Engineering Design Analysis Research Articles

A comprehensive engineering design analysis of Apple Watch as a smart wearable device

This paper presents a comprehensive engineering design analysis of the Apple Watch, a pioneering smart wearable device by Apple Inc. The analysis covers the device's hardware and software components, design principles, manufacturing processes, impact on user experience, and its influence on the wearable technology market. The Apple Watch integrates advanced technologies into a sleek and functional design, enhancing user interaction through its intuitive interface and robust health monitoring capabilities. By examining its engineering intricacies and market impact, this study highlights the Apple Watch's role in shaping the future of wearable technology.

Design of Rock Support in Low Overburden and Hard Rock Conditions with the use of Rock Mass Classification Systems and Numerical Analyses: a Study Based on the Construction of the Hestnes Railway Tunnel, Norway

AbstractEngineering rock mass classifications are used to describe rock masses and to assist in the design of rock support in hard rock tunneling. In most of the encountered geological- and rock mechanical conditions, from hard and competent rock to poor and fractured rock masses, the application of classification systems has normally resulted in successful and economic designs. However, complex ground conditions as these derived from tunneling in low rock overburden pose several challenges to rock mass classification and support design. In the present study, an analysis of the ground behavior and tunnel stability in a portion with very low rock overburden during the construction of the Hestnes railway tunnel (Norway) was conducted to investigate the performance of the current classification practice for tunnel rock support design. The results have revealed several challenges, which are related to conservative rock mass and rock support assessments due to the lack of consideration of the important stabilizing effect that rock arching has on tunnel stability. It was also found that with the application of an integrated methodology able to combine classification methods with numerical simulations and detailed information of the ground properties and behavior, more optimal designs in the form of rock reinforcement with bolts and shotcrete can be achieved when rock mass quality Q < 1. On this basis, a set of design recommendations was developed for the integration of classification systems with more elaborated engineering design analyses to provide guidance in design optimization for hard rock tunnels subject to low overburden.

Flow assurance analysis in Front End Engineering Design (FEED) of Subsea Flowline and Riser

Innovative subsea production systems (SPS) are required for deep-water oil and gas exploration in order to transport multiphase fluids—a complex mixture of water, gas, and oil—across long distances under challenging conditions. Significant technological challenges confront these systems, such as flow assurance, which ensures continuous fluid flow through pipelines, flowlines, and wells. Flow assurance issues can significantly impact production and incur costly downtime. This paper emphasizes the critical role of flow assurance analysis during the crucial Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) stage of SPS development. By utilizing industry-standard simulation tools like PIPESIM™, engineers can proactively identify and mitigate potential flow assurance problems that could hinder productivity. These analyses are crucial as FEED decisions significantly impact project cost-effectiveness. To illustrate the practical application of flow assurance principles, the paper presents a case study of a subsea architecture design for a specific manifold system. Considering operator requirements, flow assurance simulations were employed to guide critical decisions regarding material selection and optimal sizing of risers and flowlines. This demonstrates how flow assurance considerations during FEED directly influence cost-effective and optimized SPS design.

