Software Module Development for the Parametric Generation of Truss Structure Geometry in a Two-Dimensional Setting

Introduction. Truss structures are widespread in construction due to a number of advantages, such as economy, versatility, and scalability. Accordingly, their modeling and calculation are urgent tasks in the design of building structures. Automatic solution to these problems causes an increase in design efficiency, calculation accuracy, and lower costs. The objective of the study is to examine the functionality and operation algorithm of the software module developed by the authors that generates the geometry of two-dimensional truss structures for subsequent modeling.Materials and Methods. Following the research of the widespread truss configurations, the classification of chords available in the software under consideration is given. The method of parameterizing a truss structure is provided. This method includes base geometric parameters of the structure such as dimensions, model construction rules, and additional features, as well as a comprehensive algorithm. The software is developed in JavaScript.Results. The software module has been integrated into a web application for calculating two-dimensional rod structures. To illustrate the functionality of the software, the examples of user interface are given as well as an example problem. The example includes configuration and calculation of an inclined truss structure. The results, such as support reactions and internal forces with axial force diagram, are provided.Discussion and Conclusions. Using this software module within the framework of the tool for calculating rod structures allows for the simplified process of modeling and calculating complex truss structures, design time, and resource reduction. The software module provides tools for specifying various types of structures, applying loads and assigning properties of a rod system, which makes it a useful instrument for design engineers.

Construction and installation engineering for floating wind turbines

The construction and installation engineering of floating offshore wind turbines is important to minimize schedules and costs. Floating offshore wind turbine substructures are an expanding sector within renewable power generation, offering an opportunity to deliver green energy, in new areas offshore. The floating nature of the substructures permits wind turbine placement in deep water locations. This paper investigates the construction and installation challenges for the various floating offshore wind types. It is concluded that priority areas for project management and design engineers minimising steel used in semi submersible construction, reducing the floating draft of Spars and for Tension Leg Platforms developing equipment for a safe installation. Specifically tailored design for construction and installation includes expanding the weather window in which these floating substructures can be fabricated, transported to and from offshore site and making mooring and electrical connection operations simpler. The simplification of construction methodology will reduce time spent offshore and minimise risks to installation equipment and personnel. The paper will include the best practice for ease of towing for offshore installation and the possible return to port for maintenance. The construction and installation process for a floating offshore wind turbine varies with substructure type and this will be developed in more detail in the paper. Floating offshore wind structures require an international collaboration of shipyards, ports and construction vessels, though to good project management. It is concluded that return to port for maintenance is possible for semi submersibles and barges whereas for Spars and TLP updated equipment is required to carry out maintenance offshore. In order to facilitate the construction and to minimize costs, the main aspects have to be considered i.e., the required construction vessel types, the distance from fit-out port to site and the weather restrictions.

Sustainable deployment of crushed concrete aggregates strengthened with cement and sand

Purpose: Paper assessed the feasibility of crushed concrete aggregates (CCA), a subsidiary of construction and demolition (C&D) waste, blended with cement and sand to form a composite for civil engineering field applications. Design/methodology/approach: The compaction and strength characteristics of CCA were observed by conducting Proctor compaction and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) tests. Different proportions of CCA, sand and cement were used. Moreover, the effect of curing period (0, 4, 7, 14 and 28 days) was also studied. In addition, regression analyses were performed to develop empirical expressions to predict the compaction and strength characteristics of the CCA composite. Findings: Increasing the CCA content up to 50% increases the maximum dry unit weight (MDUW) and decreases the optimum moisture content (OMC). However, on further increasing its content the MDUW decreases and OMC increases. Percent increase in the CBR value can go up to 412% if the CCA content is increased up to 50%. However, the percent reduction in CBR of about 20% can take place if 100% CCA content is used. Moreover, multiple regression shows that the experimental results are in good agreement with the predicted values. Research limitations/implications: The results obtained are purely dependent on the type of material. However, they are in favour of the used material as a probable option for road sub-base layer, and also for reducing burden on available natural resources. Therefore, it is recommended to conduct some initial tests to confirm the feasibility of the material. Practical implications: The proposed study will guide the design Engineers to choose CCA as one of the potential materials for road construction. Originality/value: It was observed that there is a need to maximize the utilization of C&D waste without making any compromise with its mechanical properties. So keeping that in view, the present study was conducted.

