A Methodological Study to Analyze and Design the Car Chassis

The car's chassis is also called a structure that locates and mounts all the vehicle's components. It also creates a secure environment for the occupants. The chassis will provide torsional and flexural rigidity to the vehicle that makes the chassis one of the most crucial elements of the vehicle. Therefore, the front impact, rear impact, side impact, front torsional, rear torsional, vertical bending, lateral bending analyses were performed. The contribution of chassis is not limited to supporting the vehicle’s component, but it extends to providing better performance and aesthetics. Therefore, the design of the car chassis must be done accordingly. The current paper deals with the study of the design and analysis of the race car. The deformation, stress, and Factor of safety were considered as the evaluation parameters which were obtained by Finite Element Analysis (FEA) in Ansys software. To design the chassis, the SolidWorks software was utilized. Keywords: Car Chassis, Design, FEA, Material Comparison.

A COMPACT AND PORTABLE DESIGN DEVELOPMENT OF A LOW ROLLING RESISTANCE TEST RIG

Low Rolling Resistance (LRR) conveyor systems are generally preferred over traditional conveyors because of better overall efficiency lesser energy consumption required to operate. In this work, the design development and analysis path in the process of downscaling the size of an existent LRR test rig to a compact, portable and desktop-sized model is presented. Simulation has been developed using SolidWorks and finite element analysis is conducted using ANSYS to obtain the deformation, stress and strain of each part of the new design.

Experimental and modeling investigations on the quasi-static compression properties of isotropic silicone rubber-based magnetorheological elastomers under the magnetic fields ranging from zero to saturation field

The isotropic magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) containing three different contents of carbonyl iron particles (CIPs) based on silicone rubber were prepared, and their quasi-static compression properties under various magnetic fields were characterized by a material testing machine with specialized electromagnet. The magneto-induced actuation stress at zero strain condition as well as the deformation stress during compression process of MREs were tested. According to the magnetization model and demagnetizing energy theory, a magneto-induced actuation model of isotropic MREs was proposed. Meanwhile, a magneto-hyperelastic model was established for calculating the magnetic field- and strain-dependent deformation stress of MREs via combining the Neo–Hookean model, the magnetization model, and the magnetic dipole theory. Therefore, a new constitutive model was established to describe compression properties of isotropic MREs by considering the magneto-induced actuation and the magneto-hyperelastic behaviors. Finally, the effect of CIP content and model applicability were analyzed. It is verified that the developed compression model was able to exactly predict the compression properties of isotropic MREs with various CIP contents over the magnetic field range varying from zero field to saturation field by adopting a set of unified model parameters.

The evolution of pelvic canal shape and rotational birth in humans

Background The human foetus typically needs to rotate when passing through the tight birth canal because of the complex shape of the pelvis. In most women, the upper part, or inlet, of the birth canal has a round or mediolaterally oval shape, which is considered ideal for parturition, but it is unknown why the lower part of the birth canal has a pronounced anteroposteriorly oval shape. Results Here, we show that the shape of the lower birth canal affects the ability of the pelvic floor to resist the pressure exerted by the abdominal organs and the foetus. Based on a series of finite element analyses, we found that the highest deformation, stress, and strain occur in pelvic floors with a circular or mediolaterally oval shape, whereas an anteroposterior elongation increases pelvic floor stability. Conclusions This suggests that the anteroposterior oval outlet shape is an evolutionary adaptation for pelvic floor support. For the pelvic inlet, by contrast, it has long been assumed that the mediolateral dimension is constrained by the efficiency of upright locomotion. But we argue that the mediolateral elongation has evolved because of the limits on the anteroposterior diameter imposed by upright posture. We show that an anteroposteriorly deeper inlet would require greater pelvic tilt and lumbar lordosis, which compromises spine health and the stability of upright posture. These different requirements of the pelvic inlet and outlet likely have led to the complex shape of the pelvic canal and to the evolution of rotational birth characteristic of humans.

A Study of Support Characteristics of Collaborative Reinforce System of U-Steel Support and Anchored Cable for Roadway under High Dynamic Stress

This paper presents a comprehensive study of the support effect and characteristics of a collaborative reinforce system of U-steel support and anchored cable (USS-AC) for roadway under high dynamic stress in a coal mine in China. The deformational behavior of the roadway and the load characteristics of reinforcing elements were measured in real time and analyzed. A numerical simulation study has also been conducted to identify the interaction of the reinforcing elements to the surrounding rock under dynamic load. The research results suggest that the stress distribution of roadway surrounding rock could be changed and that residual strength of the surrounding rock near opening could be increased by using USS-AC. Based on the action of anchored cable, the moment distribution of U-steel support is optimized. The load capacity and nondeformability of the U-steel support are promoted. And the global stability of U-steel support is enhanced so as to achieve the goal of high supporting resistance. When the deformation stress of the surrounding rock is higher, the U-steel support deforms as the surrounding rock. The two side beams and the overlapping parts of U-steel support suffer the highest deformation stress. As a result, the anchored cable provides higher reaction force for the previous locations of the U-steel support in order to prevent deformation of support towards to excavation. As an integral structure, the U-steel support is confined to a limited deformation space under the action of anchored cable. The larger deformation is released through sliding motion of the overlapping parts so as to reach the ultimate of high supporting resistance of USS-AC.

