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1 – 10 of 161Yang Liu, Yuefan Hu, Dongxiang Xie, Yongjie Zhang and Jianqiang Chen
The paper aims to propose a generation approach for unstructured surface mesh to speed up mesh generation.
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to propose a generation approach for unstructured surface mesh to speed up mesh generation.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper proposes a lightweight interactive generation approach for unstructured surface mesh and presents several key technologies to support this approach.
Findings
The experimental results show that the proposed approach is feasible for unstructured meshes and it can accelerate the mesh generation process.
Research limitations/implications
More geometric defects should be covered, and more convenient and efficient interactive means need to be provided.
Practical implications
The proposed approach and key technologies are implemented in NNW-GridStar.UG, which is the unstructured version of the mesh generation software of National Numerical Windtunnel (NNW).
Originality/value
This paper proposes a lightweight interactive approach for unstructured surface mesh generation, which can speed up mesh generation.
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This study aims to create and deform 3D garment apparel in an immersive virtual reality using head-mounted display and controllers. For this, adequate design methods for immersive…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to create and deform 3D garment apparel in an immersive virtual reality using head-mounted display and controllers. For this, adequate design methods for immersive virtual environment were explored and developed in order to confirm the suitability of the developed methods.
Design/methodology/approach
An immersive virtual environment was prepared using Unreal Engine (UE) version 5.1 and Meta Human Lexi to create template garment that corresponds to the sizes of a human model. Dual quaternion skinning was adopted for pose deformation. For size deformation, patches were constructed with the measurement lines defined on Lexi. This patch-based approach was adopted not only for automatic generation but also for flat pattern projection of the template garment.
Findings
The research found that garment-making process can be brought into immersive virtual reality. Free use of one's hands and body made apparel deformation in an immersive environment conform with the real garment draping process.
Originality/value
Simulating garment making in an immersive virtual reality has not previously been explored in detail. This research discovered, implemented and tested methods that best suit the environment where head-mounted display and controllers are essential in detail.
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Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to describe a numerical simulation method of ice accretion on BO105 helicopter blades for predicting the effects of trailing edge flap deflection on ice accretion.
Design/methodology/approach
A numerical simulation method of ice accretion is established based on Myers model. Next, the shape and location of ice accretion of NACA0012 airfoil are calculated, and a comparison between calculated results and experimental data is made to validate the method. This method is used to investigate the effect of trailing edge flap deflection on ice accretion of a rotor blade.
Findings
The numerical method is feasible and effective to study the ice accretion on helicopter rotor blades. The downward deflection of the trailing edge flap affects the shape of the ice.
Practical implications
This method can be further used to predict the ice accretion in actual flights of the helicopters with multielement airfoils.
Originality/value
The numerical simulation method here can lay a foundation of the research about helicopter flight performance in icing condition through predicting the shape and location of ice accretion on rotor blades.
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Kou Takenouchi, Shingo Hiruma, Takeshi Mifune and Tetsuji Matsuo
The purpose of this study is to apply the topology and parameter optimization (TPO) to interior permanent magnet (IPM) motors to obtain the optimized shape with higher torque…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to apply the topology and parameter optimization (TPO) to interior permanent magnet (IPM) motors to obtain the optimized shape with higher torque, lower ripple and sufficient mechanical strength.
Design/methodology/approach
The constraints regarding the maximum stress, connectivity and mesh quality were considered to achieve not only high electrical performance but also high mechanical strength. To enhance the accuracy of the finite element analysis of the elastic analysis, this paper used body-fitted mesh adaptation technique to avoid the stress concentration.
Findings
The proposed method in this study resulted in feasible shapes with sufficiently high strength compared to previous studies. It is also shown that TPO yielded IPM motors with higher torque compared to topology optimization (TO) with fixed parameters.
Practical implications
Different from the existing studies on topology optimization of IPM motors, the mechanical strength is even considered by evaluating the stress values. Therefore, in the practical phase, geometries can be designed that are less likely to be damaged due to deformation, even in the high-speed rotation range.
Originality/value
This paper performed TO and parameter optimization (PO) simultaneously, considering not only the electrical performance but also the mechanical strength. Furthermore, the mechanical strength was evaluated more precisely by devising the elastic analysis conditions and mesh generation.
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Elie Hachem, Abhijeet Vishwasrao, Maxime Renault, Jonathan Viquerat and P. Meliga
The premise of this research is that the coupling of reinforcement learning algorithms and computational dynamics can be used to design efficient control strategies and to improve…
Abstract
Purpose
The premise of this research is that the coupling of reinforcement learning algorithms and computational dynamics can be used to design efficient control strategies and to improve the cooling of hot components by quenching, a process that is classically carried out based on professional experience and trial-error methods. Feasibility and relevance are assessed on various 2-D numerical experiments involving boiling problems simulated by a phase change model. The purpose of this study is then to integrate reinforcement learning with boiling modeling involving phase change to optimize the cooling process during quenching.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed approach couples two state-of-the-art in-house models: a single-step proximal policy optimization (PPO) deep reinforcement learning (DRL) algorithm (for data-driven selection of control parameters) and an in-house stabilized finite elements environment combining variational multi-scale (VMS) modeling of the governing equations, immerse volume method and multi-component anisotropic mesh adaptation (to compute the numerical reward used by the DRL agent to learn), that simulates boiling after a phase change model formulated after pseudo-compressible Navier–Stokes and heat equations.
