Transient Response of Gradient-Based Optimization for Ground Source Heat Exchangers

Author(s):  
Anthony A. DiCarlo ◽  
Rickey A. Caldwell

Abstract The efficiency of ground source heating and cooling can be improved during installation by utilizing non-uniform properties of the soil. This paper presents a transient analysis of a computed optimal distribution of heterogeneous soils with varying thermal conductivities. This optimal configuration was computed via a gradient descent approach. The numerically simulated case studies demonstrate an improved performance when utilizing this approach to maximize the overall efficiency. The focus of this study is optimization of the soil heterogeneity surrounding the ground heat exchanger composed of pipes buried 2 meters underground. Finite element mathematics is used for the optimization algorithm. The finite element cells are treated as isotropic material voxels. The variation of material thermal conductivity in individual cells is employed as the optimizing variable. The updated conductivities are verified to ensure they are within the design domain. This method computes the sensitivities for the search direction (i.e. the gradient descent direction) utilizing the equations employed in the finite element mathematics. The optimization solution commences with the finite element model and applied boundary conditions. An initial guess is made of the elements’ conductivity. Based on these conductivities, the initial temperature is computed and later implemented to estimate the gradient. The global geometric conductivity matrix is assembled once in this process from the element geometric conductivity matrices. The objective function presented in this work maximizes the temperature at the critical locations. For this study, the critical locations are the location of the pipes. A three-dimensional, transient thermal simulation is developed based upon the optimized configuration for the soil. The monthly mean diurnal ambient air temperature variations for the months in the Northeast United States representing winter and summer are implemented in this study along with typical solar loading for each season. The results are presented for both a baseline homogeneous soil configuration and the optimized configuration. The results illustrate the benefits of an optimized soil configuration to maximize performance.

1996 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 339-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. V. Pidaparti

Abstract A three-dimensional (3D) beam finite element model was developed to investigate the torsional stiffness of a twisted steel-reinforced cord-rubber belt structure. The present 3D beam element takes into account the coupled extension, bending, and twisting deformations characteristic of the complex behavior of cord-rubber composite structures. The extension-twisting coupling due to the twisted nature of the cords was also considered in the finite element model. The results of torsional stiffness obtained from the finite element analysis for twisted cords and the two-ply steel cord-rubber belt structure are compared to the experimental data and other alternate solutions available in the literature. The effects of cord orientation, anisotropy, and rubber core surrounding the twisted cords on the torsional stiffness properties are presented and discussed.


2007 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 226-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. M. Jeong ◽  
K. W. Kim ◽  
H. G. Beom ◽  
J. U. Park

Abstract The effects of variations in stiffness and geometry on the nonuniformity of tires are investigated by using the finite element analysis. In order to evaluate tire uniformity, a three-dimensional finite element model of the tire with imperfections is developed. This paper considers how imperfections, such as variations in stiffness or geometry and run-out, contribute to detrimental effects on tire nonuniformity. It is found that the radial force variation of a tire with imperfections depends strongly on the geometrical variations of the tire.


Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 1152
Author(s):  
Rafał Nowak ◽  
Anna Olejnik ◽  
Hanna Gerber ◽  
Roman Frątczak ◽  
Ewa Zawiślak

The aim of this study was to compare the reduced stresses according to Huber’s hypothesis and the displacement pattern in the region of the facial skeleton using a tooth- or bone-borne appliance in surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME). In the current literature, the lack of updated reports about biomechanical effects in bone-borne appliances used in SARME is noticeable. Finite element analysis (FEA) was used for this study. Six facial skeleton models were created, five with various variants of osteotomy and one without osteotomy. Two different appliances for maxillary expansion were used for each model. The three-dimensional (3D) model of the facial skeleton was created on the basis of spiral computed tomography (CT) scans of a 32-year-old patient with maxillary constriction. The finite element model was built using ANSYS 15.0 software, in which the computations were carried out. Stress distributions and displacement values along the 3D axes were found for each osteotomy variant with the expansion of the tooth- and the bone-borne devices at a level of 0.5 mm. The investigation showed that in the case of a full osteotomy of the maxilla, as described by Bell and Epker in 1976, the method of fixing the appliance for maxillary expansion had no impact on the distribution of the reduced stresses according to Huber’s hypothesis in the facial skeleton. In the case of the bone-borne appliance, the load on the teeth, which may lead to periodontal and orthodontic complications, was eliminated. In the case of a full osteotomy of the maxilla, displacements in the buccolingual direction for all the variables of the bone-borne appliance were slightly bigger than for the tooth-borne appliance.


1985 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 801-805 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. R. Heyliger ◽  
J. N. Reddy

A quasi-three dimensional elasticity formulation and associated finite element model for the stress analysis of symmetric laminates with free-edge cap reinforcement are described. Numerical results are presented to show the effect of the reinforcement on the reduction of free-edge stresses. It is observed that the interlaminar normal stresses are reduced considerably more than the interlaminar shear stresses due to the free-edge reinforcement.


2002 ◽  
Vol 124 (3) ◽  
pp. 273-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tammy L. Haut Donahue ◽  
M. L. Hull ◽  
Mark M. Rashid ◽  
Christopher R. Jacobs

As a step towards developing a finite element model of the knee that can be used to study how the variables associated with a meniscal replacement affect tibio-femoral contact, the goals of this study were 1) to develop a geometrically accurate three-dimensional solid model of the knee joint with special attention given to the menisci and articular cartilage, 2) to determine to what extent bony deformations affect contact behavior, and 3) to determine whether constraining rotations other than flexion/extension affects the contact behavior of the joint during compressive loading. The model included both the cortical and trabecular bone of the femur and tibia, articular cartilage of the femoral condyles and tibial plateau, both the medial and lateral menisci with their horn attachments, the transverse ligament, the anterior cruciate ligament, and the medial collateral ligament. The solid models for the menisci and articular cartilage were created from surface scans provided by a noncontacting, laser-based, three-dimensional coordinate digitizing system with an root mean squared error (RMSE) of less than 8 microns. Solid models of both the tibia and femur were created from CT images, except for the most proximal surface of the tibia and most distal surface of the femur which were created with the three-dimensional coordinate digitizing system. The constitutive relation of the menisci treated the tissue as transversely isotropic and linearly elastic. Under the application of an 800 N compressive load at 0 degrees of flexion, six contact variables in each compartment (i.e., medial and lateral) were computed including maximum pressure, mean pressure, contact area, total contact force, and coordinates of the center of pressure. Convergence of the finite element solution was studied using three mesh sizes ranging from an average element size of 5 mm by 5 mm to 1 mm by 1 mm. The solution was considered converged for an average element size of 2 mm by 2 mm. Using this mesh size, finite element solutions for rigid versus deformable bones indicated that none of the contact variables changed by more than 2% when the femur and tibia were treated as rigid. However, differences in contact variables as large as 19% occurred when rotations other than flexion/extension were constrained. The largest difference was in the maximum pressure. Among the principal conclusions of the study are that accurate finite element solutions of tibio-femoral contact behavior can be obtained by treating the bones as rigid. However, unrealistic constraints on rotations other than flexion/extension can result in relatively large errors in contact variables.


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