Editorial

The Italian Association for Stress Analysis (AIAS) was founded in 1971 by researchers from academia, research centers and industry. AIAS was intended as a community where to discuss, to share and to develop scientific knowledge related to all technical aspects of stress analysis. In the years, from an initial focus on experimental techniques, AIAS contributed considerably to the development of modern numerical methods and computational techniques for the mechanical engineering design. In 2015, AIAS turned in the Italian Scientific Society of Mechanical Engineering Design.Today, AIAS is an institutional partner that supports the instances from academia in subject area of the mechanical engineering design. Every year, AIAS organizes a technical conference offering the possibility to present research updates, share new ideas and foster collaborations. The AIAS conference has become a fundamental event for all those interested in current developments in mechanical engineering design and stress analysis, where to meet researchers, testing equipment and software developers.The 52nd AIAS Conference edition was held in Genoa, Italy. The response of researchers and students has been outstanding: over 200 oral contributions have been presented during the three days of the conference, with four parallel sessions. In addition to the thematic sessions on AIAS traditional subjects, special sessions on additive manufacturing, energy methods for structural analysis, circular design in mechanical engineering, mechanical behavior under extreme conditions, have been successfully organized with the contribution of the AIAS technical committees.Among all contributions presented at the conference, 44 have been selected to be published after peer review, in this volume. This was made possible thanks to the active participation of all AIAS members, to the work of the AIAS Scientific Committee panel (Profs Umberto Galietti, AIAS Scientific Coordinator, Gabriele Arcidiacono AIAS Scientific coordinator for external relationships, Enrico Armentani, Davide Castagnetti, Virgilio Fontanari and Aurelio Somá) and Conference Papers Reviewers. Their outstanding contribution is gratefully acknowledged. Disclaimer AIAS2023 Conference was held in presence on Sept. 6-9, 2023. Presentations were arranged on four parallel sessions with a time slot of 15 min assigned to each presenter. Approximately 280 participants attended the conference during the three days event. All sessions have been continuously monitored by the organizers to provide technical support. The conference ran smoothly, and participants feedback was very positive.

Numerical simulation and redesign of Kamar Kajang Levee against Mount Semeru lahar flood based on HEC-RAS 2D non-newtonian flow model

Mount Semeru is one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia where the pyroclastic, debris, and mudflows from its activities have severely damaged its surrounding areas. On December 4, 2021, Mount Semeru erupted, followed by intense rainfall, and damaged the Kamar Kajang Levee after a lahar flood event. The collapsed Levee was located along the Leprak Lumajang River, one of the natural drainage systems for Mount Semeru. The dyke failure had led to severe economic loss. Thus, reconstruction of the training dyke is highly important. In response, this research aims to propose an improvement to the Kamar Kajang Levee. This study was done through field observation, numerical simulation, and levee design calculation. The Non-Newtonian algorithm in HEC-RAS 6.2 was employed to model the flood events. The 2D model has been verified using a Sentinel-2 image and has shown a 90.7% similarity of inundated area after flooded by at least 214 m3/s of flood discharge, equivalent to a 5-year design discharge. The engineering design analysis shows that an additional 3.5 m height is needed to anticipate future floods and mitigate events effectively.

Engineering design and economic analysis of offshore seaweed farm

As global demand for sustainable biomass and need to mitigate global warming begin to rise, cultivation of seaweed has gained significant attention in recent years due to its potential for carbon recycling. However, limited availability of suitable coastal areas for large-scale seaweed cultivation has led to exploration of offshore environments as a viable alternative. The nature of many offshore environments often exposes seaweed farming systems to harsh environmental conditions, including strong waves, currents, and wind. These factors can lead to structural failures, kelp losses, and significant financial losses for seaweed farmers. The main objective of this study is to present a robust design and numerical analysis of an economically viable floating offshore kelp farm facility, and evaluate its stability and mooring system performance. A numerical method of preliminary designs of the offshore aquaculture systems were developed using the OrcaFlex software. The models were subjected to a series of dynamic environmental loading scenarios representing extreme events. These simulations aimed to forecast the overall dynamic response of an offshore kelp farm at a depth of 50m and to determine the best possible farm design with structural integrity for a selected offshore environment. Furthermore, to assess the economic feasibility of establishing offshore seaweed farms, a comprehensive capital expenses analysis was conducted. The results revealed that, in terms of the kelp farms with the same number of the kelp cultivating lines, the cost of building kelp farms will be strongly affected by the cost of mooring lines. The present study may help to understand the dynamic response and economic feasibility of offshore kelp farms.

