One-way Coupled Analysis Research Articles

Topology optimization of stationary fluid–structure interaction problems considering a natural frequency constraint for vortex-induced vibrations attenuation

Topology optimization applied to fluid–structure interaction problems is challenging because the physical phenomenon in real engineering applications is usually transient and strongly coupled. This leads to costly solutions for the forward and adjoint problems, the computational bottleneck of the topology optimization method. Thus, this paper proposes a topology optimization problem formulated in the steady state with post-processing and verification in the transient state. The objective is to design a stiff structure with lower effects of vibrations induced by the transient fluid vortices. For that, the compliance minimization problem is solved subject to a natural frequency constraint (without any volume constraint). The TOBS-GT (Topology Optimization of Binary Structures with geometry trimming) method is used to solve the problem. To observe the vortex-shedding around the structure, a transient simulation is performed considering an incompressible fluid flow under a laminar regime and the structure subject to large displacements. For topology optimization, the fluid flow is at a steady state and the structure is modeled considering small displacements, i.e., a one-way coupled analysis. The finite element method is used to solve the governing equations and obtain the direct/adjoint sensitivities for the compliance and natural frequency functions. In this approach, the natural frequency of the structure is shifted away from the fluid flow vortex-shedding frequency, avoiding resonance. Numerical examples show that the proposed method can be effectively applied to design 2D structures in FSI problems with lower effects of Flow-Induced Vibration, attenuating the levels of displacement at the analyzed points of the structure.

Computational evaluation of flight performance of flapping-wing nano air vehicles using hierarchical coupling of nonlinear dynamic and fluid-structure interaction analyses

This study endeavours to introduce an inventive hierarchical coupling methodology for evaluating the flight capabilities of polymer micromachined flapping-wing nano air vehicles (FWNAVs) using advanced computational tools. Furthermore, our objective is to provide a practical demonstration of FWNAVs in both tethered and airborne scenarios. These dual objectives represent the distinctive and pioneering aspects of this research. Such FWNAVs, which are insect-inspired robots, have a 2.5-dimensional structure. An FWNAV comprises a micro piezoelectric drive system and a pair of micro thin flexible wings. The drive system includes a micro transmission and a piezoelectric bimorph actuator. The flight performance of the designed FWNAV is evaluated using a hierarchical coupling approach, where the whole system is decomposed into a micro wing and a micro piezoelectric drive system. The coupling between these parts is modelled as one-way coupling and that between the micro wings and the surrounding air is modelled as strong coupling. In the one-way coupling analysis, nonlinear structural dynamic analysis is conducted for the micro piezoelectric drive system, where the dynamic response is transmitted to the micro wings via the Dirichlet boundary condition. In the strong coupling analysis, strongly coupled fluid-structure interaction analysis is conducted for the micro wings and the surrounding air to consider their strong coupling. The optimisation of flight performance is conducted using fluid-structure interaction analysis to achieve sufficient lift force to support the weight of an FWNAV. The design of a tethered and flyable FWNAV with a size of 10 mm or smaller is demonstrated. This FWNAV can be easily fabricated using polymer micromachining.

Comparison between one- and two-way coupling approaches for estimating effective transport properties of suspended particles undergoing Brownian sieving hydrodynamic chromatography

Simplified one-way coupling approaches are often used to model transport properties of diluted particle suspensions for predicting the performance of microcapillary hydrodynamic chromatography (MHDC). Recently, a one-way coupling approach was exploited to optimize the geometry and operating conditions of an unconventional double-channel geometry with a square cross section, where a Brownian sieving mechanism acting alongside the MHDC separation drive (BS-MHDC) is enforced to boost separation resolution. In this article, a cylindrical geometry enforcing the same BS-MHDC separation drive is thoroughly investigated by following a two-way coupling, fully three-dimensional approach, and results are compared with those obtained enforcing the one-way coupling analysis. Device geometry and operating conditions are optimized by maximizing the separation resolution. The effective velocity and dispersion coefficient of spherical, finite-sized particles of different diameters are computed, and two-phase effects are discussed in detail. Similar to the square channel device, the cylindrical double-channel geometry allows for a sizable reduction in the column length and in the analysis time (a factor above 12 for the length and a factor larger than 3 for the processing time) when compared to the standard MHDC configuration ensuring the same separation resolution. As expected, the one-way coupling approach overestimates the separation performance of both the BS-MHDC and the standard MHDC devices with respect to the two-way coupling analysis. But, surprisingly, the enhancement factor of the BS-MHDC over the standard MHDC is underestimated by the single-phase approximation as it doubles when wall/particle interactions are properly accounted for with a two-phase description.

