Accuracy evaluation of three-dimensional FE analysis based on nonconforming voxel element

Author(s):  
Takahiro Sato ◽  
Kota Watanabe ◽  
Hajime Igarashi

Purpose – Three-dimensional (3D) mesh generation for shape optimizations needs long computational time. This makes it difficult to perform 3D shape optimizations. The purpose of this paper is to present a new meshing method with light computational cost for 3D shape optimizations. Design/methodology/approach – This paper presents a new meshing method on the basis of nonconforming voxel finite element method. The 3D mesh generation is performed with light computational cost keeping the computational accuracy. Findings – It is shown that the computational cost for 3D mesh generation can be reduced without deteriorating numerical accuracy in the FE analysis. It is reported the performance of the present method. Originality/value – The validity of the nonconforming voxel elements is tested to apply it to the optimization of 3D optimizations.

Author(s):  
Satyavir Singh ◽  
Mohammad Abid Bazaz ◽  
Shahkar Ahmad Nahvi

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the applicability of the Discrete Empirical Interpolation method (DEIM) for simulating the swing dynamics of benchmark power system problems. The authors demonstrate that considerable savings in computational time and resources are obtained using this methodology. Another purpose is to apply a recently developed modified DEIM strategy with a reduced on-line computational burden on this problem. Design/methodology/approach On-line computational cost of the power system dynamics problem is reduced by using DEIM, which reduces the complexity of the evaluation of the nonlinear function in the reduced model to a cost proportional to the number of reduced modes. The on-line computational cost is reduced by using an approximate snap-shot ensemble to construct the reduced basis. Findings Considerable savings in computational resources and time are obtained when DEIM is used for simulating swing dynamics. The on-line cost implications of DEIM are also reduced considerably by using approximate snapshots to construct the reduced basis. Originality/value Applicability of DEIM (with and without approximate ensemble) to a large-scale power system dynamics problem is demonstrated for the first time.


Author(s):  
Marco Baldan ◽  
Alexander Nikanorov ◽  
Bernard Nacke

Purpose Reliable modeling of induction hardening requires a multi-physical approach, which makes it time-consuming. In designing an induction hardening system, combining such model with an optimization technique allows managing a high number of design variables. However, this could lead to a tremendous overall computational cost. This paper aims to reduce the computational time of an optimal design problem by making use of multi-fidelity modeling and parallel computing. Design/methodology/approach In the multi-fidelity framework, the “high-fidelity” model couples the electromagnetic, thermal and metallurgical fields. It predicts the phase transformations during both the heating and cooling stages. The “low-fidelity” model is instead limited to the heating step. Its inaccuracy is counterbalanced by its cheapness, which makes it suitable for exploring the design space in optimization. Then, the use of co-Kriging allows merging information from different fidelity models and predicting good design candidates. Field evaluations of both models occur in parallel. Findings In the design of an induction heating system, the synergy between the “high-fidelity” and “low-fidelity” model, together with use of surrogates and parallel computing could reduce up to one order of magnitude the overall computational cost. Practical implications On one hand, multi-physical modeling of induction hardening implies a better understanding of the process, resulting in further potential process improvements. On the other hand, the optimization technique could be applied to many other computationally intensive real-life problems. Originality/value This paper highlights how parallel multi-fidelity optimization could be used in designing an induction hardening system.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 1663-1682
Author(s):  
Jianming Zhang ◽  
Chuanming Ju ◽  
Baotao Chi

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a fast algorithm for the adaptive discretization of three-dimensional parametric curves. Design/methodology/approach The proposed algorithm computes the parametric increments of all segments to obtain the parametric coordinates of all discrete nodes. This process is recursively applied until the optimal discretization of curves is obtained. The parametric increment of a segment is inversely proportional to the number of sub-segments, which can be subdivided, and the sum of parametric increments of all segments is constant. Thus, a new expression for parametric increment of a segment can be obtained. In addition, the number of sub-segments, which a segment can be subdivided is calculated approximately, thus avoiding Gaussian integration. Findings The proposed method can use less CPU time to perform the optimal discretization of three-dimensional curves. The results of curves discretization can also meet requirements for mesh generation used in the preprocessing of numerical simulation. Originality/value Several numerical examples presented have verified the robustness and efficiency of the proposed algorithm. Compared with the conventional algorithm, the more complex the model, the more time the algorithm saves in the process of curve discretization.