Development and preliminary verification of a 1D–3D coupled flow and heat transfer model of OTSG

Introduction: A simulation model was developed by coupling a one-dimensional (1D) system code and 3D CFD software, to analyze the three-dimensional (3D) flow and heat transfer characteristics of the once-through steam generator (OTSG).Methods: The shell side of the OTSG was simulated by FLUENT, and the tube side was simulated by the system code LOCUST. Through spatial mapping, the 1D and 3D simulations were coupled along the outer wall of the OTSG's helically coiled tubes.Results and Discussion: This coupling method enabled the acquisition of high-resolution flow and heat transfer characteristics of the OTSG, and the error of heat flux calculation result by the coupled model is within 15%. Through coupling simulation analysis of the prototype OTSG, it was found that the inlet and outlet temperature difference reached as high as 150°C. The unevenness of the radial temperature distribution increased along the flow direction, and the wake swing effect caused by the sweeping flow of the tube bundle at the exit position was evident. The results of this study provide reference and a coupled simulation method for the engineering design and thermal-hydraulic characteristics analysis of OTSG.

NUMERICAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TSCHOEGL–CHANG–BLOCH NONLINEAR VISCOELASTIC CONSTITUTIVE LAW FOR UNVULCANIZED CARBON BLACK–FILLED RUBBERS

ABSTRACT Rubber engineering design analysis requires a fundamental understanding of the mechanical behavior of polymers, especially in their unvulcanized state. It necessitates the establishment of a three-dimensional constitutive material to account for the observed mechanical behavior. This law is required to produce realistic descriptions of the viscoelastic performance in a mathematically simple form that is easy to implement in engineering applications. This article describes the theory of the Tschoegl–Chang–Bloch time-dependent nonlinear viscoelastic constitutive law. The experimental verification of this law is provided under different deformation fields and multiple load steps. Laboratory test procedures to obtain the parameters required to describe the material under consideration are provided in detail. A recursive form of the constitutive law, suitable for finite element application, is derived and coded in the finite element commercial code Abaqus via the user subroutine UMAT. Comparisons between the experimental observations, the theoretical results, and the numerical data are drawn for simple test models examined under creep or shear relaxation conditions. The excellent agreements observed indicate the suitability of the governing law in analyzing viscoelastic problems of unvulcanized carbon black–filled rubbers.

Design and safety features of SALUS-100: A long fuel-cycled Sodium-cooled fast reactor

The paper introduces the innovative development of an SFR-based Small Modular Reactor (SMR) known as SALUS-100, with a 100 MWe electrical output, developed by KAERI. This innovative design, derived from the previous TRU transmutation burner SFR concept, represents a significant step forward in establishing a new model for SMRs and offers diverse applications, including on– and off-grid electricity generation, district heating, and industrial heat supply. The reactor features of SALUS-100 incorporate an integrated pool-type primary system configuration and a long fuel-cycle core concept with a metallic alloy nuclear fuel. Its design concept prioritizes preventing severe accidents by capitalizing on the inherent safety and reliability features achieved through emphasizing passive design characteristics. The paper describes the engineering design and safety analyses of SALUS-100, highlighting advanced design concepts in reactor core, fuel, materials, and systems. Additionally, the key research and development endeavors, focusing on vital areas such as enhancing system design capability, validating designs, demonstrating safety, and innovating in metal fuel technology, are briefly discussed, emphasizing the potential of SALUS-100 in revolutionizing the SMR market and utilizing efficient nuclear energy in the future.

