Finite element method simulation models for thin-film semiconductor-based Hall sensors were developed using secondary data in order to understand their behavior under strong magnetic fields. Given a device geometry and charge carrier density and mobility, the models accurately calculated sensor resistance, Hall voltage under a normally-incident constant magnetic field, and expected offset from a population of Hall devices. The model was successfully matched against data from integrated chip Hall sensors from St. Jude Medical. Additionally, the feasibility of creating Hall effect devices with common carbon ink was explored experimentally. The material properties obtained from testing these ink-based devices through the Van der Pauw method were added to the simulation model to analyze validity of the collected data.

No description available.

This master’s thesis describes design and comparison of three variants of the crankshaft in-line diesel engine for commercial vehicles. The work focuses on working with programs for 3D modelling and analysis proposed models, to be able to work under difficult conditions. Part of this work is a computational modal and strength analysis.

Cochlear implants are electronic devices intended for restoring hearing to the profoundly deaf. Unfortunately the degree of restored hearing varies greatly between subjects. To investigate some of the mechanisms that determine this variability, mathematical models of the auditory system are used. The level of detail that these models incorporate varies greatly. The present study describes the development of a method to create high detail, subject specific cochlea models. μ-CT scans and photomicrographs were used to obtain the morphology and histology of a specific guinea pig cochlea. A 3D model was constructed from this data and the finite element method was used to determine the potential distribution inside the cochlea. The potential distribution was calculated for different stimulus protocols applied to different modelled electrodes. A neuron model was then used to obtain neural excitation profiles. The modelled excitation profiles were compared to data from literature and it was found that this model is valid and can be used as a tool in electric hearing research. The model output was also compared to brainstem response data from the specific subject to assess the degree to which this model can predict brain stem data from a specific subject. Possible improvements to the model were also discussed. / Dissertation (MEng)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering / unrestricted

The goal of the current study was to develop a computational framework for modelling the coupled fluid-structure interaction problem of squeeze films often encountered in MEMS devices. Vibratory MEMS devices such as gyroscopes, RF switches, and 2D resonators often have a thin plate like structure vibrating transversely to a Fixed substrate, and are generally not perfectly vacuum packed. This results in a thin air film being trapped between the vibrating plate and the fixed substrate which behaves like a squeeze film offering both stiffness and damping to the vibrating plate. For accurate modelling of the squeeze film effect, one must account for the coupled fluid-structure interaction. The majority of prior works attempting to address the coupled problem either approximate the mode shape of the vibrating plate or resort to cumbersome iterative solution strategies to address the problem in an indirect way. In the current work, we discuss the development of a fully coupled finite element based numerical scheme to solve the 2D Reynolds equation coupled with the 3D plate elasticity equation in a single step. The squeeze film solver so developed has been implemented into a commercial FEA package NISA as part of its Micro-Systems module. Further, extending on a prior analytical work, the effect of variable ow boundaries for an all sides clamped plate on squeeze film parameters has been thoroughly investigated. The developed FEM based numerical scheme has been used to validate the results of the prior analytical study. The developed numerical scheme models the 2D Reynolds equation thus limiting the model to account for the effects of the fluid volume strictly confined between the structure and the substrate. To study the effect of surrounding fluid volume ANSYS FLOTRAN simulations have been performed by numerically solving the full 3D Navier Stokes equation in the extended fluid domain for the different flow boundary scenarios. Cut-off frequencies are established beyond which one can consider a 2D fluid domain without considerable loss of accuracy. First, a displacement based finite element formulation is presented for the 2D Reynolds equation coupled with the 3D elasticity equation. Both lower order 8 node and higher order 27 node 3D elements are developed. Only a single type of 3D element is used for modelling along with a 2D fluid layer represented by the \wet" face of the 3D structural domain. The results from our numerical model are compared with experimental data from literature for a MEMS cantilever. The results from the 27 node displacement based elements show good agreement with published experimental data. The results from the lower order 8 node displacement based elements however show huge errors even for relatively fine meshes due to locking issues in modelling high aspect ratio structures. This limits the implementation of the displacement based solver in commercial FE packages where the available mesh generators are generally restricted to lower order 3D elements. In order to overcome the limitations faced by lower order elements (primarily locking issues) in modelling high aspect ratio MEMS geometries, a coupled hybrid formulation is developed next. A thorough performance study is presented considering both the hybrid and displacement based elements for lower order 8 node and higher order 27 node ele- ments. The optimal element choice for modelling squeeze film geometries is determined based on the comparative studies. The effect of element aspect ratio for hybrid and displacement based elements are studied and the superiority of hybrid formulation over displacement based formulations is established for lower order 8 node elements. The coupled hybrid nite element formulation developed for lower order elements is implemented in the commercial FEA package NISA. The implementation scheme to integrate the developed coupled hybrid 8 node squeeze film solver into the commercial FEA package is discussed. The pre-integration analysis and subsequent requirement gaps are first investigated. Based on the gap analysis, certain GUI modifications are undertaken and parser programs are developed to re-format data according to NISA input requirements. Certain special features are included in the package to aid in post processing data analysis by MEMS designers such as \frequency sweep" and \node of interest" selection. As a case study for validation, we also present the modelling of a MEMS cantilever and show that the simulation results from our software are in good agreement with experimental data reported in the literature. Finally as a case study, an extension of a prior analytical work, which studies the effect of varying flow boundaries on squeeze film parameters, is discussed. Explanations are provided for the findings reported in the prior analytical work. The concept of using variation in flow boundaries as a frequency tuning tool is introduced. The analytical results are validated with the coupled numerical scheme discussed before, by considering imposed mode shape for an all sides clamped plate as prescribed displacement to the fluid domain. The simulated results are used to study the intricacies in squeeze film damping and stiffness variations with respect to spatial changes in the fluid flow boundary conditions. In particular, it has been shown that the boundary venting conditions can be used effectively to tune the dynamic response of a micromechanical structure over a fairly large range of frequencies and somewhat smaller range of squeeze film damping. Next, the effect of the surrounding fluid volume for various venting conditions is studied. ANSYS FLOTRAN is used to solve for the full 3D Navier Stokes equation over the extended fluid domain. Results from the extended domain study are used to determine cut-off frequencies beyond which one need not resort to an extended mesh study, and yet be within 5% accuracy of the full extended mesh model.

