Torsion Test Sub-team Project Proposal

Torsion Test Sub-team Project Proposal

Project Team-

Ian Johnsen

-Autocad, Creo, Solidworks

Steve Trevillyan

-Solidworks,

Ivan Tapia

-Welding, Auto cad, inventor,

Christopher Fong

-Autocad, creo, C++, Java,

Responsibilities-

Ian Johnsen is project manager. We will be collaboratively working on each element of the design and testing process since we are a group of 4.

Proposal narrative-

1)   Design a five foot long, half scale model of guideway track. The track design must be as close to final specification as possible while also taking into account the possibility of future changes to the design such as the addition of wayside power.

1. Collaborate with mentors to understand what progress has been made in the track design since last year’s project.
2. Collaborate with other sub-teams to incorporate any of their design changes, such as the addition of wayside power or mounts for solar panels.
3. Check the CEE torsion tester in order to see how the track specimen will be mounted into the tester.
4. Design test track using Solidworks, while taking into account the above three points.

2)   Analyze the proposed guideway design using the finite element analysis program ANSYS.

1. The design must be tested for maximum stress and deflection under normal loading conditions.
2. Perform a fatigue failure analysis on the track section using maximum stress results.
3. Redesign track and redo ANSYS test if performance is unsatisfactory.

3)   Test using CEE torsion tester.

1. Collaborate with the civil engineering department to set up test, including proper sensors.
2. Perform torsion test and record data.

4)   Analyze data to find potential improvements in design and redesign based on findings.

1. Analyze torsion and ANSYS results to see where track design can be further improved.
2. Perform an ANSYS test on the redesigned track.
3. Finalize track design

Sketches or drawings-

How current guideway design can be improved:

Deflection test of double sided test guideway
[Ornelas... "Spartan Superway" 2015]

After observing the FEA deflection test from the previous year’s project, we believe their design can be modified to improve performance. The maximum deflection can be lessened by adding another cross beam on the side sections where the orange arrow is. We believe this will also increase maximum weight capacity and increase the number of cycles before fatigue failure occurs. This idea was inspired by suspension roller coasters, which utilize a main beam to support the two running rails. This is shown in the photo below.

Suspension roller coaster track
[Ornelas... "Spartan Superway" 2015]

Additionally, the track design can be improved by increasing the strength of the steel bars that connect the tracks to the top platform.

Critical Path Schedule-

9-16-2015: Have extensive knowledge of last year’s design of guideway system and work done over the summer by mentors and grad students. Collaborate with others working on guideway design.

9-23-2015: Research preliminary potential changes that may improve last year’s designed guide way, including incorporating the designs of mentors. Model these changes into design using CAD software.

10-7-2015: Collaborate with other teams that have mechanisms that may affect guide way design. Learn ANSYS.

10-21-2015: Model and test using ansys.

11-18-2015: Finalize design changes based on tests and redesign if necessary.

12-8-2015: Start building 5 foot full scale guide way to be tested in CEE Torsion Tester.

Budget-

Roughly $1000 based on pricing from last year’s report.

References:

Iron Dragon. (n.d.). Retrieved September 14, 2015, from https://www.cedarpoint.com/rides/Roller-Coasters/Iron-Dragon

Ornelas, D., Cordero, J., Dutra, K., Tank, V., & Yee, M. (2015, May 21). Spartan Superway: A solar powered automated public transportation system. Retrieved September 14, 2015.