Fast flow field prediction of three-dimensional hypersonic vehicles using an improved Gaussian process regression algorithm

Conducting large-scale numerical computations to obtain flow field during the hypersonic vehicle engineering design phase can be excessively costly. Although deep learning algorithms enable rapid flow field prediction with high-precision, they require a significant investment in training samples, contradicting the motivation of reducing the cost of acquiring flow field. The combination of feature extraction algorithms and regression algorithms can also achieve high-precision prediction of flow fields, which is more suitable to tackle three-dimensional flow prediction with a small dataset. In this study, we propose a reduced-order model (ROM) for the three-dimensional hypersonic vehicle flow prediction utilizing proper orthogonal decomposition to extract representative features and Gaussian process regression with improved automatic kernel construction (AKC-GPR) to perform a nonlinear mapping of physical features for prediction. The selection of variables is based on sensitivity analysis and modal assurance criterion. The underlying relationship is unveiled between flow field variables and inflow conditions. The ROM exhibits high predictive accuracy, with mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of total field less than 3.5%, when varying altitudes and Mach numbers. During angle of attack variations, the ROM only effectively reconstructs flow distribution by interpolation with a MAPE of 7.02%. The excellent small-sample fitting capability of our improved AKC-GPR algorithm is demonstrated by comparing with original AKC-GPRs with a maximum reduction in a MAPE of 35.28%. These promising findings suggest that the proposed ROM can serve as an effective approach for rapid and accurate vehicle flow predicting, enabling its application in engineering design analysis.

NUMERICAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TSCHOEGL–CHANG–BLOCH NONLINEAR VISCOELASTIC CONSTITUTIVE LAW FOR UNVULCANIZED CARBON BLACK–FILLED RUBBERS

ABSTRACT Rubber engineering design analysis requires a fundamental understanding of the mechanical behavior of polymers, especially in their unvulcanized state. It necessitates the establishment of a three-dimensional constitutive material to account for the observed mechanical behavior. This law is required to produce realistic descriptions of the viscoelastic performance in a mathematically simple form that is easy to implement in engineering applications. This article describes the theory of the Tschoegl–Chang–Bloch time-dependent nonlinear viscoelastic constitutive law. The experimental verification of this law is provided under different deformation fields and multiple load steps. Laboratory test procedures to obtain the parameters required to describe the material under consideration are provided in detail. A recursive form of the constitutive law, suitable for finite element application, is derived and coded in the finite element commercial code Abaqus via the user subroutine UMAT. Comparisons between the experimental observations, the theoretical results, and the numerical data are drawn for simple test models examined under creep or shear relaxation conditions. The excellent agreements observed indicate the suitability of the governing law in analyzing viscoelastic problems of unvulcanized carbon black–filled rubbers.

ЗАСТОСУВАННЯ МЕТОДУ РОЮ ЧАСТОК В ОПТИМІЗАЦІЙНИХ ЗАДАЧАХ ЕНЕРГЕТИКИ

The article considers the application of the particle swarm method in energy domain. The problem of effective load distribution of energy-generating capacities under the conditions of minimum fuel consumption is one of those that arises most often. The economic expediency of the operation of one or another power plant at the appropriate capacity determines the distribution of generating capacities in the power system. It is no secret that power units of thermal power plants, which were built in different time periods, differ in their cost characteristics. This makes it necessary to find optimal configurations of the power system, in which the relevant energy objects are involved. Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is a computational optimization method inspired by the social behavior of birds in a flock or fish in a shoal. This method was first proposed by Kennedy and Eberhart in 1995. In PSO, a population of possible solutions, called particles, moves through the search space according to a set of mathematical rules. The motion of each particle affects its own bestknown position and the global best-known position of the entire population. The basic idea is that each particle adjusts its position based on its own experience and that of the entire swarm. This correction takes place with the help of two main components: 1. Cognitive component (personal best result): The particle remembers the best solution it found before. 2. Social component (global best result): A particle also takes into account the best solution found by any other particle in the swarm. These components are used to update the particle's velocity and position iteratively, with the goal of converging to an optimal solution. PSO is widely used in various optimization problems, including engineering design, robotics, finance, and data analysis. It is known for its simplicity, ease of implementation, and ability to solve non-linear, non-convex optimization problems. However, like any optimization algorithm, its performance can be sensitive to the parameters and the nature of the problem to be solved. The article solves a typical problem of distributing the total load between two thermal power plants under the conditions of minimum fuel consumption. The obtained values of the solutions confirm commonly known the statements about the achievement of adequate indicators in the range from 10 to 30 particles, in our case - 20.Analyzing the obtained results, one can see that the objective function changes almost linearly from the very beginning until the 30th iteration, after which the improvement in the result is almost imperceptible. The main reason is that at this moment the result of the algorithm is as close as possible to the reference value, namely 250. That is, in fact, it can be considered that the solution comes at the 31st iteration. Carrying out a comparison with the solution of such a problem using the genetic algorithm from the previous work, it can be seen that when solving such a problem, the algorithms demonstrate similar performance with comparable accuracy of the result. From the above studies, it can be concluded that evolutionary algorithms can be used to solve similar energy problems.

