Analysis to ensure first-time pass during dynamic testing for defence

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PDL Engineering Group are world leaders in the application of advanced engineering software. Their team of dedicated analysis experts has extensive experience of working on many interesting and challenging valve and actuator projects to solve complex technical problems.

For example, a key supplier of butterfly valves needed to seismically test a range of valves to validate their designs. Building prototypes was not feasible due to very tight project deadlines. The valves were to be used in a safety-critical defence application and it was vital that they could withstand a range of extreme loading including seismic and shock events.

PDL were able to validate each valve design for the seismic design spectra used on the shaker table tests. Their engineering analysis experts considered a range of disc positions and valve orientations in close collaboration with the test house team.

Using Ansys Simulation software - ANSYS, ANSYS Parametric Design Language (APDL) and ANSYS DesignModeler they defined a representative computational model and ensured that the load path between components were accurately defined. To capture the seismic response of the valves, a response spectrum analysis was used. A modal analysis calculated the natural frequencies of the valve and the relevant modal mass.

The results were scrutinised to ensure that the response of the components was representative and that the range of frequencies captured the total mass of the assemblies. Following this stage, the response spectrum analysis was solved using the relevant seismic spectra for each of the orthogonal directions.

The results of the analyses were combined using the square root sum of the squares (SRSS) method and results were assessed against the relevant allowable stresses.

When the manufactured valves were physically tested, they all passed the test successfully.

Hence PDL successfully decreased the risk for their client by allowing the valves to be ‘tested’ in the virtual world prior to manufacture.

They also significantly reduced their timescale by removing the need to manufacture and test multiple prototypes, and significantly reduced their costs by minimising the amount of testing completed to reach a compliant valve solution.

To find out more about PDL proven track record with clients who rely on them to validate, understand, test and optimise their valves and actuators visit the PDL website which showcases their analysis expertise and experience https://pdl-group.com or connect with the team on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/company/pdl-solutions-europe-ltd.