Using Ansys Mechanical to analyze and improve the behavior of Storz coupling
Written by Lorena Deleanu & George Ojoc
Universitatea „Dunărea de Jos” din Galați
Universitatea Dunărea de Jos din Galați, established in 1974, is a important public university in Galați, Romania. It offers diverse programs in engineering, sciences, humanities, social sciences, and economics. The engineering department is particularly renowned for its advanced research and industry partnerships. Known for its research and innovation, the university collaborates with industry and international institutions, providing a dynamic academic environment and modern facilities for students.
Task Description
At Universitatea „Dunărea de Jos” din Galați, the research team focused on advancing the understanding and optimization of mechanical components used in critical applications. A key research project aimed to analyze and improve the mechanical behavior of Storz couplings, which are essential in firefighting due to their durability and ability to withstand high-pressure water flow. This FEM analysis was carried out by Professor Lorena Deleanu and George Ghiocel Ojoc, her former PhD student, now an engineer (PhD) at Autonomous Flight Technologies, Cliceni. The primary challenge was to accurately predict stress and strain distributions under various loading conditions in order to improve the design, safety, and performance of these components.
Pic. 1:A simplified isothermal model of the Storz coupling
Solution
Working with Ansys, Universitatea „Dunărea de Jos” din Galați used Ansys Explicit Dynamics to simulate the mechanical behavior of these couplings. The key solution involved the creation of a detailed finite element model that included the following steps:
Developing a simplified isothermal model of the Storz coupling, focusing on the interaction between two half-couplings.
Use of a finer discretization mesh to accurately capture stress concentrations.
Implement a material model based on the AlSi5Cu1Mg alloy, including experimental data on material properties.
Apply boundary conditions and vary loading forces to simulate different operational scenarios.
Performed static analyses to determine von Mises stress distributions and elastic, plastic, and total strains.
Pic. 2: Elastic strain distribution
Benefits
- Operational efficiency: The use of Ansys simulations reduced the need for extensive physical testing, saving time and resources
- Cost savings: The ability to simulate different scenarios and identify optimal design parameters prior to manufacturing reduced material waste and testing costs.
- Enhanced research capabilities: This capability raised the university's research profile and attracted more collaborative projects.
- Innovation and reliability: The detailed analysis of stress and strain distributions ensured that the designed components met safety standards and performed reliably under various conditions.
Pic. 3: Simulation of a hook break point