 Commentary around how you were applying your analysis at each of your roles (the more detail,

the better):

Worked on two different approach for FEA Analysis Ansys APDL and Ansys workbench

Ansys APDL

Under Ansys APDL used different menu like preferences, preprocessor, solution and General post
processor to complete the work

Under preference performed mostly the structural analysis of pressure vessels, supporting frame,
handling equipment, aerodynamic structure, pipe supports etc

Under preprocessor define element type depending upon the type of analysis. Worked with solid, beam
and shell elements like beam188, solid 65, solid 185 and shell 281

Material properties are defined which include Elastic Modulus and poison ratio considering material is
isotropic. If it is anisotropic then we have to define different properties in each direction.

Model section can be imported from CAD modeling software in the form of IGS file, while simple model
can also be created through using sections and modeling menu. A partial model section can also be
considered depending on the symmetry of model.

Meshing of the model will be done under meshing menu. Define element size or no of divisions to
generate mesh. In order to observe the mesh cell, click plot control select style and size and shape.
Check the box for display of element to display 3d body for meshed elements.

Load and boundary conditions will be applied through load menu which can be applied on key points,
area, nodes and lines etc. Boundary conditions can restrain all DOF or can be applied in certain direction
and rotation too depending on your scope. Loads can be applied in the form of pressure, force and
moments etc.

Under the solution menu solve the problem by selection of current LS

Under General post processor menu plot results for stress, displacement, strain etc. Displacement in
different direction can be plotted similar stress results can also be plotted.

Ansys Workbench

Under Ansys workbench performed static structural analysis pressure vessels, supporting frame,
handling equipment, pipe supports etc

Static structural have different menu like Engineering data, Geometry, Model, solution and results.

Under engineering data selection of material is done most commonly used is structural steel while other
materials can be selected. Two bodies with different material can also be used but connection needs to
be defined between two bodies. When material selection is done it automatically select properties of
material already exist in data base but custom properties material can also be created.
Under geometry menu define the model geometry under consideration. Different techniques are
available. First is to import the geometry. There is module for Ansys workbench new space claim
geometry and new design modeller geometry in which 3D model can be created by using sketch and
extrusion command. A partial section can also be selected depending on symmetry.

Under model menu load the model and if some changes done in model update of model can also be
done. When model is loaded it will become already meshed. Mesh size can be altered by changing the
size. Mesh size of certain areas can be refined more too.

Boundary condition will be applied in next step under fixed support, displacement, elastic support,
frictionless support etc. Loads will be applied in next step like pressure, force, moment, bearing load.

Solve the solution and plot he result for stress, strain, displacement etc.

 Walk us through (in detail) the work you were doing in Ansys specifically. What kind of analysis
were you doing (static, dynamic, linear, non-linear)? What mechanical loads did you have to
take into account?

Static Structural analysis of pressure vessels, supporting frame, handling equipment, aerodynamic
structure, pipe supports etc.
Dynamic, Static Linear and nonlinear too.
Boundary conditions applied like fixed support, bolted connection, welded connection, frictional and
frictionless surface.
Mechanical loads such as Hydrostatic pressure, Pressure, Moment, Force, Bearing Load, Nozzle Loads,
joint load, cyclic loading etc.

 Experience with time history analysis, yield and sliding elements, gap and yield elements,
damage tolerance and fatigue analysis:

Time History Analysis: Time history analysis involves simulating dynamic loading over time, necessitating
precise modeling of transient effects.
Yield and Sliding elements: yield elements are crucial for accurately capturing material plasticity while
sliding elements handle frictional interaction.
Gap elements: considered while incorporating gap for potential separation in the joints, offering realistic
representation.
Damage tolerance and fatigue analysis: To account damage tolerance, the model is considered as crack
propagation and evaluate structure ability to withstand damage. Fatigue analysis involves the structure
endurance under cyclic loading conditions, crucial for predicting the joint long-term reliability.

 Have you done seismic analysis? If so, please explain what you did:

Consider seismic load while designing pressure vessel in Compress software. Never perform seismic
analysis in Ansys. I think it should be same process just have to consider the seismic load depending
upon the installation location while applying load.
  Walk us through the most complicated analysis you have done (what made it complicated, what
were the biggest challenges of that work, how did you overcome them, etc.):

I conducted a nonlinear finite element analysis for a structural component, focusing on a piping flange
joint subjected to varying load mechanical loads. The analysis involved a combination of static and
dynamic and nonlinear aspects to comprehensively capture real world behaviour.

1. Problem Definition
Type of Analysis: Nonlinear FEA of piping flange joint structure. Objective is to assess the structural
integrity under different loading conditions.

2. Geometry and Meshing

Imported the detailed 3D model of piping joint into Ansys. Generated a fine mesh, particularly around
critical regions using adaptive meshing techniques to ensure accurate representation of stress gradients.

3. Material Properties
Defined material properties accounting for nonlinearities such as plasticity to accurately capture the
material behaviour under varying loads.

4. Nonlinear aspects
Introduced non linearities in material behaviour to account for plastic deformation. Incorporated
frictional contact elements to simulate the interaction between different components of the joint.
Utilize gap elements to model potential separation that might occur under extreme conditions.

5. Mechanical Loads:
Applied static loads to simulate the effects of sustained forces on joints. Imposed dynamic loads to
capture the system response to time varying forces. Considered thermal effects accounting for
temperature induced deformations.

6. Boundary Conditions:
Fixed certain degrees of freedom to represent the attachment points of flange joint. Applied realistic
constraint to simulate the physical constraints in actual structure.

7. Solver Settings
Considered Ansys solver with suitable convergence controls to address non linearities and ensure
stability. Utilized advanced solution techniques such as arc length control to handle large deformations.

8. Results and Post Processing

Analysed stress distributions, deformations and potential failure points. Extracted critical parameters
such as maximum stress and displacement, for further assessment.

9. Iterative Refinement
Iteratively refined the model adjusting parameters, refining meshing to optimize the results.

Overcoming challenges like proper joint connection and cyclic loading due to pressurization and
depressurization involves meticulous definition of material properties for different material in contact
region, defining appropriate contact surfaces with sliding and gap elements and implementing cyclic
loading to predict fatigue behavior. Iterative refinement of the model ensures accuracy and reliability in
simulating the behavior of piping flange joint connection under varied loading conditions.

This comprehensive analysis allowed for detailed understanding of piping flange bolted joint behavior
under diverse loading condition, aiding in the design optimization and ensuring structural reliability in
real world application.