Systematic design optimization of grabs considering bulk cargo variability

Ship unloader grabs are usually designed using the manufacturer's in-house knowledge based on a traditional physical prototyping approach. The grab performance depends greatly on the properties of the bulk material being handled. By considering the bulk cargo variability in the design process, the grab performance can be improved...

Design framework for DEM-supported prototyping of grabs including full-scale validation

The design of machinery for handling granular materials relies mainly on empirical methods and in-house engineering knowledge. This traditional approach provides incremental improvements that are often limited. Advancements in simulation and optimization can offer a promising alternative approach. Most of the research involved in improving or...

Co-simulation framework of discrete element method and multibody dynamics models

Purpose: Bulk material-handling equipment development can be accelerated and is less expensive when testing of virtual prototypes can be adopted. However, often the complexity of the interaction between particulate material and handling equipment cannot be handled by a single computational solver. This paper aims to establish a framework for...

Model Based Definition in shipbuilding. Improving the information flow of the secondary steel process in shipbuilding with the use of Model Based Definition: A design science approach.

Digitalization helps companies to become more efficient, therefore new developments should be followed closely. One of these developments is the use of 3D models. An increasing amount of information can be processed by the 3D models. This research will look into one of these developments: Model Based Definition. With Model Based Definition (MBD)...

Virtual prototyping of grabs: Co-simulations of discrete element and rigid body models

This dissertation has investigated whether a combination of DEM and MBD can be used for a reliable and accurate environment for predicting grab unloading performance. A grab is a type of bulk material handling equipment used for unloading materials such as coal and iron ore from vessel to shore. Both a grab and iron ore pellets have been...

Performance Modeling of Stochastic Diagnosis Engines

Critical systems are complex, consisting of thousands of components, which can fail at any time. Diagnosing these systems within a certain time is highly desirable. Traditional diagnosis algorithms are mostly deterministic, able to find single faults extremely fast and double faults reasonably quick as well. However, these algorithms fail to...