Influence of the Variability of Compressed Air Temperature on Selected Parameters of the Deformation-Stress State of the Rock Mass Around a CAES Salt Cavern

The article presents the results of a numerical simulation of the deformation-stress state in the rock mass around a salt cavern which is a part of a CAES installation (Compressed Air Energy Storage). The model is based on the parameters of the Huntorf power plant installation. The influence of temperature and salt-creep speed on the stability of the storage cavern was determined on the basis of the three different stress criteria and the effort of the rock mass in three points of the cavern at different time intervals. The analysis includes two creep speeds, which represent two different types of salt. The solutions showed that the influence of temperature on the deformation-stress state around the CAES cavern is of importance when considering the stress state at a distance of less than 60 m from the cavern axis (at cavern diameter 30–35 m). With an increase in cavern diameter, it is possible that the impact range will be proportionately larger, but each case requires individual modeling that includes the shape of the cavern and the cavern working cycle.

Investigation on Deformation of the Flex-Gear and Optimization Design of Compound Curve Cam Wave Generator with Spiral

The deformation shape and mechanical property of flex-gear greatly affect the meshing accuracy and service life of harmonic drive, and the stress wave generator plays a decisive role in the deformation shape and mechanical properties of the flexible gear. The investigation on deformation of the flex-gear around the major axis is developed with comparative analysis with three kinds of traditional and commonly used wave generators. Based on the influence of the deformation around the major axis on meshing accuracy and service life, the eccentric arc cam wave generator improved by transition curve for controlling the deformation shape and reducing the deformation stress is developed. Considering the achievable flexibility of spiral with smooth curvature change rate, the contour of the compound curve cam wave generator with arc and spiral is proposed. The deformation of the flex-gear under the influence of this compound curve cam and the standard elliptic cam is further comparative analyzed. The conclusion shows that this compound curve cam can indeed reduce the deformation stress in the meshing area by increasing the meshing width, and correct deformation shape can also be gained by shape control on the whole circumference of the flex-gear’s neutral layer.

Study on Supporting Protection of Tunnel Opening near a Rock Layer under Elastic Deformation of Surrounding Rock

Due to the limitation of geological conditions and route alignment, tunnel engineering will inevitably pass through special sections such as shallow buried section, broken rock layer, and loss and weak rock stratum. Tunnel construction in these special sections will easily lead to tunnel collapse, landslide of portal slope, excessive deformation of supporting structure, and even deformation and damage accidents, which are high-incidence areas of engineering safety accidents. In this paper, a 3D numerical model is established based on a practical engineering to analyze the deformation and stress variation of surrounding rock of the tunnel with the in-advance support technology. According to the monitoring results of the actual project, the deformation law of the soft rock section at the tunnel entrance is mastered. The deformation of surrounding rock of the tunnel under the support condition of changing the three main parameters, such as ring spacing, pipe diameter, and pipe length, is analyzed, and the effect of controlling the deformation of surrounding rock with different parameters is studied. The deformation, stress characteristics, and plastic zone distribution of surrounding rock by a single side wall guide method and ring excavation and retaining core soil method in advance support are numerically simulated and studied.

Investigation of Reaction Forces in the Thoracolumbar Fascia during Different Activities: A Mechanistic Numerical Study

Spinal instability remains a complex phenomenon to study while the cause of low back pain continues to challenge researchers. The role of fascia in biomechanics adds to the complexity of spine biomechanics but offers a new window from which to investigate our spines. Specifically, the thoracolumbar fascia may have an important role in spine biomechanics, and thus the purpose of this study was to access the mechanical influence of the thoracolumbar fascia on spine biomechanics during different simulated activities. A numerical finite element model of the lumbar spine inclusive of the intra-abdominal and intra-muscular regions as well as the thoracolumbar fascia was constructed and validated. Four different loading scenarios were simulated while deformation, stress, pressure, and reaction forces between the thoracolumbar fascia and spine were measured. Model validation was accomplished through comparison to in vivo and ex vivo published studies. Force transmission between the thoracolumbar fascia and the spine increased 40% comparing kyphotic and squatting lifting patterns. Further, the importance of reciprocating paraspinal and intra-abdominal pressures was demonstrated. It was also found that tension in the thoracolumbar fascia remains even in a simulated prone position. This numerical analysis allowed for an objective interpretation of the loads conveyed through the thoracolumbar fascia in different positional or lifting scenarios. Based on validation studies, it would appear to be a viable experimental platform from which insight can be derived. The loads in the thoracolumbar fascia vary considerably based on simulated tasks and are linked to the pressures in the paraspinal and intra-abdominal regions.