Numerical Simulation Analysis of Wellbore Integrity and Casing Damage in High-Temperature Injection and Production of Shale Oil

Shale oil represents a relatively new form of unconventional oil and gas resource, and the extensive exploration and development of shale oil resources carry significant implications for China’s oil and gas supply and demand dynamics. At present, within the realm of low-maturity shale oil extraction technologies, the reservoir must be subjected to elevated temperatures ranging between 400 to 60 °C. Prolonged exposure of wellbores to such high temperatures can result in a substantial decrease in cement strength, the formation of microcracks due to cement cracking, and damage stemming from thermal stresses on the casing. Casing damage stands out as a prominent factor contributing to wellbore integrity failures and well shutdowns within the context of shale oil development. Given the limited natural energy reservoirs of shale oil formations, it becomes necessary to supplement the reservoir’s energy during the development process. Furthermore, shale oil exhibits high viscosity and poor flowability, and conventional water injection methods yield limited efficacy. This situation can induce significant shifts in the stress field and rock mechanical parameters, potentially activating specific formations and complicating the load dynamics on the casing. Consequently, the risk of failure increases. In light of these considerations, this study uses numerical simulations to study the integrity of high-temperature injection and production wellbores in shale oil and aims to encompass a comprehensive evaluation and analysis of the principal factors that influence casing damage, the fluctuations in thermal stress, and the yield strength of various steel grades of casings exposed to alternating stress conditions. Subsequently, this paper developed a model for simulating the temperature and pressure within shale oil and steam injection wellbores to support engineering design analysis. The research results indicate that the application of pre-stress results in a significant increase in stress at the casing pipe head while causing a noticeable decrease in stress within the pipe wall. When N80 casing is used, the entire casing experiences thermal stresses surpassing the casing’s yield limit. Stress concentration may arise at both ends of the external seal, potentially leading to casing contraction, shear failure, and, under non-uniform stress conditions, casing bending deformation. The temperature of steam injection significantly influences the temperature field of the casing wall, with stress values experiencing a marked reduction when the steam injection temperature decreases from 350 °C to 200 °C, underscoring the substantial impact of temperature on casing thermal stress. As the steam injection process advances along with injection-production cycles, shear stresses at the interface can exceed the bond strength, resulting in relative slippage between the cement and the casing. The bonding force between the wellbore and the cement primarily depends on the interface’s friction, particularly in the context of friction during wellhead lifting. This study endeavors to determine rational injection and production parameters under varying conditions, optimize completion methods, reduce casing damage, and extend the casing’s operational life; it aims to offer critical technical support for the safe and efficient development of shale oil resources.

Applications of Nonlinear Analysis in Engineering Design

Nonlinear analysis plays a pivotal role in modern engineering design by addressing complex behaviors that linear models cannot capture. This article explores the mathematical foundations, methodologies, and real-world applications of nonlinear analysis, emphasizing its crucial role in optimizing and enhancing the design of complex engineering systems.

