Proceedings of IMECE2008

ABSTRACT Several healthcare products have been developed and marketed in recent times as a result of people's growing interest in personal health. Unstable shoes have been introduced to revitalize the muscles of the lower limbs and to modify the gait posture while walking. However, healthcare products for people should first be proved functional and safe, as some of those can sometimes result in severe injuries and side effects. Certification is, therefore, necessary in the case of unstable shoes. In this study, the functionality of unstable shoes was analyzed; it was proved that difference in pressure distribution resulting from the shape of the unstable shoes helps strengthen the muscles of the lower limbs. These analyses focused on the activation of the muscles by employing EMG (Electromyography). However, the approach involving EMG cannot carry out measurements on hidden muscles, and the noise involved is a source of potential error; therefore, this study utilizes the simulation software SIMM (Software for Interactive Musculoskeletal Modeling) for this purpose. We performed a biomechanical study using a full-body musculoskeletal model. Using the captured 3D motion data and ground reaction forces data, kinetic data was calculated in order to determine its influence on the adjacent segments. We captured the movements of six volunteers, all males in their twenties. The volunteers wore both unstable and normal shoes during each trial. This study focuses on the activation of muscles of the lower limbs when wearing unstable shoes. We inspected the muscles and analyzed the disparities between unstable and normal shoes. We observed from experimental results that most muscles of the lower limbs were revitalized. Further, we observed an improvement in the gait posture after unstable shoes were used for a period of 12 weeks. This analysis of inner muscles that cannot be examined by direct methods can help consumers make informed choices regarding healthcare products. Such analysis is made possible by simulation programs such as SIMM

A Study to Derive Equivalent Mechanical Properties of Porous Materials with Orthotropic Elasticity

The need for diverse materials has emerged as industry becomes more developed, and there is a need for materials with pores in various industries, including the energy storage field. However, there is difficulty in product design and development using the finite element method because the mechanical properties of a porous material are different from those of a base material due to the pores. Therefore, in this study, a Python program that can estimate the equivalent property of a material with pores was developed and its matching was verified through comparison with the measurement results. For high-efficiency calculation, the pores were assumed to be circular or elliptical, and they were also assumed to be equally distributed in each direction. The material with pores was assumed to be an orthotropic material, and its equivalent mechanical properties were calculated using the equivalent strain and equivalent stress by using the appropriate material property matrix. The material properties of a specimen with the simulated pores were measured using UTM, and the results were compared with the simulation results to confirm that the degree of matching achieved 6.4%. It is expected that this study will contribute to the design and development of a product in the industrial field

Estimation of Heat Source Model’s Parameters for GMAW with Non-linear Global Optimization—Part I: Application of Multi-island Genetic Algorithm

Estimating the thermo-elasto-plastic deformation by arc welding through finite element analysis has been used in various industrial fields. The Goldak heat source model is one of the most important and widely used models in finite element analysis, and its parameters are estimated based on the results of previous studies and tests. Part I of this study focused on the adequate heat source model, and the study for the welding deformation with the moving heat source will be done on the latter research. This study used the parameters of Goldak’s heat source model, weld efficiency, and the location of the heat source as design variables, and defined the Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) boundary line of Bead on Plate (BOP) welding as the target. BOP welding was performed using SS400 plates, the HAZ boundary line was determined based on examining the shape of the cross-section, and the optimization condition was that temperature inside the boundary line exceeded 727 °C while the temperature outside the line did not exceed 727 °C during the welding process. During this process, a multi-island genetic algorithm (non-linear global optimization method) was used to obtain the optimal results out of 1000 candidate groups, in which the HAZ boundary was similar to the experimental results. Applying a global optimization algorithm to determine the parameters of the most important heat source model to analyze welding deformation is significant, and this may be applied in various industrial fields that use welding including shipbuilding, aviation, and machinery industries

A Study on Heat Input Control and a Quality Evaluation Algorithm to Prevent Toughness Deterioration of the Heat-Affected Zone in the Fiber Laser Welding Process of ASTM A553-1 (9% Nickel Steel) Material