A New Approach For Calculating Inherent Strain and Distortion in Additive Manufacturing of Metal Parts

Additive manufacturing (AM) of metallic parts is widely utilized for industrial applications. However, quality issues of the printed parts, including part distortion and cracks caused by high temperature and fast cooling, result in high residual stress. This is a challenge that limits the industry acceptance of AM. To overcome this challenge, a numerical modeling method for predicting part distortion at the design stage plays an important role, and enables design engineers to remove failures before printing, as well as determine the optimal printing process parameters to minimize part deformation. This research proposes an inherent strain-based part deformation prediction method. To determine the inherent strain (IS) value, a micro-scale model for analyzing the temperature distribution is constructed. The IS value is calculated from the temperature gradient. Then, the IS value is used for determining the part deformation. The proposed methodology has been developed and evaluated, using a 316L stainless steel cantilever beam, in both simulations and experimental results.

The Internet of Sensors IoS in Oil and Gas Industry

In a highly sensitivity oil and gas upstream conditions, there is a need for a real-time interaction platform to cope with harsh environment. The oil and gas business faces data validity constraints in terms of reliability, accuracy, and repeatability to name a few. The Internet of Sensors (IoS), with appropriate utilization, will play a major role in the industry's digital transformation. Predetermined IoS platforms with applicable characteristics are functioning in critical oil and gas environment applications. For example, some oil and gas wells produces harmful gases, like hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Fiber-optic sensors can be used as a leak detection tool for H2S resistance to inform oil and gas curfew if harmful gas is detected at the well site using cloud computing. Scale and corrosion monitoring of external pipelines is one of the integrity challenges. Ultrasonic sensors are embedding for real-time scale thickness feedback and corrosion monitoring by utilizing wireless transmission directly to end-user devices. A paradigm shift is happening with the IoS applications in oil and gas operations for sensitivity, reliability, and accuracy that will add intelligence, smart decisions, and control to the operational landscape. A comprehensive review of the art in oil and gas IoS presented in this paper. The target is to evaluate state-of-the-art IoS platforms for hazardous environments such as oil and gas facilities in terms of type of sensors used, applicability, functionalities, linearity, and accuracy, type of output signals, outputs range, and materials used. This work establishes classification and comparison of the IoS for better data collection, communication, connectivity, observation, and reporting in the world of oil and gas sensors. The IoS platforms classified and compared in tables consisting of different characteristics for the best-suited IoS platform designs in oil and gas appliance applications. This will provide references for IoS design engineers.

WIELAND C24000

Wieland C24000, also known as low brass, is an 80Cu-20Zn alloy. Low brass, named for its relatively low zinc content, is a choice of many design engineers for applications where strength and formability are required. Due to its higher zinc content (compared to red brass), low brass develops a beautiful antique brass color when chemically treated, making it ideal for many decorative or architectural applications. This datasheet provides information on composition, physical properties, and elasticity. It also includes information on corrosion resistance as well as casting and heat treating. Filing Code: Cu-927. Producer or source: Wieland Rolled Products NA (formerly Olin Brass).

