scholarly journals Robust Topology Optimization of Truss-Like Space Structures

Author(s):  
Michael Hartisch ◽  
Christian Reintjes ◽  
Tobias Marx ◽  
Ulf Lorenz

AbstractDue to the additional design freedom and manufacturing possibilities of additive manufacturing compared to traditional manufacturing, topology optimization via mathematical optimization gained importance in the initial design of complex high-strength lattice structures. We consider robust topology optimization of truss-like space structures with multiple loading scenarios. A typical dimensioning method is to identify and examine a suspected worst-case scenario using experience and component-specific information and to incorporate a factor of safety to hedge against uncertainty. We present a quantified programming model that allows us to specify expected scenarios without having explicit knowledge about worst-case scenarios, as the resulting optimal structure must withstand all specified scenarios individually. This leads to less human misconduct, higher efficiency and, thus, to cost and time savings in the design process. We present three-dimensional space trusses with minimal volume that are stable for up to 100 loading scenarios. Additionally, the effect of demanding a symmetric structure and explicitly limiting the diameter of truss members in the model is discussed.

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Venini

An innovative approach to topology optimization of dynamic system is introduced that is based on the system transfer-function H∞-norm. As for the structure, the proposed strategy allows to determine the optimal material distribution that ensures the minimization of a suitable goal function, such as (an original definition of) the dynamic compliance. Load uncertainty is accounted for by means of a nonprobabilistic convex-set approach (Ben-Haim and Elishakoff, 1990, Convex Models of Uncertainty in Applied Mechanics, Elsevier Science, Amsterdam). At each iteration, the worst load is determined as the one that maximizes the current dynamic compliance so that the proposed strategy fits the so-called worst case scenario (WCS) approach. The overall approach consists of the repeated solution of the two steps (minimization of the dynamic compliance with respect to structural parameters and maximization of the dynamic compliance with respect to the acting load) until convergence is achieved. Results from representative numerical studies are eventually presented along with extensions to the proposed approach that are currently under development.


Author(s):  
Luis M. Serra ◽  
Miguel A. Lozano ◽  
Monica Carvalho

This paper details the calculation of the environmental loads associated with the construction of each piece of equipment (considering that the materials were not reused at the end of the equipment’s lifetime, which is the worst case scenario) and operation of a trigeneration system. The purpose of a trigeneration system is to meet the demands of a consumer center — in this case, a medium-sized hospital located in Zaragoza, Spain. The evaluation extended over a period of one year, considering previously specified energy service demands (electricity, heat - sanitary hot water and heating -, and cooling). The system interacted with the economic environment (market) through the purchase of natural gas and electricity from the grid, and also through the sale of autogenerated electricity to the grid, according to Spanish regulations. Therefore, the environmental loads regarding the operation of the system were associated with the consumption of natural gas and electricity purchased/sold from/to the grid. Technical information on each piece of equipment was obtained from catalogs and from consultation with manufacturers. Regarding natural gas, special care was taken to correctly identify the natural gas supplied to a user in Spain (it was considered that the gas comes from Algeria, transported in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) carriers, including pipeline transportation to the user and controlled burning). The electricity supplied by the Spanish electric grid was also properly specified and characterized. The environmental loads were calculated utilizing SimaPro, a specialized Life Cycle Assessment tool, and then incorporated into a linear programming model, solved by LINGO optimization software. Environmental criteria were used to obtain the optimal configuration and operation of the system simultaneously.


2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonia Savelli ◽  
Susan Joslyn ◽  
Limor Nadav-Greenberg ◽  
Queena Chen