Findings
Relevance of the proposed methodology is illustrated by controlling natural convection in a closed cavity with aspect ratio 4:1, for which DRL alleviates the flow-induced enhancement of heat transfer by approximately 20%. Regarding quenching applications, the DRL algorithm finds optimal insertion angles that adequately homogenize the temperature distribution in both simple and complex 2-D workpiece geometries, and improve over simpler trial-and-error strategies classically used in the quenching industry.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this constitutes the first attempt to achieve DRL-based control of complex heat and mass transfer processes involving boiling. The obtained results have important implications for the quenching cooling flows widely used to achieve the desired microstructure and material properties of steel, and for which differential cooling in various zones of the quenched component will yield irregular residual stresses that can affect the serviceability of critical machinery in sensitive industries.
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This paper aims to comprehensively explore techniques for reducing solution time in finite element analysis (FEA), addressing the critical need for expediting computations to…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to comprehensively explore techniques for reducing solution time in finite element analysis (FEA), addressing the critical need for expediting computations to facilitate agile design exploration within project timelines.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing from a wide array of literature sources, this paper synthesizes and analyzes various methodologies used to enhance the efficiency of FEA. Techniques are scrutinized in terms of their applicability, effectiveness and potential limitations.
Findings
The review signifies application of linear assumptions across multiple facets of analysis and delves into matrix order reduction strategies, geometry simplification, symmetry exploitation, submodeling and mesh attribute control. It reveals how these techniques can effectively reduce computational burdens while maintaining acceptable levels of accuracy.
Research limitations/implications
While this review provides a comprehensive overview of existing efficiency enhancement techniques in FEA, it acknowledges inherent limitations of any synthesis-based study. Future research should focus on refining these methodologies.
Practical implications
The insights provided in this paper offer practical guidance for structural engineers and researchers seeking to optimize FEA workflows. By implementing these techniques, practitioners can expedite solution times and enhance their ability to explore design alternatives efficiently ultimately leading to cost savings and more robust structures.
Originality/value
This review contributes to the existing literature by offering a comprehensive synthesis of efficiency enhancement techniques in FEA. By highlighting the originality and value of each discussed methodology, this paper provides a roadmap for future research and practical implementation in the field of structural engineering.
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Mohamed Hamed Zakaria and Ali Basha
The design of cantilever pile walls (CPWs) presents several common challenges. These challenges include soil variability, groundwater conditions, complex loading conditions…
Abstract
Purpose
The design of cantilever pile walls (CPWs) presents several common challenges. These challenges include soil variability, groundwater conditions, complex loading conditions, construction considerations, structural integrity, uncertainties in design parameters and construction and monitoring costs. Accordingly, this paper is to provide a detailed literature review on the design criteria of CPWs, specifically in cohesionless soil. This study aims to present a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge in this area.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses a literature review approach to gather information on the design criteria of CPWs in cohesionless soil. It covers various aspects such as excavation support systems (ESSs), deformation behavior, design criteria, lateral earth pressure calculation theories, load distribution methods and conventional design approaches.
Findings
The review identifies and discusses common challenges associated with the design of CPWs in cohesionless soil. It highlights the uncertainties in determining load distribution and the potential for excessive wall deformations. The paper presents various approaches and methodologies proposed by researchers to address these challenges.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to the field of geotechnical engineering by providing a valuable resource for geotechnical engineers and researchers involved in the design and analysis of CPWs in cohesionless soil. It offers insights into the design criteria, challenges and potential solutions specific to CPWs in cohesionless soil, filling a gap in the existing knowledge base. The paper draws attention to the limitations of existing analytical methods that neglect the serviceability limit state and assume rigid plastic soil behavior, highlighting the need for improved design approaches in this context.
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Jiahao Jiang, Jinliang Liu, Shuolei Cao, Sheng Cao, Rui Dong and Yusen Wu
The purpose of this study is to use the corrected stress field theory to derive the shear capacity of geopolymer concrete beams (GPC) and consider the shear-span ratio as a major…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to use the corrected stress field theory to derive the shear capacity of geopolymer concrete beams (GPC) and consider the shear-span ratio as a major factor affecting the shear capacity. This research aims to provide guidance for studying the shear capacity of GPC and to observe how the failure modes of beams change with the variation of the shear-span ratio, thereby discovering underlying patterns.