Die Präsentation stellt kurz die Grundlagen der Berechnung von Schraubenverbindungen in Anlehnung an die VDI-Richtlinie 2230 Teil 1 dar. Auch die vier FEM-Modellklassen, die die VDI 2230 Teil 2 (Entwurf) zur Berechnung von Mehrschraubenverbindungen vorschlägt, werden behandelt, und die in Creo Simulate vorhandenen Softwarefeatures zu deren Umsetzung vorgestellt. Es folgt eine Darstellung, was bei der Linearisierung von Schraubenverbindungen zur vereinfachten Berechnung zu beachten ist, und wieso bei der Berechnung im FEM-System dann nicht notwendigerweise eine Vorspannung benötigt wird. Ausführlich wird das neue Schraubenfeature in Creo Simulate betrachtet, das eine weitgehend automatisierte Modellierung und Berechnung von Standardverschraubungen erlaubt. Weitere Features, wie die neuen Vorspannelemente, werden erläutert, sowie auch die Grenzen der Software aufgezeigt. Abschließend werden zwei anspruchsvolle Anwendungsbeispiele vorgestellt: Eine zentrisch belastete Verschraubung mit Berücksichtigung von Elasto-Plastizität und einer komplexen Lasthistorie (Anziehen durch Anzugsmoment, Setzeffekte, Entfall des Torsionsmomentes durch das Anziehen, Betriebskraft) sowie eine exzentrisch belastete Verschraubung, die wegen eines relativ dünnen Flansches starke Biegezusatzbeanspruchungen erfährt. / The presentation shows the foundations of bolt analysis according to VDI-guideline 2230 part 1. In addition, the four FEM model classes proposed in VDI 2230 part 2 (draft) are described, as well as the features available in Creo Simulate to realize these model classes. Next, the presentation shows the requirements for linearizing bolted connections, and why in a FEM analysis with a linearized connection no preload is necessary. The new fastener feature introduced in Creo Simulate is explained in detail. This feature allows the automated modeling and analysis of bolted connections having standard geometry. Further software features, like pretension elements, as well as the current software limitations are shown. Finally, two advanced application examples are shown: A centrically loaded bolted connection taking into account elasto-plasticity and a complex load history (tightening torque, embedding, removal of tightening stress, operational load), and an eccentrically loaded flange connection, which is subjected to high additional bending loads because the flange is relatively thin.

Csaba CSEH Engine Connecting Rod Analysis Including Bolts Influence DW, ITE, 2008, 75 pp, 88 fig. The aim of my diploma work is a stress analysis in the material of a connecting rod during a stationary engine regime. Dynamic forces from the connecting rod‘s motion and the forces acting on the bolts are included in the calculations. The whole stress analysis is based on a FEM designed application on a model, that was created in a CAD system package according to the real component.