Proposal of analysis method of global-local finite element method for finite strain elastic-plastic fracture mechanics analysis

The purpose of this study is to make it possible to perform a large number of paratric analyzes on the position and shape of cracks under finite elasto-plastic deformation. In this report, we propose a one-way coupled analysis method using displacement interpolation between a global finite element method analysis model created without assuming cracks and a local finite element method analysis model assuming cracks. The proposed method is based on the superconvergent patch recovery, and uses the least-squares method to apply the nodal displacements of the global finite element model to the nodes of the local finite element model as displacement boundary conditions. In addition, we will create an merged finite element method analysis model assuming a crack directly in the global finite element method analysis model and identify the application conditions that can be applied to the problem without loss of accuracy through relative comparison by J-integral calculation at the crack tip which is nonlinear fracture mechanics parameter.

Fluid-Structure Interaction on The Design of Fully Assembled Shell Eco-Marathon (SEM) Prototype Car

To achieve high fuel efficiency, vehicles designs are inclined to choose lightweight materials and structures. However, these structures are generally weak, and structural integrity is a common concern. The purpose of this paper is to carry out fluid-structure interaction (FSI) study in one-way coupling analysis on a Shell Eco Marathon (SEM) prototype car which travels in a low-speed range to analyse its structural response. A new set of economical materials is proposed and analysed with the concern on self-fabrication process. The Flax fibre composite is introduced as a part of the proposed material set due to its environmental and economic advantages. The study herein is purely a numerical simulation work as a first approach to design a sustainable SEM prototype car. The fully assembled SEM prototype car was analysed with the proposed materials with ANSYS Workbench in the coupling of the fluid (ANSYS Fluent) and structural solver (ANSYS Mechanical) in a one-way FSI. Even with a thin shell design, the proposed material only experiences minimum deformations. The simulations also reveal that the maximum von-Mises stress experienced, after considered the safety factor, is still several order lower than the yield strength. This study has confirmed that the car design has fulfilled its structural requirements to operate at the design speed.

Ship Airwakes in Waves and Motions and Effects on Helicopter Operation

Insight into the effects of motions and waves on a ship airwake can be used to provide information regarding safe conditions for at sea flight operations and pilot training. We present a study on the effects of waves and motions on a ship's airwake and a helicopter operating above the flight deck using full scale computational fluid dynamics simulations. The ONR Tumblehome Ship (ONRT) geometry is analyzed in wind and regular head waves corresponding to nominal sea states 3 and 6. In order to separate the effects of waves and motions, simulations are conducted for both sea states with combinations of: waves and motions, waves and no motions, no waves with motions, and no motions or waves. A triple velocity decomposition is conducted in order to quantify changes in the airwake due to motions and waves. The aerodynamic loads on a helicopter hovering in the airwake are studied with one-way and two-way coupling approaches. The one-way coupled analysis uses the velocity field data from the full scale airwake simulations along with disk actuator theory to calculate thrust fluctuations for three different rotor sizes operating above the flight deck. In the two-way coupled study a helicopter loosely based on the Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk hovering above the flight deck of the ONRT is simulated, including dynamic overset grids of the main rotor, tail rotor and fuselage. This approach captures the interaction between the rotor downwash and the ONRT airwake. The study shows that for the lower sea state 3 the motions and waves have little effect on the airwake behavior, exhibiting little change with respect to the baseline case without motions and waves. At sea state 6 the flow field is modified significantly, which also affects the forces on the helicopter. Force fluctuations show main peaks at the wave encounter frequency and the blade passage frequency, as well as higher harmonics. The one-way coupling approach shows that larger rotors effectively filter out small scale fluctuations while smaller diameter rotors are affected by smaller flow structures.