Author(s):  
D. V. Vaniukova ◽  
◽  
P. A. Kutsenkov ◽  

The research expedition of the Institute of Oriental studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences has been working in Mali since 2015. Since 2017, it has been attended by employees of the State Museum of the East. The task of the expedition is to study the transformation of traditional Dogon culture in the context of globalization, as well as to collect ethnographic information (life, customs, features of the traditional social and political structure); to collect oral historical legends; to study the history, existence, and transformation of artistic tradition in the villages of the Dogon Country in modern conditions; collecting items of Ethnography and art to add to the collection of the African collection of the. Peter the Great Museum (Kunstkamera, Saint Petersburg) and the State Museum of Oriental Arts (Moscow). The plan of the expedition in January 2020 included additional items, namely, the study of the functioning of the antique market in Mali (the “path” of things from villages to cities, which is important for attributing works of traditional art). The geography of our research was significantly expanded to the regions of Sikasso and Koulikoro in Mali, as well as to the city of Bobo-Dioulasso and its surroundings in Burkina Faso, which is related to the study of migrations to the Bandiagara Highlands. In addition, the plan of the expedition included organization of a photo exhibition in the Museum of the village of Endé and some educational projects. Unfortunately, after the mass murder in March 2019 in the village of Ogossogou-Pel, where more than one hundred and seventy people were killed, events in the Dogon Country began to develop in the worst-case scenario: The incessant provocations after that revived the old feud between the Pel (Fulbe) pastoralists and the Dogon farmers. So far, this hostility and mutual distrust has not yet developed into a full-scale ethnic conflict, but, unfortunately, such a development now seems quite likely.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Abdelmoaty ◽  
Wessam Mesbah ◽  
Mohammad A. M. Abdel-Aal ◽  
Ali T. Alawami

In the recent electricity market framework, the profit of the generation companies depends on the decision of the operator on the schedule of its units, the energy price, and the optimal bidding strategies. Due to the expanded integration of uncertain renewable generators which is highly intermittent such as wind plants, the coordination with other facilities to mitigate the risks of imbalances is mandatory. Accordingly, coordination of wind generators with the evolutionary Electric Vehicles (EVs) is expected to boost the performance of the grid. In this paper, we propose a robust optimization approach for the coordination between the wind-thermal generators and the EVs in a virtual<br>power plant (VPP) environment. The objective of maximizing the profit of the VPP Operator (VPPO) is studied. The optimal bidding strategy of the VPPO in the day-ahead market under uncertainties of wind power, energy<br>prices, imbalance prices, and demand is obtained for the worst case scenario. A case study is conducted to assess the e?effectiveness of the proposed model in terms of the VPPO's profit. A comparison between the proposed model and the scenario-based optimization was introduced. Our results confirmed that, although the conservative behavior of the worst-case robust optimization model, it helps the decision maker from the fluctuations of the uncertain parameters involved in the production and bidding processes. In addition, robust optimization is a more tractable problem and does not suffer from<br>the high computation burden associated with scenario-based stochastic programming. This makes it more practical for real-life scenarios.<br>


Catalysts ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 491
Author(s):  
Alina E. Kozhukhova ◽  
Stephanus P. du Preez ◽  
Aleksander A. Malakhov ◽  
Dmitri G. Bessarabov

In this study, a Pt/anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) catalyst was prepared by the anodization of an Al alloy (Al6082, 97.5% Al), followed by the incorporation of Pt via an incipient wet impregnation method. Then, the Pt/AAO catalyst was evaluated for autocatalytic hydrogen recombination. The Pt/AAO catalyst’s morphological characteristics were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The average Pt particle size was determined to be 3.0 ± 0.6 nm. This Pt/AAO catalyst was tested for the combustion of lean hydrogen (0.5–4 vol% H2 in the air) in a recombiner section testing station. The thermal distribution throughout the catalytic surface was investigated at 3 vol% hydrogen (H2) using an infrared camera. The Al/AAO system had a high thermal conductivity, which prevents the formation of hotspots (areas where localized surface temperature is higher than an average temperature across the entire catalyst surface). In turn, the Pt stability was enhanced during catalytic hydrogen combustion (CHC). A temperature gradient over 70 mm of the Pt/AAO catalyst was 23 °C and 42 °C for catalysts with uniform and nonuniform (worst-case scenario) Pt distributions. The commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code STAR-CCM+ was used to compare the experimentally observed and numerically simulated thermal distribution of the Pt/AAO catalyst. The effect of the initial H2 volume fraction on the combustion temperature and conversion of H2 was investigated. The activation energy for CHC on the Pt/AAO catalyst was 19.2 kJ/mol. Prolonged CHC was performed to assess the durability (reactive metal stability and catalytic activity) of the Pt/AAO catalyst. A stable combustion temperature of 162.8 ± 8.0 °C was maintained over 530 h of CHC. To confirm that Pt aggregation was avoided, the Pt particle size and distribution were determined by TEM before and after prolonged CHC.


Author(s):  
Jincheng Qin ◽  
Hiroshi Isakari ◽  
Kouichi Taji ◽  
Toru Takahashi ◽  
Toshiro Matsumoto

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