Dans un composite stratifié, les plis orientés à 0° par rapport à la direction du chargement pilotent souvent la rupture sous chargement de traction. Les fibres procurent l’essentiel de la rigidité et la résistance de ces plis. Dans ces travaux de thèse, le comportement en fatigue des plis à 0° est analysé dans des stratifiés unidirectionnels (UD) et multidirectionnels, au moyen d’essais de fatigue multi-instrumentés. Un protocole expérimental est mis en place pour éviter les ruptures prématurées typiques des essais sur UD. L’évolution en fatigue des ruptures de fibres est identifiée par leur émission acoustique. Les mécanismes de fatigue dominés par la rupture des fibres sont analysés par un modèle aux éléments finis développé à l’échelle des constituants. / Under quasi-static and fatigue tension loads, the failure of a carbon fibre reinforced polymer laminate (CFRP) is usually driven by 0° plies. Carbon fibres give most of the stiffness and strength of these plies. In this work, the fatigue behaviour of 0° plies inside unidirectional (UD) and multidirectional laminates is analysed via multi-instrumented tension-tension fatigue tests. A numerical and experimental study is addressed to perform fatigue tests without the typical premature failures of the UD laminates. The acoustic emissions technique is used to identify the evolution law of fibre breaks. A finite element model is developed at the microscale (fibres and matrix) to analyse the fibre-driven fatigue mechanisms.

Die Präsentation stellt kurz die Grundlagen der Berechnung von Schraubenverbindungen in Anlehnung an die VDI-Richtlinie 2230 Teil 1 dar. Auch die vier FEM-Modellklassen, die die VDI 2230 Teil 2 (Entwurf) zur Berechnung von Mehrschraubenverbindungen vorschlägt, werden behandelt, und die in Creo Simulate vorhandenen Softwarefeatures zu deren Umsetzung vorgestellt. Es folgt eine Darstellung, was bei der Linearisierung von Schraubenverbindungen zur vereinfachten Berechnung zu beachten ist, und wieso bei der Berechnung im FEM-System dann nicht notwendigerweise eine Vorspannung benötigt wird. Ausführlich wird das neue Schraubenfeature in Creo Simulate betrachtet, das eine weitgehend automatisierte Modellierung und Berechnung von Standardverschraubungen erlaubt. Weitere Features, wie die neuen Vorspannelemente, werden erläutert, sowie auch die Grenzen der Software aufgezeigt. Abschließend werden zwei anspruchsvolle Anwendungsbeispiele vorgestellt: Eine zentrisch belastete Verschraubung mit Berücksichtigung von Elasto-Plastizität und einer komplexen Lasthistorie (Anziehen durch Anzugsmoment, Setzeffekte, Entfall des Torsionsmomentes durch das Anziehen, Betriebskraft) sowie eine exzentrisch belastete Verschraubung, die wegen eines relativ dünnen Flansches starke Biegezusatzbeanspruchungen erfährt. / The presentation shows the foundations of bolt analysis according to VDI-guideline 2230 part 1. In addition, the four FEM model classes proposed in VDI 2230 part 2 (draft) are described, as well as the features available in Creo Simulate to realize these model classes. Next, the presentation shows the requirements for linearizing bolted connections, and why in a FEM analysis with a linearized connection no preload is necessary. The new fastener feature introduced in Creo Simulate is explained in detail. This feature allows the automated modeling and analysis of bolted connections having standard geometry. Further software features, like pretension elements, as well as the current software limitations are shown. Finally, two advanced application examples are shown: A centrically loaded bolted connection taking into account elasto-plasticity and a complex load history (tightening torque, embedding, removal of tightening stress, operational load), and an eccentrically loaded flange connection, which is subjected to high additional bending loads because the flange is relatively thin.

This work is focused on the stress-strain analysis of a cutting tool. At the beginning, the study of available literature and scientific articles relating the topic is carried out. The solution of stresses and strains in whole real system has been carried out based on the computational simulation using the finite element method (FEM). The work contains a detailed description of the creation of the computational model. Model of geometry of the system has been created in the SolidWorks program. Computational simulation including the solution was implemented in the ANSYS Workbench program as well as in the classical environment of ANSYS 12.0. This work includes the presentation of results and subsequent stress-strain analysis of the cutting tool. Last part of this work deals with the modal analysis and harmonic analysis of cutting tools made in classical environment of ANSYS program.