser system under severe storm impact. A comparative study was also conducted to analyze the significance of interaction of risers with the hull structure. Three different cases of coupled analysis are simulated, namely (i) coupled analysis of truss spar interacting with mooring lines, (ii) coupled analysis of truss spar interacting with the mooring lines and the steel catenary risers, (iii) coupled analysis of truss spar interacting with the mooring lines, the steel catenary risers and top tension risers. Major statistical parameters of the global motions of the truss spar and the mooring line tensions for the three cases are compared with the field measurements.

A truss spar, named as Horn Mountain, was deployed in the Gulf of Mexico in 1,650 m of water, approximately 150 km southeast of New Orleans in June 2002. Horn Mountain is operated by British Petroleum (B.P.). Extensive field measurements were made using an integrated marine monitoring system attached to the truss spar. In this study, dynamic analysis of the truss spar interacting with its mooring and riser system was performed using a time-domain numerical code, known as ‘COUPLE’. The simulated results were then compared with the corresponding field measurements made during Hurricane Isidore. During the numerical study, various hydrodynamic parameters which were crucial to the accuracy of predicting the global motions of the truss spar and tensions in mooring lines and risers were scrutinized, such as the drag and added-mass coefficients of heave plates, hard tank and truss beams. Satisfactory agreement between the simulation and corresponding measurements was reached, indicating that the numerical code, COUPLE, can be used to conduct the time-domain analysis of a truss spar interacting with its mooring and riser system under severe storm impact. A comparative study was also conducted to analyze the significance of interaction of risers with the hull structure. Three different cases of coupled analysis are simulated, namely (i) coupled analysis of truss spar interacting with mooring lines, (ii) coupled analysis of truss spar interacting with the mooring lines and the steel catenary risers, (iii) coupled analysis of truss spar interacting with the mooring lines, the steel catenary risers and top tension risers. Major statistical parameters of the global motions of the truss spar and the mooring line tensions for the three cases are compared with the field measurements.

Nonlinear coupling problems between the multiple bodies or between the mooring/riser and the offshore platform are incorporated in the CHARM3D-MultiBody, a fully coupled time domain analysis program for multiple bodies with moorings and risers. The nonlinear spring connection module and the three dimensional beam module are added to appropriately solve the structural connection problem. The nonlinear spring connection module includes the hydro-pneumatic tensioner module with the friction & stick/slip implementation, the tendon/mooring disconnection (breakage/unlatch) module with the tendon down-stroke check, and the contact spring with the initial gap with the friction force implemented. The nonlinear coupling may happen in many places for the offshore floating structures, such as hydro-pneumatic tensioner, tendon of TLP down stroke at the bottom joint, stick-slip phenomena at the tie down of the derrick and most of the fender-to-steel or steel-to-steel contact problem with initial gap during the installation. The mooring/tendon broken and unlatch can be a nonlinear connection problem once the transient mode is taken into account. Nonlinearity of the stiffness and friction characteristics of the tensioner combined with stick-slip behavior of riser keel joint is investigated. The relationship between tensions and strokes for hydro-pneumatic tensioner is based on the ideal gas equation where the isotropic gas constant can be varied to achieve an optimum stroke design based on tensioner stiffness. A transient effect of tendon down-stroke and disconnection on global performance of ETLP for harsh environmental condition is also investigated by incorporating the nonlinear boundary condition of the FE tendon model in CHARM3D. The program is made to be capable of modeling the tendon disconnection both at the top and the bottom connection as well as the down stroke behavior for the pinned bottom joint. The performance of the tie-down clamp of derrick is also investigated by using six degrees of freedom spring model and the three(3) dimensional FE beam model. The coupling of the TLP motion with the reaction force at the tie-down clamp is considered by using exact nonlinear dynamic equations of the motion with the reaction forces modeled with the spring or FE beam model. The method reduces too much conservatism when we design the tie-down system by the conventional method, in which all the environmental forces are combined without the phase lag effect between them. The FE beam model is also applied to the connectors between the semisubmersible and the truss for the pre-service and in-place conditions to be verified with the model test results, which shows good agreements.