2004 ◽  
Vol 126 (2) ◽  
pp. 268-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Boncinelli ◽  
Filippo Rubechini ◽  
Andrea Arnone ◽  
Massimiliano Cecconi ◽  
Carlo Cortese

A numerical model was included in a three-dimensional viscous solver to account for real gas effects in the compressible Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations. The behavior of real gases is reproduced by using gas property tables. The method consists of a local fitting of gas data to provide the thermodynamic property required by the solver in each solution step. This approach presents several characteristics which make it attractive as a design tool for industrial applications. First of all, the implementation of the method in the solver is simple and straightforward, since it does not require relevant changes in the solver structure. Moreover, it is based on a low-computational-cost algorithm, which prevents a considerable increase in the overall computational time. Finally, the approach is completely general, since it allows one to handle any type of gas, gas mixture or steam over a wide operative range. In this work a detailed description of the model is provided. In addition, some examples are presented in which the model is applied to the thermo-fluid-dynamic analysis of industrial turbomachines.


2017 ◽  
Vol 89 (4) ◽  
pp. 609-619 ◽  
Author(s):  
Witold Artur Klimczyk ◽  
Zdobyslaw Jan Goraj

Purpose This paper aims to address the issue of designing aerodynamically robust empennage. Aircraft design optimization often narrowed to analysis of cruise conditions does not take into account other flight phases (manoeuvres). These, especially in unmanned air vehicle sector, can be significant part of the whole flight. Empennage is a part of the aircraft, with crucial function for manoeuvres. It is important to consider robustness for highest performance. Design/methodology/approach Methodology for robust wing design is presented. Surrogate modelling using kriging is used to reduce the optimization cost for high-fidelity aerodynamic calculations. Analysis of varying flight conditions, angle of attack, is made to assess robustness of design for particular mission. Two cases are compared: global optimization of 11 parameters and optimization divided into two consecutive sub-optimizations. Findings Surrogate modelling proves its usefulness for cutting computational time. Optimum design found by splitting problem into sub-optimizations finds better design at lower computational cost. Practical implications It is demonstrated, how surrogate modelling can be used for analysis of robustness, and why it is important to consider it. Intuitive split of wing design into airfoil and planform sub-optimizations brings promising savings in the optimization cost. Originality/value Methodology presented in this paper can be used in various optimization problems, especially those involving expensive computations and requiring top quality design.


2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 631-658 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mica Grujicic ◽  
Jennifer Snipes ◽  
S. Ramaswami ◽  
Fadi Abu-Farha

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose a computational approach in order to help establish the effect of various self-piercing rivet (SPR) process and material parameters on the quality and the mechanical performance of the resulting SPR joints. Design/methodology/approach – Toward that end, a sequence of three distinct computational analyses is developed. These analyses include: (a) finite-element modeling and simulations of the SPR process; (b) determination of the mechanical properties of the resulting SPR joints through the use of three-dimensional, continuum finite-element-based numerical simulations of various mechanical tests performed on the SPR joints; and (c) determination, parameterization and validation of the constitutive relations for the simplified SPR connectors, using the results obtained in (b) and the available experimental results. The availability of such connectors is mandatory in large-scale computational analyses of whole-vehicle crash or even in simulations of vehicle component manufacturing, e.g. car-body electro-coat paint-baking process. In such simulations, explicit three-dimensional representation of all SPR joints is associated with a prohibitive computational cost. Findings – It is found that the approach developed in the present work can be used, within an engineering optimization procedure, to adjust the SPR process and material parameters (design variables) in order to obtain a desired combination of the SPR-joint mechanical properties (objective function). Originality/value – To the authors’ knowledge, the present work is the first public-domain report of the comprehensive modeling and simulations including: self-piercing process; virtual mechanical testing of the SPR joints; and derivation of the constitutive relations for the SPR connector elements.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamel Ettaieb ◽  
Sylvain Lavernhe ◽  
Christophe Tournier

Purpose This paper aims to propose an analytical thermal three-dimensional model that allows an efficient evaluation of the thermal effect of the laser-scanning path. During manufacturing by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), the laser-scanning path influences the thermo-mechanical behavior of parts. Therefore, it is necessary to validate the path generation considering the thermal behavior induced by this process to improve the quality of parts. Design/methodology/approach The proposed model, based on the effect of successive thermal flashes along the scanning path, is calibrated and validated by comparison with thermal results obtained by FEM software and experimental measurements. A numerical investigation is performed to compare different scanning path strategies on the Ti6Al4V material with different stimulation parameters. Findings The simulation results confirm the effectiveness of the approach to simulate the thermal field to validate the scanning strategy. It suggests a change in the scale of simulation thanks to high-performance computing resources. Originality/value The flash-based approach is designed to ensure the quality of the simulated thermal field while minimizing the computational cost.


