scholarly journals The Route That Forces Take

2008 ◽  
Vol 130 (09) ◽  
pp. 39-42
Author(s):  
James G. Skakoon
Keyword(s):  
Human Factor ◽  
Mechanical Design ◽  
Design Tool ◽  
Engineering Analysis ◽  
Force Transmission ◽  
Load Path ◽  
Analytical Design ◽  
Load Paths ◽  
Potential Problems ◽  
Factor Design

This article discusses that visualizing the load path in a design can uncover areas open to improvement. Planning the force transmission path during mechanical design is hardly dazzling engineering analysis, but explicitly doing so will improve your designs. By visualizing the transmission of forces, one can eliminate unnecessary parts, strengthen the design, and identify potential problems for further analysis or correction. Visualizing the path of transmitted forces for cables is pretty easy; forces follow the tension cables. But it is only slightly more complex with compression and shear involved. Although design is never a strictly linear progression, reviewing and refining the load path should be a formal part of the design process. Troubles with the load path in user-centered device design may become obvious with testing, but thinking about load paths as a human factor design issue can save time and effort. It is not a highly analytical design tool, but visualizing and refining load paths in structures and mechanisms is extraordinarily useful for designers, and it’s simple.

Columns in partially restrained construction: analytical studies

1987 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 485-497 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Nethercot ◽  
Patrick A. Kirby ◽  
Abdussalam M. Rifai
Keyword(s):  
Structural Design ◽  
Analytical Procedure ◽  
Load Path ◽  
American Institute ◽  
Load Paths ◽  
Factor Design ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Partially Restrained ◽  
Load And Resistance Factor ◽  
End Restraint

The American Institute of Steel Construction Proposed Load and Resistance Factor Design Specification recognizes the ability of connections that function as less than fully rigid to transmit limited moments and to provide some measure of end restraint to columns in its definition of partially restrained (PR) construction. An analytical procedure for determining the response up to collapse of subassemblages in which semirigid beam-to-column connections are present is derived. This employs a nonlinear finite element column analysis together with analytical representation of experimentally determined connection moment–rotation [Formula: see text] curves. To trace the full response under any load path produced by a combination of beam loads and direct column load, it is necessary to allow for possible reversal in the direction of rotation of any of the connections. The program is used to study the effect of different connection types (ranging from very flexible web cleats to almost rigid extended end plates) and different load paths on column behaviour in nonsway subassemblages. It is found that the degree of rotation required from each connection is an important parameter in determining column response. Key words: buckling, columns, connections, frames, stability, steel, structural design, structures.

Reverse Engineering the Structure and Function of the Allegheny Mound Ant Neck (Insecta, Hymenoptera, Formica, Exsectoides)

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vienny N. Nguyen ◽  
Blaine W. Lilly ◽  
Carlos E. Castro
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Design ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Load Path ◽  
Supporting Surface ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Formica Exsectoides ◽  
Sem Imaging ◽  
Heavy Loads ◽  
And Function ◽  
Mass Loads

Insects as mechanical systems have been optimized for form and function over millions of years. Ants, in particular, can lift and carry extremely heavy loads relative to their body mass. Loads are lifted with the mouthparts, transferred through the neck joint to the thorax, and distributed over six legs and feet that anchor to the supporting surface. While previous research efforts have explored attachment mechanisms of the feet, little is known about the mechanical design of the neck — the single joint that connects the load path from the thorax to the head. This work combines mechanical testing, computed tomography (CT) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging, and computational modeling to better understand the mechanical structure-function relation of the ant neck joint.

Load Path Transmission in Joining Elements

2021 ◽  
Vol 883 ◽  
pp. 73-80
Author(s):  
Christian Steinfelder ◽  
Sven Martin ◽  
Alexander Brosius ◽  
Thomas Tröster
Keyword(s):  
Path Analysis ◽  
Fe Model ◽  
3D Analysis ◽  
Tensile Shear ◽  
Load Path ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Transmission Path ◽  
Future Design ◽  
Load Transmission ◽  
Load Paths

The mechanical properties of joined structures are determined considerably by the chosen joining technology. With the aim of providing a method that enables a faster and more profound decision-making in the spatial distribution of joining points during product development, a new method for the load path analysis of joining points is presented. For an exemplary car body, the load type in the joining elements, i.e. pure tensile, shear and combined tensile-shear loads, is determined using finite element analysis (FEA). Based on the evaluated loads, the resulting load paths in selected joining points are analyzed using a 2D FE-model of a clinching point. State of the art methods for load path analysis are dependent on the selected coordinate system or the existing stress state. Thus, a general statement about the load transmission path is not possible at this time. Here, a novel method for the analysis of load paths is used, which is independent of the alignment of the analyzed geometry. The basic assumption of the new load path analysis method was confirmed by using a simple specimen with a square hole in different orientations. The results presented here show a possibility to display the load transmission path invariantly. In further steps, the method will be extended for 3D analysis and the investigation of more complex assemblies. The primary goal of this methodical approach is an even load distribution over the joining elements and the component. This will provide a basis for future design approaches aimed at reducing the number of joining elements in joined structures.

Software Quality Evaluation for Control System Based on Extension Theory

2014 ◽  
Vol 945-949 ◽  
pp. 3331-3335
Author(s):  
Xiao Ying Liu ◽  
Jian Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Control System ◽  
Software Quality ◽  
Quality Evaluation ◽  
Evaluation Method ◽  
Mechanical Design ◽  
Engineering Analysis ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
Practical Application ◽  
Software Quality Evaluation ◽  
Function Calculation

A software quality evaluation method for control system based on the extension engineering analysis method is proposed. The evaluating index system of software quality evaluation for control system was constructed. The matter elements models were constructed, and the goodness of mechanical design scheme was computed by using goodness evaluation method based on correlation function calculation. Then the pros or cons of system to be evaluated were determined by comparing the goodness value of each evaluation grade. Finally, the practical application showed that the evaluation method was scientific, clear, and effective and had good practicality.

Function and Mechanism Formalization in Task Based Conceptual Design Method

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. V. Darbinyan
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Design ◽  
Mechanical Design ◽  
Design Method ◽  
General Concept ◽  
Design Tool ◽  
Concept Design ◽  
Scope Of Application ◽  
Core Idea ◽  
And Function ◽  
Mechanical Objects

Mechanism and function formalization problem is touched in a novel task based conceptual mechanical design method. The general concept and a specific application of this method were reported in earlier publications. Direct dependence between the function and mechanism, identical synthesis tools for various stages of design and for various mechanical objects are the features making the suggested method advantageously different from existing concept design approaches. The core idea of suggested conceptual design method is the direct relation between challenged function and the mechanical entity which is in charge of implementing the requested function. The existing task based conceptual design methods are not satisfying the designer’s needs for scope of application, universality of design means, visualization and formalization of both mechanical and functional fields. Formalization of functions and mechanisms is an important design tool that will facilitate synthesis, analyzes, visualization and archiving (data base creating) processes of mechanical development. Further progress in unveiling the resources of the suggested design method is mostly based on development of formalization means for both categories of functions and mechanisms. The current study is unveiling newly developed function and mechanism description language that is helping to formalize both mechanical and functional categories facilitating their involvement in design process and making the description of a new product’s mechanical development easy and understandable. Function formalization in conjunction with mechanism formalization allows to formulate precisely the design task and concentrate the designer’s attention on solution of a single task strictly arranged in the hierarchical function tree of all involved tasks and functions.

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