Fluorine gas is produced industrially by electrolysing hydrogen fluoride in a potassium acid fluoride electrolyte. Fluorine is produced at the carbon anode, while hydrogen is produced at the mild-steel cathode. The fluorine produced has a wide range of uses, most notably in the nuclear industry where it is used to separate 235U and 238U. The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) is a producer of fluorine and requested an investigation into the hydrodynamics of their electrolysis cells as part of a larger national initiative to beneficiate more of South Africa’s large fluorspar deposits. Due to the extremely corrosive and toxic environment inside a typical fluorine electrolysis reactor, the fluid dynamics in the reactor are not understood well enough. The harsh conditions make detailed experimental investigation of the reactors extremely dangerous. The objective of this project is to construct a model that can accurately predict the physical processes involved in the production of fluorine gas. The results of the simulation will be compared to experimental results from tests done on a lab-scale reactor. A good correlation between reality and the simulacrum would mean engineers and designers can interrogate the inner operation of said reactors safely, effortlessly and economically. This contribution reports a time-dependent simulation of a fluorine-producing electrolysis reactor. COMSOL Multiphysics was used as a tool to construct a two dimensional model where the charge-, heat-, mass- and momentum transfer were fully coupled in one transient simulation. COMSOL is a finite element analysis software package. It enables the user to specify the dimensions of his/her investigation and specify a set of partial differential equations, boundary conditions and starting values. These equations can be coupled to ensure that the complex interaction between the various physical phenomena can be taken into account - an absolute necessity in a model as complex as this one. Results produced include a set of time dependent graphics where the charge-, heat-, mass- and momentum transfer inside the reactor and their development can be visualized clearly. The average liquid velocity in the reactor was also simulated and it was found that this value stabilises after around 90 s. The results of each transfer module are also shown at 100 s, where it is assumed that the simulation has achieved a quasi-steady state. The reactor, on which the model is based, is currently under construction and will be operated under the same conditions as specified in the model. The reactor, constructed of stainless steel, has a transparent side window through which both electrodes can clearly be seen. Thus the bubble formation and flow in the reactor can be studied effectively. Temperature will be measured with a set of thermocouples imbedded in PTFE throughout the reactor. The electric field will similarly be measured using electric induction probes. / Dissertation (MEng)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Chemical Engineering / unrestricted

Visualizing and interacting with engineering analysis results can provide valuable insights into a system's performance and aid in engineering decision-making. Currently, the majority of analysis codes are developed as isolated solutions focusing only on the most prominent physical influence to a system, such as thermal, structural, fluid, etc. Frequently, more than one of these physical influences combined to force engineers to evaluate complex, coupled systems. Coupled analysis codes are becoming more common place tools for engineers demanding high fidelity simulations of complex systems. External code coupling solutions are emerging to permit generic coupling of separate, world class CAE solvers thus providing a more general class of multidisciplinary simulations. The true value of an engineering analysis is determined by the accuracy of the analysis code and the ability to interpret all of the significant information contained in the analysis results. Post-processing visualization tools have long been valued for their ability to aid engineers in interpreting all of the significant information contained in non-coupled CAE analysis results. The tie between non-coupled CAE solvers and post-processing visualization tools is poorly defined and currently few general post-processing visualization tools exist capable of interpreting a wide range of differing CAE results. The few tools capable of general post-processing require extensive development of dozens of data readers or translators to accommodate the slew of varying CAE data formats. As coupled CAE solutions emerge, a need exists to standardize the data exchange between CAE solvers and post-processing visualization tools. A format for this standard CAE data exchange, similar to IGES for CAD/CAM data, is proposed. The object of this research is to bridge the gap between external code couplers and post-processing visualization tools to initiate visualization and interaction with these externally coupled results. This fusion of two dissimilar technologies affords a greater level of result interpretation to support engineering decision-making. A general integration architecture is presented and a proof of concept with industry leading tools is developed to demonstrate the benefits of a tight integration between external code couplers and post-processing visualization tools. Examples are presented of visualizing externally coupled results. This research lets the engineer significantly interact with and visualize more complex problems, solved in preferred world class tools, in a timely and streamlined manner.

No description available.

[pt] Simuladores de escoamento em reservatórios são ferramentas importantes na otimização do desenvolvimento de um campo de petróleo. Estes simuladores modelam o escoamento multifásico através de meios porosos compressíveis, levando em conta as equações de equilíbrio de fases, as leis de fluxo e a variação volumétrica do meio poroso associada à variação da pressão de poros do sistema. As tensões in situ são consideradas através da aplicação de tensões constantes no contorno do reservatório. Este trabalho descreve a utilização de um simulador convencional de reservatório, baseado em diferenças finitas com e sem um módulo geomecânico, e a utilização de um simulador acoplado, que resolve as equações de escoamento e de tensão num mesmo código de elementos finitos. Nesta dissertação são feitas comparações entre os modelos geomecânicos aproximado e rigoroso oferecidos pelos simuladores comerciais, além de ser apresentada uma análise de situações em que esta última forma deve ser realmente considerada. O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar a influência das tensões in situ em reservatórios de petróleo com base na comparação entre os campos de poropressões obtidos a partir da modelagem de um mesmo sistema com os dois simuladores geomecânicos. São apresentadas as formas de acoplamento e a formulação utilizada em cada um dos modelos. Os modelos geomecânicos utilizados em cada um dos simuladores são comparados. É feita uma comparação entre os resultados obtidos pelos dois simuladores a partir de um modelo bidimensional. / [en] Numerical simulators for reservoir flow analysis are important tools for the optimization of oil field development. These simulators model the multiphase flow through compressible porous medium taking into account the phase equilibrium equations, flow laws and the rock volumetric change associated to the pore pressure change during production. Some simulators have been associated with stress analysis modules in order to use the pore pressure field obtained by the flow simulator and update the stress field within the reservoir. This dissertation describes the use of a conventional reservoir simulator based on finite differences that models multiphase flow in porous media, with and without a geomechanical module, and the use of a fully-coupled simulator that solves both the flow and stress equations in a single finite element code. This dissertation compares the two geomechanical modules, the approximated and the precise, offered by commercial simulators, and analyses the situations in which the rigorous form should be considered, or not. The aim of this dissertation is to investigate the influence of in situ stresses in petroleum reservoirs based on the comparison of the pore pressure fields obtained from the modeling of the same system with both geomechanical simulators. The coupling and formulation used in each model are presented. The geomechanical models of both simulators are described. A comparison of the simulators is made using a bidimensional model.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(農学) / 甲第21151号 / 農博第2277号 / 新制||農||1059(附属図書館) / 学位論文||H30||N5125(農学部図書室) / 京都大学大学院農学研究科地域環境科学専攻 / (主査)教授 村上 章, 教授 川島 茂人, 教授 藤原 正幸 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Agricultural Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