The Project of Organizing Non-Stop Traffic at T-Intersections (Tyumen Case Study)

The constant growth in the number of cars and trucks in single industry towns is forcing road design engineers to find ways convenient for all road users and pedestrians to move at intersections. Fulfilling such conditions is a difficult task but it can be solved, especially if there are many T-shaped intersections along the entire length of the road. Most often they are located along the line of railways, heating mains, river or lake banks, parks, etc. Since there are no adjacent roads, it is possible to ensure continuous movement of cars, but only in one direction.The objective of this work is to substantiate the project aimed at ensuring unhindered traffic at T-intersections of vehicles following 50 let VLKSM street in the city of Tyumen.To achieve this objective, the method of observation and recording, as well as the analysis of operation of optical devices that regulate passage of cars at intersections were used. With newly designed travel mode, there is no infringement of rights in relation to other motorists and pedestrians since the traffic light mode for the rest of segments keeps the same counting in seconds. A system of safe pedestrian crossing is envisaged along with an improvement in the environmental component of the whole city.For initial adaptation of motorists to new conditions, it is proposed to use a side green vertical arrow attached to the traffic light and signal columns that delimit traffic lanes for a «slow merge» into the flow of those leaving the secondary road. An undeniable advantage of this type of design is the minimum cost of reconstruction of intersections. Based on author’s own observations, it can be argued that this project increases traffic of vehicles moving from the central part of the city to the eastern part by 1,5–1,8 times.

Welding Procedure Qualification Record (WPQR) for Welds Fabricated At Proximity

Maintaining minimum allowable distance between proximity welds has always been considered a subject of debate between design engineers, welding engineers/inspectors and fabricators/engineering contractors. The scattered nature of guidelines available in welding codes and standards for maintain minimum allowable distance pose a significant challenge in the welding procedure and inspection criteria development process. This is especially critical for complex welded joints on submerged sections of offshore structures, in compact layouts/branched connections of topside piping components, and on topside structural joints (depending on the complexity). This manuscript presents the findings of an experimental study that was performed by fabricating two girth welds at a proximity on an S355 steel tubular section having diameter of 219.1 mm and thickness of 8.18 mm. Proximity girth welds were fabricated on S355 tubular sections at three different distances between their weld toe as 5, 10 & 15mm respectively using two different welding procedures. Welding procedure qualification record (WPQR) was performed, and all prescribed mechanical tests were recorded as per NORSOK M-101, a structural steel fabrication code. Although all results from mechanical test met minimum specified values as defined in the NORSOK code, research findings revealed noticeable difference in Charpy and hardness values for proximity region between adjacent welds. Considerable changes in final microstructure morphology were observed between proximity welds due to successive thermal cycles. These observations can form basis for future welding procedure qualification of critical welded joints, especially for proximity welds on critical welded joints of offshore structures and welds fabricated during replacement/repair procedures in compact piping layouts.

Experimental Investigation on Mechanical Properties of Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Epoxy Composites for Automobile Application

Carbon nanotubes are established as a superior form of carbon. These have superior characteristics in terms of mechanical and chemical properties when compared to the other fibres available. High-strength fibres can be employed in a composite in a short form and mass-produced to fulfil high demands in composite applications. These composites can meet the strength requirements of nonstructural and structural components in a wide range of industries. Because of their light weight and excellent strength-to-weight ratio, these composites can be used in a wide range of applications. With Young’s modulus as high as 1 TPa and tensile strength up to 63 GPa, they are among the stiffest and strongest fibres. There is currently a lot of interest in using carbon nanotubes in a matrix to take advantage of these features. There have been a variety of polymer matrices used, and nanotube/ceramic and nanotube/metal composites are gaining popularity. The study of these materials is an ongoing process, as researchers and design engineers have yet to realize their full potential. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are used in this study to create the composite with the resin. The percentage of CNT used as a filler material in the composite is varied from 1 to 4 percent, with the best percentage chosen for optimal mechanical properties.

Resonant Frequency of Circular Sectorial Microstrip Antenna Printed On Double-Layered Anisotropic Substrates

In this work, modal characteristics have been rigorously studied which germinate an improved, accurate, and efficient computer-aided design (CAD) formulation to estimate the resonant frequency of sectorial circular microstrip antennas printed on anisotropic suspended and composite substrates. The obtained results demonstrated that the resonant frequencies of the sectorial circular microstrip patch on suspended and composite substrates can be adjusted to obtain the maximum operating frequency of the antenna. The computed results show a fairly good agreement with measured results. Such theoretical validation and results may prove to be more useful for design engineers and further investigation.