Project Summary
The goal of this project was to validate the structural integrity of a cylindrical titanium pressure vessel when subjected to pressures at full ocean depth. The first step involved using hand calculations to estimate the maximum stresses and strains that the pressure vessel would see when deployed. Then, finite element analysis (FEA) was used as verification of the hand calculations prior to physical testing. Strain gauges were applied to the inner diameter of the pressure vessel (where the maximum strain would occur), and then it was subjected to pressure cycling at 1.25x the estimated ocean pressure at a test facility where the strain data from the applied gauges was recorded. The recorded strain data was compared to the FEA and hand calculations, and all were in agreement.
A modal analysis was also completed within ANSYS in order to verify any structural modes were outside of the range of frequencies it would be subjected to during acoustic excitation. I performed a trade study to determine the most effective, cost-efficient solution to move structural modes outside of acoustic frequencies.
Implemented Skills
structural analysis using hand calculations
finite element analysis using ANSYS
strain gauge selection and application
data acquisition
modal analysis