The exposure from a localized vehicle fire has been observed to produce excessive damage onto highway bridge structural elements including complete collapse of the infrastructure. The occurrence of a fire beneath a bridge can lead to significant economic expense and loss of service even if the bridge does not collapse. The focus of the current research is to assess and evaluate the effect of realistic localized fire exposures from vehicles on the bridge structural integrity and to guide future development of highway bridge design with improved fire resistance. In this research, the bridge structural element response was predicted through a series of three loosely coupled analyses: fire analysis, thermal analysis, and structural analysis. Two different types of fire modeling methodologies were developed in this research and used to predict the thermo-structural response of bridge structural elements: one to model the non-uniform exposure due to a vehicle fire and another to predict response due to a standard uniform furnace exposure. The vehicle fire scenarios required coupling the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) with Abaqus while the furnace exposure scenarios were all done within Abaqus. Both methodologies were benchmarked against experimental data. Using the developed methodologies, simulations were initially performed to predict the thermo-structural response of a single steel girder-concrete deck composite assembly to different local, non-uniform fires and uniform standard furnace fire exposures. The steel girder-concrete deck composite assembly was selected since it is a common bridge design. Following this, a series of simulations were performed on unprotected highway bridges with multiple steel plate girders and steel tub girders subjected to localized fires. The analyses were used to evaluate the influence of a fire scenario on the bridge element response, identify the factors governing the failure of bridge structural elements subjected to a localized fire exposure, and provide guidance in the design of highway bridge structural elements against fire hazards. This study demonstrates that girder geometry affected both the dynamics of the fire as well as the heat transfer to the bridge structural elements which resulted in a different structural response for the bridge. A heavy goods vehicle (heat release rate of 200 MW) and tanker fires (heat release rate of 300 MW) were predicted to cause the bridge to fail due to collapse, while smaller fires did not. The geometric features of the plate girders caused the girder elements to be exposed to higher heat fluxes from both sides of the girder resulting in collapse when exposed to a HGV fire. Conversely, the closed feature of the box girder does not allow the interior surfaces to be in direct contact with the flames and are only exposed to the internal reradiation from surfaces inside the girder. As a result, the single and double lane tub girder highway bridge structure does not fail due to a heavy goods vehicle fire exposure. / Ph. D.

Temperature gradient causes volume change (elongation/shortening) in concrete structures. If the movement of the structure is restrained, significant stresses may occur on the structure. These stresses may be so significant that they can cause considerable cracking at structural components of large concrete structures. Thus, during the design of a concrete structure, the actual temperature gradient in the structure should be obtained in order to compute the stress distribution on the structure due to thermal effects. This study focuses on the implementation of a solution procedure for coupled thermal and structural analysis with finite element method for such structures. For this purpose, first transient heat transfer analysis algorithm is implemented to compute the thermal gradient occurring inside the concrete structures. Then, the output of the thermal analysis is combined with the linear static solution algorithm to compute stresses due to temperature gradient. Several, 2D and 3D, finite elements having both structural and thermal analysis capabilities are developed. The performances of each finite element are investigated. As a case study, the top floor of two L-shaped reinforced concrete parking structure and office building are analyzed. Both structures are subjected to heat convection at top face of the slabs as ambient condition. The bottom face of the slab of the parking structure has the same thermal conditions as the top face whereas in the office building the temperature inside the building is fixed to 20 degrees. The differences in the stress distribution of the slabs and the internal forces of the vertical structural members are discussed.