Author(s):  
Toshihito Shimotani ◽  
Yuki Sato ◽  
Hajime Igarashi

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose a fast synthesis method of the equivalent circuits of electromagnetic devices using model order reduction. Finite element method (FEM) has been widely used to design electromagnetic devices. For FE analysis of these devices connected to control and deriving circuits, FE equations coupled with the circuit equations have to be solved for many times in their design processes. If the FE models are replaced by equivalent circuit models, computational time could be drastically reduced. Design/methodology/approach In the proposed method, a reduced FE model is obtained using proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) in which the size of FE equation is effectively reduced so that the computational time for FE analysis is shortened. Then, the equivalent circuits are directly synthesized from the admittance function of the reduced system. Findings Accuracy and computational efficiency of the proposed method are compared with those of another POD-based method in which the equivalent circuits are synthesized from fitting of frequency characteristics using optimization algorithm. There are no significant differences in the accuracy of both methods, while the speedup ratio of the former method is found larger than that for the latter method for the same sampling points. Originality/value The equivalent circuits of electric machines and devices have been synthesized on the basis of physical insight of engineers. This paper proposes a novel method by which the equivalent circuits are automatically synthesized from FE model of the electric machines and devices using POD.


2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 379-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. García Muñoz

AbstractA significant body of work on simulating the remote appearance of Earth-like exoplanets has been done over the last decade. The research is driven by the prospect of characterizing habitable planets beyond the Solar System in the near future. In this work, I present a method to produce the disk-integrated signature of planets that are described in their three-dimensional complexity, i.e. with both horizontal and vertical variations in the optical properties of their envelopes. The approach is based on Pre-conditioned Backward Monte Carlo integration of the vector Radiative Transport Equation and yields the full Stokes vector for outgoing reflected radiation. The method is demonstrated through selected examples inspired by published work at wavelengths from the visible to the near infrared and terrestrial prescriptions of both cloud and surface albedo maps. I explore the performance of the method in terms of computational time and accuracy. A clear strength of this approach is that its computational cost does not appear to be significantly affected by non-uniformities in the planet optical properties. Earth's simulated appearance is strongly dependent on wavelength; both brightness and polarization undergo diurnal variations arising from changes in the planet cover, but polarization yields a better insight into variations with phase angle. There is partial cancellation of the polarized signal from the northern and southern hemispheres so that the outgoing polarization vector lies preferentially either in the plane parallel or perpendicular to the planet scattering plane, also for non-uniform cloud and albedo properties and various levels of absorption within the atmosphere. The evaluation of circular polarization is challenging; a number of one-photon experiments of 109 or more is needed to resolve hemispherically integrated degrees of circular polarization of a few times 10−5. Last, I introduce brightness curves of Earth obtained with one of the Messenger cameras at three wavelengths (0.48, 0.56 and 0.63 μm) during a flyby in 2005. The light curves show distinct structure associated with the varying aspect of the Earth's visible disk (phases of 98–107°) as the planet undergoes a full 24 h rotation; the structure is reasonably well reproduced with model simulations.


Author(s):  
Kaoutar Hazim ◽  
Guillaume Parent ◽  
Stéphane Duchesne ◽  
Andrè Nicolet ◽  
Christophe Geuzaine

Purpose This paper aims to model a three-dimensional twisted geometry of a twisted pair studied in an electrostatic approximation using only two-dimensional (2D) finite elements. Design/methodology/approach The proposed method is based on the reformulation of the weak formulation of the electrostatics problem to deal with twisted geometries only in 2D. Findings The method is based on a change of coordinates and enables a faster computational time as well as a high accuracy. Originality/value The effectiveness of the adopted approach is demonstrated by studying different configurations related to the IEC 60851-5 standard defined for the measurement of the electrical properties of the insulation of the winding wires used in electrical machines.


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