Modelling Flexible Bellows by Standard Beam Finite Elements

• A procedure for modelling flexible metal bellows by the standard beam finite elements in I-DEAS Master Series 6 is presented. In spite of the geometry of the bellows being far from a beam, it is shown that the bellows dynamic behaviour can be modelled by beam elements with the suggested procedure. The model size is reduced by a factor of 100-1000 compared to a shell elements model. This is especially advantageous when the bellows is only a part of for example an exhaust system to be optimised with respect to overall design parameters. In comparison to existing "semi-analytical" methods the standard beam finite elements have the advantages that axial, bending and torsion degrees of freedom are included simultaneously and that the interaction between the bellows and the rest of the system, also modelled by beam or shell finite elements, is easily facilitated. The procedure is verified by experimental results from other investigators.

Ämnesord

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Maskinteknik -- Teknisk mekanik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Mechanical Engineering -- Applied Mechanics (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Flexible Bellows

Beam Finite Elements

Dynamic Behaviour

Axial

Bending

Torsion

Exhaust Systems

Experimental Verification.

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

rap (ämneskategori)