Finite Element Analysis: Assignment 3

Assignment report

Submitted by

Group I

Prachi Singh (Ansys simulation) (20BAS1114)

Priyanshi Srivastava (Report) (20BAS1115)

VIKAS (Report and Ansys Simulation) (20BAS1118)

Harshil Sharma (Hand calculations) (20BAS1119)

in partial fulfillment for the award of the degree of

of

BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING
IN

AEROSPACE ENGINEERING

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 Introduction

(a) An insulating wall is constructed of three homogeneous layers with conductivities k1, k2, and
k3 in intimate contact. Under steady state conditions, the temperatures of the media in contact at
the left and right surfaces of the wall are at ambient temperatures of TL∞ and TR∞, respectively,
and film coefficients βL and βR, respectively. Using hand calculation determine the temperatures
when the ambient temperatures T0 and T5 and the (surface) are known. Assume that there is no
internal heat generation and that the heat flow is one-dimensional (∂T/∂y = 0)

(b) Simulate the above problem using the Ansys Workbench and discuss the results. Also compare the
simulation results with that obtained through hand calculation. Present the comparison in plots using
MATLAB (or MS Excel).

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 HAND CALCULATION

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 Theoretical Background

The governing equation for steady-state heat conduction in a one-dimension multilayered wall
∂T
= 0 is expressed by:
∂y

∂T
-k1 ∂y | � = 0 = βL (TL∞ -T0)

∂T
-k2 ∂y | � = 1 = βR (T5 – TR∞)

Within the internal layer (0 < y < 1 and 1 < y <2), the heat conduction equation becomes:

d2 y
-kidx2 = 0, where i= 1, 2, 3….
Solving these equations yields the temperature distribution within the wall.

Simulation Methodology:

1. Geometry and Meshing:

 Create a 1D model representing the three-layered insulating wall within the Ansys
Workbench environment.
 Define the geometry and assign material properties (k1,k2, and k3) to each layer.
 Generate a mesh with appropriate resolution to capture temperature variations accurately.

2. Boundary Conditions:

 Set the left surface boundary condition to represent TL∞ with the appropriate film
coefficient βL.
 Set the right surface boundary condition to represent TR∞ with the corresponding film
coefficient βR.
 Define the internal boundary conditions to account for the one-dimensional heat flow
∂T
(∂y = 0)

3. Solver Setup:

 Choose a steady-state thermal solver within Ansys.

 Implement the appropriate equations to model heat conduction within each layer and at
the interfaces.
 Specify convergence criteria and other solver settings.

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4. Solution:

 Run the simulation and obtain the temperature distribution across the insulating wall.
 Post-process the results to visualize the temperature profile and extract relevant data.

Simulation:

1. Geometry

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 2. Temperature Path:

3. Mesh

4. Boundary Condition

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 5. Nodal Temperature:

6. Temperature Variation:

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 7. Total Heat flux:

8. Temperature Graph:

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 Results:

The hand calculations for temperature variation across the three-layered insulating wall under
steady-state conditions have yielded the following results.

U1 = 61.582℃,

U2 = 61.198℃,

U3= 60.749℃,

U4 = 60.612℃.

These values represent the temperatures at the interfaces between the layers within the
insulating wall. The calculated temperatures offer insights into the thermal distribution
across the wall and provide a basis for understanding the impact of different material
properties and boundary conditions on the heat transfer process.

The comparison graph between analytical method and ANSYS simulation is plotted in
Excel:

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 Conclusion:

The hand-calculated temperature variations across the three-layered insulating wall provide
valuable insights into the thermal behavior of the system. The obtained results, with
temperatures at interfaces U1 to U4 as 61.582℃, 61.198℃, 60.749℃, 60.612℃ respectively,
lay the groundwork for several conclusions:

1. Temperature Gradient: The decreasing trend in temperatures from U1 to U4 ​ indicates a

temperature gradient within the wall. This gradient is a direct result of the diverse thermal
conductivities of the individual layers, showcasing the impact of material properties on
heat transfer.
2. Effective Insulation: The observed temperatures affirm the insulating effectiveness of the
wall. The lower temperature at U4 suggests that the outermost layer effectively mitigates
heat transfer, emphasizing the importance of layer composition in achieving thermal
insulation.
3. Simulation Validation: These hand-calculated results provide a baseline for validating
Ansys simulation outcomes. A comparison between hand calculations and simulation
results will serve as a crucial step in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the
simulation methodology.
4. Design Considerations: Engineers can use these results to inform the design and
optimization of similar systems. Understanding temperature distribution aids in making
informed decisions regarding material selection, layer thickness, and overall thermal
performance.

In summary, the hand-calculated temperature variations offer a foundational

understanding of the thermal dynamics within the insulating wall. Further validation
through simulation and potential refinement of the model will contribute to the robustness
of thermal analyses, ensuring the development of effective and efficient insulating
solutions for practical applications.

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