Thesis (MScEng (Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / Although mass minimisation is an important application within structural
optimisation, other applications include: (1) concept generation, (2) concept
evaluation, (3) design for structural feasibility and (4) data matching. These
applications, except data matching, are discussed and illustrated on a prototype
design of the Karoo Array Telescope (KAT) antenna. The KAT passed through
the design process and a full scale prototype was built, but was found to be too
expensive. A detailed finite element model of the finalised design was considered
as a test bed for reducing costs.
Size-, shape- and topology optimisation are applied to three KAT components,
while considering wind, temperature and gravity loads. Structural- and nonstructural
constraints are introduced. Coupling of the structural optimisation
code with an external analysis program to include non-structural responses and
the parallelisation of the sensitivity calculations are presented.
It is shown that if a finite element model is available, it is generally possible
to apply structural optimisation to improve an existing design. A reduction of
2673 kg steel was accomplished for the existing KAT components. The total cost
saving for the project will be significant, when considering that a large amount
of antennas will be manufactured.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/2727 |
| Date | 03 1900 |
| Creators | Joubert, N. J. D. |
| Contributors | Venter, G., University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | University of Stellenbosch |
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