Numerical investigation of purge gas flow through binary-sized pebble beds using discrete element method and computational fluid dynamics

Abstract The main function of the breeder materials, such as Li2TiO3, Li4SiO4, and Li2ZrO3, in a solid type breeding blanket is to produce tritium, which is transferred to the fuel cycle system by helium purge gas and is used as a fuel for nuclear fusion reactions. Since the configuration of the breeder should be designed considering the purge gas flow, the form of pebble beds is mainly adopted, thereby leading to the smooth flow inside a blanket. The flow characteristics can be important design drivers because they also affect the design of the fuel cycle system. In order to increase a tritium production rate, a large number of breeders should be placed in the same space and various sizes of pebbles instead of one size of pebbles can be thus applied to increase the packing fraction of pebble beds. In this case, however, the flow resistance may increase and hence the relationship between the pebble bed configuration and the purge gas flow should be carefully investigated. In this study, a computational framework for one-way coupling analysis of the discrete element method and computational fluid dynamics is established to simulate the purge gas flow through binary-sized pebble beds. The configurations of pebble beds are obtained using the discrete element method and their geometries are modified by smoothing the sharp circular edges at the contact points of pebbles to construct proper meshes for computational fluid dynamics simulations. The flow resistance of binary-sized pebble beds is then investigated in terms of the pressure drop in the breeding zone.

Thermal-fluid and electromagnetic coupling analysis and test of a traction motor for electric vehicles

This paper proposes a multi-phasic coupling analysis and test of a 50 kW traction motor for electric vehicles. The temperature-dependent properties of the electrical and magnetic materials of the interior permanent magnet traction motor are not negligible over a wide operation range of the vehicle. The heat produced by the electromagnetic power loss changes the motor’s properties, and in turn the motor performance changes to produce a different power loss. This two-way coupled electromagnetic and thermal-fluid analysis of the torque and speed curve and the transient thermal response at a rated operation point are simulated and compared with the traditional one-way coupling analysis. The simulation results are also compared with and proved by experiments on a prototype motor. The experimental results show that it is critical and necessary to predict the motor performance by means of the proposed two-way coupling analysis that provides more accurate information than the traditional one-way coupling analysis.

Coupled Analysis of Thermo-Fluid-Flexible Multi-body Dynamics of a Two-Dimensional Engine Nozzle

Various components of an engine nozzle are modeled as flexible multi-body components that are operated under high temperature and pressure. In this paper, in order to predict complex behavior of an engine nozzle, thermo-fluid-flexible multibody dynamics coupled analysis framework was developed. Temperature and pressure on the nozzle wall were obtained by the steady-state flow analysis for a two-dimensional nozzle. The pressure and temperature-dependent material properties were delivered to the flexible multi-body dynamics analysis. Then the deflection and strain distribution for a nozzle configuration was obtained. Heat conduction and thermal analyses were done using MSC.NASTRAN. The present framework was validated for a simple nozzle configuration by using a one-way coupled analysis. A two-way coupled analysis was also performed for the simple nozzle with an arbitrary joint clearance, and an asymmetric flow was observed. Finally, the total strain result for a realistic nozzle configuration was obtained using the one-way and two-way coupled analyses.

Comparison of one-way and two-way coupled analyses of electromagnetic machines considering magnetic and structural interactions

We compared one-way and two-way coupled analyses of electromagnetic machines considering magnetic and structural interaction to identify the frequency components of magnetic excitation and to determine the structural coupling effects predicted only by the two-way coupled analysis. We developed finite element models of a C-core switch and an electric motor. In the two-way coupled analysis method, the magnetic force calculated by using the Maxwell stress tensor was applied to the structural finite element model to determine the elastic deformation, and the magnetic finite element model was rearranged by means of the moving mesh method to represent the structural elastic deformation. We showed that two-way coupled analysis predicted the excitation frequency of 80 Hz (4 times the input current frequency) of magnetic force in the C-core switch and the excitation frequency of 667 Hz (the first natural frequency of the rotor, corresponding to the translational mode) of magnetic force in the electric motor undergoing rotor eccentricity. We showed that two-way coupled analysis predicted magnetic excitation and its corresponding structural response more accurately than the one-way coupled analysis, especially for electromagnetic machines in which the structural deformation affects magnetic field through variation of the air gap length.