Design/methodology/approach
Three test beams with shear span ratios of 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 are investigated in this paper. For GPC beams with shear-span ratios of 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5, ultimate capacities are 337kN, 235kN and 195kN, respectively. Transitioning from 1.5 to 2.0 results in a 30% decrease in capacity, a reduction of 102kN. Moving from 2.0 to 2.5 sees a 17% decrease, with a loss of 40KN in capacity. A shear capacity formula, derived from modified compression field theory and considering concrete shear strength, stirrups and aggregate interlocking force, was validated through finite element modeling. Additionally, models with shear ratios of 1 and 3 were created to observe crack propagation patterns.
Findings
For GPC beams with shear-span ratios of 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5, ultimate capacities of 337KN, 235KN and 195KN are achieved, respectively. A reduction in capacity of 102KN occurs when transitioning from 1.5 to 2.0 and a decrease of 40KN is observed when moving from 2.0 to 2.5. The average test-to-theory ratio, at 1.015 with a variance of 0.001, demonstrates strong agreement. ABAQUS models beams with ratios ranging from 1.0 to 3.0, revealing crack trends indicative of reduced crack angles with higher ratios. The failure mode observed in the models aligns with experimental results.
Originality/value
This article provides a reference for the shear bearing capacity formula of geopolymer reinforced concrete (GRC) beams, addressing the limited research in this area. Additionally, an exponential model incorporating the shear-span ratio as a variable was employed to calculate the shear capacity, based on previous studies. Moreover, the analysis of shear capacity results integrated literature from prior research. By fitting previous experimental data to the proposed formula, the accuracy of this study's derived formula was further validated, with theoretical values aligning well with experimental results. Additionally, guidance is offered for utilizing ABAQUS in simulating the failure process of GRC beams.
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Xiangyun Li, Liuxian Zhu, Shuaitao Fan, Yingying Wei, Daijian Wu and Shan Gong
While performance demands in the natural world are varied, graded lattice structures reveal distinctive mechanical properties with tremendous engineering application potential…
Abstract
Purpose
While performance demands in the natural world are varied, graded lattice structures reveal distinctive mechanical properties with tremendous engineering application potential. For biomechanical functions where mechanical qualities are required from supporting under external loading and permeability is crucial which affects bone tissue engineering, the geometric design in lattice structure for bone scaffolds in loading-bearing applications is necessary. However, when tweaking structural traits, these two factors frequently clash. For graded lattice structures, this study aims to develop a design-optimization strategy to attain improved attributes across different domains.
Design/methodology/approach
To handle diverse stress states, parametric modeling is used to produce strut-based lattice structures with spatially varied densities. The tailored initial gradients in lattice structure are subject to automatic property evaluation procedure that hinges on finite element method and computational fluid dynamics simulations. The geometric parameters of lattice structures with numerous objectives are then optimized using an iterative optimization process based on a non-dominated genetic algorithm.
Findings
The initial stress-based design of graded lattice structure with spatially variable densities is generated based on the stress conditions. The results from subsequent dual-objective optimization show a series of topologies with gradually improved trade-offs between mechanical properties and permeability.
Originality/value
In this study, a novel structural design-optimization methodology is proposed for mathematically optimizing strut-based graded lattice structures to achieve enhanced performance in multiple domains.
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Keywords
Francisco Sánchez-Moreno, David MacManus, Fernando Tejero and Christopher Sheaf
Aerodynamic shape optimisation is a complex problem usually governed by transonic non-linear aerodynamics, a high dimensional design space and high computational cost…
Abstract
Purpose
Aerodynamic shape optimisation is a complex problem usually governed by transonic non-linear aerodynamics, a high dimensional design space and high computational cost. Consequently, the use of a numerical simulation approach can become prohibitive for some applications. This paper aims to propose a computationally efficient multi-fidelity method for the optimisation of two-dimensional axisymmetric aero-engine nacelles.
Design/methodology/approach
The nacelle optimisation approach combines a gradient-free algorithm with a multi-fidelity surrogate model. Machine learning based on artificial neural networks (ANN) is used as the modelling technique because of its ability to handle non-linear behaviour. The multi-fidelity method combines Reynolds-averaged Navier Stokes and Euler CFD calculations as high- and low-fidelity, respectively.
Findings
Ratios of low- and high-fidelity training samples to degrees of freedom of nLF/nDOFs = 50 and nHF/nDOFs = 12.5 provided a surrogate model with a root mean squared error less than 5% and a similar convergence to the optimal design space when compared with the equivalent CFD-in-the-loop optimisation. Similar nacelle geometries and aerodynamic flow topologies were obtained for down-selected designs with a reduction of 92% in the computational cost. This highlights the potential benefits of this multi-fidelity approach for aerodynamic optimisation within a preliminary design stage.
Originality/value
The application of a multi-fidelity technique based on ANN to the aerodynamic shape optimisation problem of isolated nacelles is the key novelty of this work. The multi-fidelity aspect of the method advances current practices based on single-fidelity surrogate models and offers further reductions in computational cost to meet industrial design timescales. Additionally, guidelines in terms of low- and high-fidelity sample sizes relative to the number of design variables have been established.
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