Squeeze film dampers are used in the high speed turbo machinery industry and aerospace industries as a means to reduce vibration amplitude, to provide damping, to improve dynamic stability of the rotor bearing system and to isolate structural components. The effects of cavitation included in previous studies were not effective. The effect of different design parameters were not studied thoroughly as experimental investigation of squeeze film dampers is very expensive. Few of them used numerical investigation but the methods they used are either time consuming or complicated. The present study investigated the feasibility of applying a steady state solver, which is computationally less expensive, for analyzing flow field inside the squeeze film dampers. The behavior of dynamic pressure profiles at different operating conditions, and the effect of a central groove on dynamic pressure profiles were also studied. Simulation results of a 3D case which is similar to the one experimentally studied by Delgado were used to establish if the moving reference frame (MRF) model in Fluent 12.1 can be used. A steady state solver in an absolute frame of reference was used to produce whirling motion of the rotor in this study. The inlet pressure of 31kpa and the whirling speed of 50 and 100Hz were used as boundary conditions. The mixture model with three percent dissolved air in lubricant is used to model multiphase flow. Singhal cavitation model is used to model cavitation. The simulations (50,000 iterations) were run until steady state solutions were reached. The results closely agreed with those obtained experimentally by San Andrés and Delgado. Numerical simulations of three-dimensional cases with an additional central groove on the squeeze film land were also performed to predict the effect of central groove on dynamic pressure profiles. Addition central groove reduces the pressures and forces generated by squeeze film damper.

Underground coal mine explosions pose a significant threat to infrastructure such as mine seals and refuge alternative chambers. After a mine seal failed in the Sago mine disaster, which took the life of 12 miners, design requirements were reexamined and improved. However, most research being completed on the analysis of mine structures during an explosive event focuses solely on peak pressure values, while ignoring the impact of pressure duration. This study investigates the impact pressure duration, waveform shape, and impulse have on structural displacement, while also exploring what pressures and duration can be expected during a mine explosion. Additionally, the use of high explosives to simulation conditions experienced during a mine explosion is examined. Results from this study are produced through experimental testing using a scaled shock tube and theoretical studies using finite element analysis.

No description available.

No description available.