Numerical investigation of hyperelastic wall deformation characteristics in a micro-scale stenotic blood vessel

Stenosis is the drastic reduction of blood vessel diameter because of cholesterol accumulation in the vessel wall. In addition to the changes in blood flow characteristics, significant changes occur in the mechanical behavior of a stenotic blood vessel. We conducted a 3-D study of such behavior in micro-scale blood vessels by considering the fluid structure interaction between blood flow and vessel wall structure. The simulation consisted of one-way coupled analysis of blood flow and the resulting structural deformation without a moving mesh. A commercial code based on a finite element method with a hyperelastic material model (Neo-Hookean) of the wall was used to calculate wall deformation. Three different cases of stenosis severity and aspect ratios with and without muscles around the blood vessel were considered. The results showed that the wall deformation in a stenotic channel is directly related to stenosis severity and aspect ratio. The presence of muscles reduces the degree of deformation even in very severe stenosis.

Coupled particle–fluid transport and magnetic separation in microfluidic systems with passive magnetic functionality

A study is presented of coupled particle–fluid transport and field-directed particle capture in microfluidic systems with passive magnetic functionality. These systems consist of a microfluidic flow cell on a substrate that contains embedded magnetic elements. Two systems are considered that utilize soft- and hard-magnetic elements, respectively. In the former, an external field is applied to magnetize the elements, and in the latter, they are permanently magnetized. The field produced by the magnetized elements permeates into the flow cell giving rise to an attractive force on magnetic particles that flow through it. The systems are studied using a novel numerical/closed-form modelling approach that combines numerical transport analysis with closed-form field analysis. Particle–fluid transport is computed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD), while the magnetic force that governs particle capture is obtained in closed form. The CFD analysis takes into account dominant particle forces and two-way momentum transfer between the particles and the fluid. The two-way particle–fluid coupling capability is an important feature of the model that distinguishes it from more commonly used and simplified one-way coupling analysis. The model is used to quantify the impact of two-way particle–fluid coupling on both the capture efficiency and the flow pattern in the systems considered. Many effects such as particle-induced flow-enhanced capture efficiency and flow circulation are studied that cannot be predicted using one-way coupling analysis. In addition, dilute particle dispersions are shown to exhibit significant localized particle–fluid coupling near the capture regions, which contradicts the commonly held view that two-way coupling can be ignored when analysing high-gradient magnetic separation involving such particle systems. Overall, the model demonstrates that two-way coupling needs to be taken into account for rigorous predictions of capture efficiency, especially for applications involving high particle loading and/or low flow rates. It is computationally more efficient and accurate than purely numerical models and should prove useful for the rational design and optimization of novel magnetophoretic microsystems.

Study of Quantitative Numerical Prediction of Cavitation Erosion in Cavitating Flow

Cavitation erosion is a material damage phenomenon caused by the repeated application of impulsive pressure on a material surface induced by bubble collapse, and the establishment of a method by which to numerically predict cavitation erosion is desired. In the present study, a numerical quantitative prediction method of cavitation erosion in a cavitating flow is proposed. In the present method, a one-way coupled analysis of a cavitating flow field based on a gas-liquid two-phase Navier–Stokes equation (Eulerian) and bubbles in the cavitating flow by bubble dynamics (Lagrangian) is used to treat temporally and spatially different scale phenomena, such as the macroscopic phenomenon of a cavitating flow and the microscopic phenomenon of bubble collapse. Impulsive pressures acting on a material surface are evaluated based on the bubble collapse position, time, and intensity, and the erosion rate is quantitatively predicted using an existing material-dependent relationship between the impulsive energy (square of the impulsive force) and the maximum erosion rate. The erosion rate on a NACA0015 hydrofoil surface in an unsteady transient cavitating flow is predicted by the proposed method. The distribution of the predicted erosion rate corresponds qualitatively to the distribution of an experimental surface roughness increment of the same hydrofoil. Furthermore, the predicted erosion rate considering the bubble nuclei distribution is found to be of the same order of magnitude as the actual erosion rate, which indicates that considering bubble nuclei distribution is important for the prediction of cavitation erosion and that the present prediction method is valid to some degree.

