Monolithic coupling of the pressure and rigid body motion equations in computational marine hydrodynamics

In Fluid Structure Interaction(FSI) problems encountered in marine hydrodynamics, the pressure field and the velocity of the rigid body are tightly coupled. This coupling is traditionally resolved in a partitioned manner by solving the rigid body motion equations once per nonlinear correction loop, updating the position of the body and solving the fluid flow equations in the new configuration. The partitioned approach requires a large number of nonlinear iteration loops per time–step. In order to enhance the coupling, a monolithic approach is proposed in Finite Volume(FV) framework,where the pressure equation and the rigid body motion equations are solved in a single linear system. The coupling is resolved by solving the rigid body motion equations once per linear solver iteration of the pressure equation, where updated pressure field is used to calculate new forces acting on the body, and by introducing the updated rigid body boundary velocity in to the pressure equation. In this paper the monolithic coupling is validated on a simple 2D heave decay case. Additionally, the method is compared to the traditional partitioned approach(i.e. "strongly coupled" approach) in terms of computational efficiency and accuracy. The comparison is performed on a seakeeping case in regular head waves, and it shows that the monolithic approach achieves similar accuracy with fewer nonlinear correctors per time–step. Hence, significant savings in computational time can be achieved while retaining the same level of accuracy.     

Investigation of Cavitation Process in Monotube Shock Absorber

The paper investigates cavitation effect which negatively influences the performance of a monotube shock absorber of road vehicle (passenger car). For better understanding of this phenomena, three physical models of shim stack valves are analyzed. Validation results allowed selecting the most appropriate valve model in presence of cavitation processes. A mathematical model of monotube damper with consideration of fluid compressibility and cavitation phenomena is developed. Simulation results are validated by experimental data obtained on hydraulic test rig. Based on the selected approach, a simplified method suitable for assessment of cavitation processes in automotive monotube shock absorbers is proposed. After investigation it is found that damping force when cavitation occurs mainly depends on the initial pressure and absorber inner diameter.     

A proposed simulation-based operational policy for cruise ships in the port of Kotor

This paper investigates the simulation modelling of cruise ship traffic in the Boka Kotorska Bay (BKB), which has become a very attractive cruise destination due to its geographic location, port features and attractiveness for tourism. The purpose of this paper is to examine the development of new port infrastructure, because of the increased cruise ship arrivals in recent years. The paper describes in detail the layout of the port of Kotor and the possibilities for quay extensions. The solution to minimize the number of ships at anchorage instead of being at berth is given, because the passengers of the latter ships have a more convenient approach towards the port. The simulation model is verified and the simulation results are validated against the real data prior to an investigation of the possible scenario for quay extension. The proposed solution confirms the preliminary survey results that initiated the investigation of possibilities to improve the port infrastructure. Moreover, simulation results point towards a significant improvement of cruise ships throughput in the BKB. The proposed operational policies and statistical analysis, as well as a comprehensive model analysis of the BKB provided here, are a good foundation for future investigations.     

Energy-harvesting potential of automobile suspension

This study is aimed quantify dissipated power in a damper of automobile suspension to predict energy harvesting potential of a passenger car more accurately. Field measurements of power dissipation in a regenerative damper are still rare. The novelty is in using the broad database of real road profiles, a 9 degrees-of-freedom full-car model with real parameters, and a tyre-enveloping contact model. Results were presented as a function of road surface type, velocity and road roughness characterised by International Roughness Index. Results were calculated for 1600 test sections of a total length about 253.5?km. Root mean square of a dissipated power was calculated from 19 to 46?W for all four suspension dampers and velocity 60?km/h and from 24 to 58?W for velocity 90?km/h. Results were compared for a full-car model with a tyre-enveloping road contact, full-car and quarter-car models with a tyre–road point contact. Mean difference among three models in calculated power was a few per cent.     

Numerical analysis of railway brake disc

A certain number of railway brake discs made of gray cast iron, showed the presence of small cracks only after a few thousand kilometers. To investigate main causes of a brake disc failure, numerical analysis was done by using ABAQUS software. Numerical analysis resulted from a physical model of heat flux in dependence of braking time. Physical model was applied considering all demands and presumptions given by industry representatives.     

Analysis of high dynamic car manoeuvres using two types of lever-arm correction

As navigation algorithms using Kalman filters, fuzzy or adaptive algorithms, interacting multiple model (IMM) algorithms and other possible solutions combining data from several sensors, have been progressively used in the last decade, there has been little advance in developing a robust and accurate device available for car manufacturers. The most solutions fail in long-term reliability and/or use too generalized linearization models. This is why in this paper we have examined some high dynamic manoeuvres which are usually a part of automotive tests. Some major issues during these manoeuvres were identified and a modified Kalman filter solution is presented. The problem of positioning of an inertial device within a vehicle is addressed and a transformation of measured data to the centre of gravity (COG) or rotation point (RP) of the vehicle is introduced. We also propose a few methods to identify the start and the stop of a brake test and show distance difference between conventional and modified Kalman algorithm during driving in circles. Finally, a direct and indirect lever-arm correction is introduced and real road tests are made to present an improvement in outputs using one-device sensor setup.