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The London Eye Dummy Pod
Thursday, 05 February 2009
This analysis considered the structural performance of the dummy pod as it moves around the wheel in combination with exceptional wind loads experienced 140m above the ground. The structural assessment of the dummy pod considers the stress in members, the buckling of members, the stress in welded connections and the performance of bolted joints.This article describes a finite element analysis study supported additional calculations which are available for download from the www.ExcelCalcs.com site.
A Pod
FE Model
Stress in FE Model
Bolt Calculations
Design Code Calculations
The Detail - The dummy pod is constructed from two end
sub-assemblies called thimbles and a central cylindrical sub-assembly
called the barrel. The assemblies are fitted to a support ring. A bolt
passes through the thimble end plate, through the support ring and
through the barrel end ring. 32 M20 bolts per support ring are used
around the circumference to connect the parts together. The support
ring is fixed in three directions at the pin locations.
An ANSYS finite element model is constructed from beam elements.
Stresses are determined by linear elastic analysis and Euler buckling
analysis is also performed. There is no particular code of practise
applicable to the London Eye dummy pod. BS2573 Part 1: 1983 “Rules for
the Design of Cranes” is selected as cranes are mechanical structures
subject to wind and self weight loads. It is not a limit state code and
requires elastic assessment of the structure. It is similar to BS449 in
its methodology. The basic allowable stress is 60% of the material
yield (unless limited by buckling considerations). A fatigue assessment
is not considered necessary due to the low number of cycles. The model
has assigned the material density of steel multiplied by 1.2 as an
impact factor. All material is S355 steel with a yield stress of
355MPA. A number of load combinations were considered.
How to read ANSYS plots: The “STEP” number (and “TIME” number) is a
load step (e.g. self weight, wind load…). A “SUBSTEP” is of interest
for nonlinear analysis but since this assessment is linear elastic so
it is not relevant in this case. “SEQV” indicates that we are plotting
equivalent stresses (or Von Mises Stress) in MPa. For beam elements
SEQV is the addition of the axial stress and the bending stress in two
planes. The stress is displayed at all points around the beam section.
SEQV indicates the stress magnitude but not the sense (compressive or
tensile). “SMN” gives the lowest value of SEQV in the plot and “SMX”
shows the highest value. The stress legend shows how colours can be
related to the value of equivalent stress in the plot. “DMX” is the
maximum vector displacement in the model (in mm).
The worst axial force and the worst shear force are incorporated into a
detailed bolt assessment. The calculations check the following:
1) The joint axial strength.
2) The joint preload is sufficient to withstand the applied shear load even after embedding losses and bolt relaxation.
3) The tightening torque requirement.
4) The joint force diagram.
Eigenvalue buckling analysis can be performed by ANSYS. Eigenvalue
buckling analysis predicts the theoretical buckling strength (the
bifurcation point) of an ideal linear elastic structure. This method
corresponds to the textbook approach to elastic buckling analysis: for
instance, an eigenvalue buckling analysis of a column will match the
classical Euler solution. However, imperfections and nonlinearities
prevent most real-world structures from achieving their theoretical
elastic buckling strength. Thus, eigenvalue buckling analysis often
yields unconservative results, and should be used with caution. However
if the Euler buckling load shows a large margin it is very unlikely
that effect of real world imperfections will compromise the structures
resistance to buckling. In addition members are assessed against the
requirements of Eurocode 3.
Input: Preliminary drawings supplied by client.
Deadline: Two weeks after purchase order.
Output: Design change recommendations and a calculation report for final design suitable for third party scrutiny.
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