CFD Modeling of Phase Change during the Flashing-Induced Instability in a Natural Circulation Circuit

Flashing-induced instability (FII) has a significant impact on the safe operation of a natural circulation circuit, a phenomenon frequently encountered in the cooling systems of advanced light water reactors. While one-dimensional system codes are commonly used for the engineering design and safety analysis of FII, there is a strong academic interest in understanding the underlying physical mechanisms. To address this, high-resolution computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations serve as a valuable tool. However, the current state of CFD modeling for two-phase flows with phase change, which are particularly highly transient fluctuating flashing flows, is still in its early stages of development. In this study, we establish a CFD model that focuses on interphase heat transfer to analyze the phase change during FII. By incorporating experimental data from the literature, we investigate the transient flow field and thermodynamic behavior in the riser of the GENEVA test facility. The study provides valuable insights into the non-equilibrium and interfacial transfer phenomena during the phase change as well as the effect of high-frequency fluctuation. Additionally, we discuss in detail the challenges associated with FII modeling and the limitations of the current model. We also provide suggestions for potential improvements in future numerical studies. The results show that the thermal phase change and heat transfer coefficient model adopted for the simulation reasonably captures the evaporation and condensation process. However, it tends to under-predict the evaporation rate, which results in a larger pressure drop through the riser. The observation that the void fraction close to the wall is higher than that in the riser center evidences that the reliable modeling of bubble size distribution as well as the inclusion of non-drag forces are important for predicting the transverse void distribution. Furthermore, it reveals that both the temperature and pressure change in an FII, and their effects on phase change should be taken into account simultaneously.

Up-Tube Heat Exchanger Engineering Design and Heat Transfer Analysis

In the coking process, a large amount of 750℃-800℃ coke-oven gas is produced, and the traditional process is to use circulating water spray to cool the coke-oven gas instantly to 80-90℃, and the sensible heat of the coke-oven gas is wasted. In order to recover sensible heat of coke-oven gas reliably and stably, this paper puts forward a kind of uptube heat exchanger for sensible heat recovery of coke-oven gas based on the problems existing in the past heat exchanger and the characteristics of coke-oven gas itself, and analyzes the heat transfer process equation of heat exchanger.

Engineering Design, Kinematic and Dynamic Analysis of High Lugs Rigid Driving Wheel, a Traction Device for Conventional Agricultural Wheeled Tractors

Traction failure on loose terrain is common in conventional agricultural wheeled tractors due to poor traction ability and lower power transfer efficiency of drive wheels, which leads to excessive energy consumption and soil compaction in agriculture. To overcome the problem, this paper presents a new design of a rigid lugged wheel for use in field tillage operations. This wheel was designed according to field operational requirements and also provided with rubber pads for smooth on-road drives. Kinematic and dynamic analysis of new wheel designs were carried out to study how they move, how they interact with the soil, and how they generate drive force in loose terrain soil. The relationship of wheel lug motion trajectories, displacement, and velocity of the wheel relative to field conditions, different travel reduction rates, and lug penetration/wheel sinkage were analyzed. Wheel-terrain interaction and shear stress-shear displacement relationships when the wheel is driven in soft, deformable terrain were studied using classic soil mechanics principles. It is found that the component of thrust in the direction of driving, i.e., driving force, is ranged between 81.52% and 86.17%, while the vertical component is reported to be less than 30% and further decreases to 9%, which is the compaction avoiding factor. The relationships, thus developed, of wheel parameters, soil stress and thrust characteristics, and wheel drive force were derived and revealed that the traction performance, power transfer efficiency, and trafficability of tractors in loose terrain can be improved by using the newly proposed wheel. A finite element method was used to analyze the designed wheel model for structural stability and optimization. The theoretical analysis results of the new drive wheel are convincing, so further tests and field operation research are recommended for sustainable adoption.

