Tuesday, October 6, 2009

FRP Panelized Rearing Tank FEA

Current Status: Complete


Von Mises Skin Stresses

Von Mises Core Stresses
Global Displacement - Amplified

Global Displacement

Finalisation of the Mesh and about to Begin Boundary Conditions / Loading


Below is the addition of the mooring ring flanges on the global meshed model.



A preliminary report was prepared by myself on behalf of ABS Technology for the Middle Bay Sustainable Aquaculture Institute (MBSAI). This report precedes the final report and fabrication of the 30m rearing tank and the scenario investigated was in accordance with the Worley Parsons Westmar Report. Using Patran / Nastran Shell Elements, it was possible to generate a quality mesh.

The composite nature of laminates used as a primary structural material for the tank necessitated the use of 2D Shell elements. Therefore, the mid-surfaces were extracted from the solid CAD model provided and the pump ducts were removed from the geometry.


The use of the Shell Element is appropriate in this application as the various layers of the laminate can be characterized. It is also a good approximation as the thicknesses of the laminates are small relative to the general size of the individual components. Consequently, by selecting a Shell Element in Patran / Nastran, it was possible to model each layers of the laminates accurately.





For the purpose of this static analysis, an amalgam of loads was considered including South East winds of 31.5m/s, a current of 1.1m/s, wind load on handrails, wind on nets (Jump Net, Outer Walkway Nets, Bird Lid Net). Also taken into account were the effects of buoyancy from the multiple bodies constituting the tank assembly. Finally, mooring loads and a dummy load applied to the tank drain were also prescribed to the model.

Since water level inside the tank is quite close to the outside water level, the hydrostatic pressure induced on the various bodies is fairly small. Under steady state conditions, the buoyant equilibrium is reached when the water level inside the tank reaches approximately 7.6m. The head experienced by the walls and the bottom floor under this condition is solely the differential level between the inside and outside water level. Consequently, a 1’ head was assumed present at all times inside the tank.

Component

Location

Type of Load

(Wind S-E and Current N-W)

Magnitude

Direction

Deck Platform 1-24

Upper Surface Corners

Moment ^ to S-E Direction

200N·m

^ to S-E

Deck Platform 1-24

Upper Surface Corners

Force

187,5N

S-E

Deck Platform 1-24

Inner Upper Surface Corners

Moment ^ to S-E Direction

2222 N·m

^ to S-E

Deck Platform 1-24

Inner Upper Surface Corners

Force

2083N

S-E

Deck Platform 8-20

Freeboard

(Outter vertical Wall)

Distributed Force on all Surfaces

63740N

S-E

Sidewall 1-7, 21-24

Outer Wall

Distributed Force on all 12 Surfaces

150000N

N-W

Sidewall 1-24

Outer Wall

Buoyancy Force on outer Shell

442N

Up

Sidewall 1-24

Inner Wall

Hydrostatic Head

2.98 Pa

Normal

Bottom Floor 1-24

Bottom Surface

Buoyancy Force on all 24 surfaces

228N

N-W

Bottom Floor 1-24

Central Drain

Suction Pump

10000N

Down

Bottom Floor 1-24

Bottom Surface

Hydrostatic Head

2.98Pa

Normal



Monday, October 5, 2009

Thermo-Fluid Renewables and Residential Heating

The new popularity of sustainablility has led to the development of interesting and promising technologies. Energy can now be harvested more efficiently than ever before with systems such as tidal, solar, geothermal, wind, hydroelectric and so on.


Over recent years, Solar and Geothermal systems have been utilized to complement household heating systems. In Europe, these systems have been implemented successfully at different scales; from domestic use to large commercial applications. Solar and geothermal systems typically operate separately to perform some heating or cooling functions that are then fed into a conventional heating system.


The objective of this project was to design a geothermal and solar heating system that could be integrated into an existing household or replace the existing heating systems. The focus of the project was also to develop a tool embedded within RETScreen, to assess a given building’s heating and cooling requirements and facilitate its design. The project included a closed-loop solar system for heating hot water and closed-loop geothermal system for household heating.


Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Renewable Energy Course Development

Current Status:

28 Sept 2009 - Proposal delivered to the administrative council of CEGEP de Limoilou by Therese Lafleur

14 Sept 2009 - Lettre of introduction delivered to Therese Lafleur

Chromag Finite Element Analysis


Current Status:

22 Dec 2009 - Preliminary Results, Asymmetric Static Charge Load Case




8 Dec 2009 - Agreement on Box & Cutblock Stem and Fubars Analysis

28 Sept 2009 - Letter of introduction / credentials delivered to Ian Ritz

27 Sept 2009 - Reception of inquiry regarding potential FEA collaboration

Board Press


Primary Design Case:

  • Jig Lenght: 215cm
  • Jig Width: 304.8mm
  • Ski Lenght Capability:170cm, 178cm, 187cm
  • Camber: 1.5 Degree
  • Full Width Bladder


Current Status


Secondary Design Case:

  • Split Board Configuration
  • Lenght Capability:148 - 158cm / 4cm increments.
Ternary Design Case:

  • Split Board Configuration
  • Custom Mold

Bicycle Life Cycle Analysis

Current Status:

Awaiting bill of material to complete LCIA

Project Timeline:
Phase 1 - Statement of Objectives
Phase 2 - Life Cycle Inventory
Phase 3 - Life Cycle Impact Assessment
Phase 4 - Interpretation

Steady Cam Project

Under the Wighton Product Development Fund, the Camera Tracking System will now be implemented through an awarded budget of 6000$. Revision 2 is currently being modeled in order to correct functional issues associated with Revision 1.

Modelisation of revision 1 of the steady cam trolley was completed featuring:

  • Suspension assembly counteracting dominant natural frequency of wires
  • Elevation assembly allowing for vertical travel
  • Gimbal assembly for gyroscopic image stabilisation