Numerical Studies on Two-Way Coupled Fluid Flow and Geomechanics in Hydrate Deposits

Summary Coupled flow and geomechanics play an important role in the analysis of gas-hydrate reservoirs under production. The stiffness of the rock skeleton and the deformation of the reservoir, as well as porosity and permeability, are directly influenced by (and interrelated with) changes in pressure and temperature and in fluid-(water and gas) and solid-(hydrate and ice) phase saturations. Fluid and solid phases may coexist, which, coupled with steep temperature and pressure gradients, result in strong nonlinearities in the coupled flow and mechanics processes, making the description of system behavior in dissociating hydrate deposits exceptionally complicated. In previous studies, the geological stability of hydrate-bearing sediments was investigated using one-way coupled analysis, in which the changes in fluid properties affect mechanics within the gas-hydrate reservoirs, but with no feedback from geomechanics to fluid flow. In this paper, we develop and test a rigorous twoway coupling between fluid flow and geomechanics, in which the solutions from mechanics are reflected in the solution of the flow problem through the adjustment of affected hydraulic properties. We employ the fixed-stress split method, which results in a convergent sequential implicit scheme. In this study of several hydrate-reservoir cases, we find noticeable differences between the results from one- and two-way couplings. The nature of the elliptic boundary value problem of quasistatic mechanics results in instantaneous compaction or dilation over the domain through loading from reservoir-fluid production. This induces a pressure rise or drop at early times (low-pressure diffusion), and consequently changes the effective stress instantaneously, possibly causing geological instability. Additionally, the pressure and temperature regime affects the various phase saturations, the rock stiffness, porosity, and permeability, thus affecting the fluid-flow regime. These changes are not captured accurately by the simpler one-way coupling. The tightly coupled sequential approach we propose provides a rigorous, twoway coupling model that captures the interrelationship between geomechanical and flow properties and processes, accurately describes the system behavior, and can be readily applied to large-scale problems of hydrate behavior in geologic media.

Research on numerical method of flow-induced vibration on spiral casing structure of large-scale hydropower station

The water flow in turbine flow passage is one of the prime reasons that lead to the vibration of the spiral casing structure of large-scale hydropower station, and the fluid-structure interaction of the spiral casing structure is very complex. In this study, a numerical method it presented, which could simulate the vibration of spiral casing structure that caused by the water flow in turbine flow passage. The numerical simulation of 3-D unsteady turbulent flow through the flow passage of turbine model is accomplished by solving the N-S equations, and the flow fields of flow passage and dynamic water pressure on boundary are obtained. At the same time, the three-dimension finite element dynamic model of solid structure is established, which contain steel liner and concrete surrounding the spiral case. And then, the three-dimensional instantaneous analysis of solid are proceeded as well as the dynamic water pressure transfer real-time by user interface program on interface at which the fluid interacts with solid. The one-way coupling analysis between fluid and solid structure is realized, through which the stress field and displacement field of solid induced by water flow are obtained. At last, a case study of a spiral casing structure which located in a hydropower station in Yunnan Province is presented.

Thermo-mechanical modelling of a single-bead-on-plate weld using the finite element method

This work describes a three-dimensional thermo-mechanical finite element analysis of a single weld bead-on-plate of austenitic stainless steel performed as part of the NeT programme. The overall aim is to validate the use of finite element (FE) weld simulations to accurately predict residual stress states for use in the assessment of welded components. Here, the final residual stresses in the plate are predicted, which can later be verified through comparison with measured distributions. A one-way coupled analysis is carried out with the thermal and mechanical problems solved in sequence. For the thermal analysis, two approaches are adopted to simulate the welding process. In one case sections of the weld bead's elements are sequentially deposited, while in the other the whole bead is deposited simultaneously. A moving heat source is used to simulate the torch traversal over the weld bead in both cases. Predicted thermal profiles, residual stresses and equivalent plastic strains, due to the welding process are presented at certain locations in the plate.

105 構造・流体連成解析実用化の試み(関東支部 茨城講演会)

In recent years, it is expected that the fluid analysis not only predicting the fluid efficiency but also performing coupled analysis to have the structure analysis using the analysis results. But, there are many technical problems which are hard to solve, such as the accuracy of calculation for the fluid force which behaves statically and dynamically, and the level of coupled analysis. This report introduces experimental application of one-way coupled analysis to the structural response from the fluid.

Gas particle industrial flow simulation using RANSTAD

A turbulent gas particle finite-volume flow simulation of a representative coal classifier is presented. Typical values of the loading ratio permit a one-way coupling analysis. As a case study, the computational fluid dynamics code,ranstad, and the modelling aspects are discussed in some detail. The simulation indicates that small (≈ 30 µm) coal particles pass through the classifier to the furnace but that large (≈ 300 µm) particles are captured and remilled. The computational simulation indicates that the classifier performance can be improved by internal geometric modification.