Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

I have hands-on experience conducting Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulations using Ansys. While working in the Petersen Lab, I utilized FEA to model the mechanical forces acting on a collapsible Lower Body Negative Pressure (LBNP) device, a system designed as a countermeasure to spaceflight deconditioning.

I modeled the impact of negative pressure on the collapsible LBNP device to evaluate structural stability, material strain, and potential failure points under operational conditions. The simulations provided insights into deformation patterns, stress concentrations, and the effectiveness of the collapsible design in maintaining a pressure differential. These results guided and validated the design, ensuring durability and user safety.

Lower Body Negative Pressure (LBNP) Device:

This collapsable version of the device has a polyvinyl chloride skeleton and was the focus of my simulations

Key Contributions:

Structural and Thermal Analysis: Simulated stress distributions, thermal effects, and deformations to assess mechanical integrity under operating conditions.
Material Properties Evaluation: Incorporated appropriate material models to accurately represent the behavior of different components. Specifically, the LBNP device was analyzed in two material configurations:
- Polyvinyl Chloride Version: This version utilized a lightweight and flexible structure to enable collapsibility while maintaining structural integrity under negative pressure. Simulations focused on assessing the deformation limits and potential buckling points.
- Acrylic Version: Designed for increased rigidity and durability, the acrylic version provided a more controlled environment for pressure regulation. The FEA simulations evaluated stress distributions, potential fracture risks, and sealing effectiveness under operational loads.
Boundary Conditions and Loads: Applied realistic constraints and external forces to replicate real-world usage scenarios, ensuring reliable results for high-precision components. The boundary conditions included:
- Fixed Constraints: The base and sealing edges were fixed to prevent unintended displacement and accurately represent real-world constraints.
- Negative Pressure Loading: A uniform pressure differential was applied internally to simulate the vacuum environment, testing the device's response to operational stresses.
- Gravity and User Interaction Loads: Additional forces were applied to simulate user handling, ensuring structural stability under typical operating conditions.
Optimization and Risk Mitigation: Considered failure modes to improve the reliability of the device.

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