Evaluating the dynamic response and failure process of a rock slope under pulse-like ground motions

Earthquake-induced landslides represent a significant proportion of seismic hazards in mountainous areas. Numerous slope stability analysis methods exist; however, only a few consider the interactions between pulselike seismic waves and landslides. This study investigates the seismic response characteristics of a homogenous step-like slope to evaluate the acceleration ground motion amplification along the surface. Parametric analysis focusing on the effect of pulselike waves on the slope is conducted using the finite difference modeling code Flac 3 D. Based on the numerical simulation results, pulselike seismic waves greatly influence the acceleration and velocity amplification factor (MPGA & MPGV), with maximum amplification usually obtained at the slope’s crest, where sliding failure initiates. The MPGV of rock slope under pulselike seismic waves is 9.3% higher than near-fault non-pulselike and 16% higher than the far-fault. The displacement for pulselike seismic waves is 20% higher than non-pulselike waves. The dynamic failure analysis presented deep failure for the slope under pulselike seismic wave compared to the non-pulselike. The dynamic failure calculated using Flac 3 D agrees with the results of Newmark-type displacement, with a marginal error between 1 and 8%. The study’s findings can be factored into reinforcing seismic engineering design and probabilistic stability analysis.

Editorial

The Italian Association for Stress Analysis (AIAS) was founded in 1971 by researchers from academia, research centers, and industry. AIAS was intended as a community where to discuss, share, and develop scientific knowledge related to all technical aspects of stress analysis. In the years, from an initial focus on experimental techniques, AIAS contributed considerably to the development of modern numerical methods and computational techniques for mechanical engineering design. In 2015, AIAS turned in the Italian Scientific Society of Mechanical Engineering Design.Today, AIAS is an institutional partner that supports the instances from academia in the subject area of mechanical engineering design. Every year, AIAS organizes a technical conference offering the possibility to present research updates, share new ideas, and foster collaborations. The AIAS conference has become a fundamental event for all those interested in current developments in mechanical engineering design and stress analysis, where to meet researchers, testing equipment, and software developers.The 51st AIAS Conference edition was held in Padova, Italy again in presence after two years of online-only events due to the COVID-19 pandemic.The response of researchers and students has been outstanding: over 200 oral contributions have been presented during the three days of the conference, with four parallel sessions. In addition to the thematic sessions on AIAS traditional subjects, special sessions on additive manufacturing, energy methods for structural analysis, circular design in mechanical engineering, and mechanical behavior under extreme conditions, have been successfully organized with the contribution of the AIAS technical committees.Among all contributions presented at the conference, 48 have been selected to be published after peer review, in this volume. This was made possible thanks to the active participation of all AIAS members, to the work of the AIAS Scientific Committee and Conference Papers Review panel (Profs Giovanni Meneghetti, AIAS Scientific Coordinator, Luciano Afferrante, Francesco Bucchi, Filippo Cianetti, Enrico Armentani, Marco Sasso). Their outstanding contribution is gratefully acknowledged. Disclaimer AIAS2022 Conference was held in presence on Sept. 7-10, 2022. Presentations were arranged in four parallel sessions with a time slot of 15 min assigned to each presenter. Approximately 250 participants attended the conference during the three days event. All sessions have been continuously monitored by the organizers to provide technical support. The conference ran smoothly, and the participants’ feedback was very positive.

Mixcoatl Software (Part 1): Coupled Thermal Physics and Mechanics for Efficient Engineering Design

As numerical methods and computational capacities improve, there is a greater ability to leverage more complicated physics for engineering design analyses. The primary objectives of this new modeling tool are to (1) implement medium-fidelity physics within a framework that allows for the combination of simplified modeling accuracy with detailed physics tools and (2) enable postprocessing analytics that reduce time to design. These types of tools are considered a requirement to ensure modern designs are not constrained by the tools themselves. One of the novel features of this software is flow searching, which simultaneously resolves the mesh and determines flow parameters that will allow for achieving either pressure equalization or isothermal exit conditions among user-defined groupings of channels. A space nuclear propulsion example using MixcoatlTM has been included to illustrate the use of this feature.