Various international organizations and governments of many countries are making efforts to prevent environmental pollution, with the IMO (International Maritime Organization) reinforcing related regulations. With these regulations, equipment related to LNG-fueled ships, which have the greatest carbon dioxide reduction effect among eco-friendly ships, are expected to increase. Although the IGC code designates the materials that can be used for LNG containers, such as 304L stainless steel and 9% nickel steel, these materials have a tendency to deteriorate the tissue around the heat-affected zone due to excessive heat input. In this study, we analyzed the effect of brittle fracture in the weld zone and heat-affected zone after fiber laser welding and found that welding quality improved with control of the heat input. SVM discriminant analysis was applied to classify the groups in which brittle fracture and ductile fracture occurred. The shape of the penetration section, hardness in the welding zone and heat-affected zone, and fracture surface were selected as factors for discrimination; these values were determined under various welding conditions. With these data, we derived a regression model and multi-objective optimization algorithm to predict mechanical properties after welding, as well as the conditions necessary to prevent brittle fracture. Finally, the prediction models were verified, as the results of welding under the derived conditions were classified as ductile fracture group

A Study on Fiber Laser Welding of High-Manganese Steel for Cryogenic Tanks

As the environmental regulations on ship emissions by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) become stricter, the demand for a ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) is rapidly increasing worldwide. Compared to other materials, high-manganese steel has the advantages of superior impact toughness at cryogenic temperatures, a low thermal expansion coefficient, and a low-cost base material and welding rod. However, there is a limitation that the mechanical properties of a filler material are worse than those of a base material that has excellent mechanical properties. To solve these shortcomings, a basic study was performed to apply fiber laser welding with little welding deformation and no filler material to high-manganese steel. The relationship between laser welding parameters and penetration shapes was confirmed through cross-section observation and analysis by performing a bead on plate (BOP) test by changing laser power and welding speed, which are the main parameters of laser welding. In addition, the welding performance was evaluated through mechanical property tests (yield strength, tensile strength, hardness, cryogenic impact strength) of a welding part after performing the high-manganese steel laser butt welding experiment. As a result, it was confirmed that the yield strength of a high-manganese steel laser welding part was 97.5% of that of a base metal, and its tensile strength was 93.5% of that of a base metal

A Study on the Development of an Optimization Algorithm and Determination Procedure for Toughness Deterioration Characteristics through Flux Core Arc Heat Input Control of ASTM A553-1 (9% Nickel Steel)

The International Maritime Organization has adopted the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions from ships as an important priority, and is continuously strengthening its regulations on marine air pollution. By 2035, it is expected that LNG-powered ships will account for more than 50% of the available ships. Accordingly, the demand for equipment related to LNG-fueled ships is expected to grow as well, requiring the development of a lot of equipment. However, the characteristics of LNG-powered ships mean that they require a high level of reliability and long history of operating reliably. Even when a product is developed, numerous demonstrations and quality assurance measures are needed to reach the technological level ship owners and customers require. Therefore, an optimization procedure to determine the welding quality for 9% Ni steel is necessary. In this study, the heat input criteria that induce brittle fracture characteristics were analyzed to optimize the flux core arc welding process for 9% Ni steel used in the manufacture of LNG storage tanks. We developed an optimization algorithm (Welding Current, Arc Voltage, Welding Speed) that can select a group of fracture conditions by examining the tendency of the tissue to brittle fracture due to excessive heat input among potential quality issues of cryogenic steel. Capable of selecting the range in which quality deterioration occurs, determining quality of a weld and avoiding the range in which toughness degradation occurs, through which a process to derive high quality 9% Ni welds is proposed

A Study on Welding Deformation in Fiber Laser Welding of 9% Nickel Steel through Finite Element Analysis Part I: Implementation of Welding Heat Source Model

Due to various environmental regulations, the demand for natural gas, i.e., a clean energy, is expected to increase continuously. In terms of efficient storage and transportation of natural gas, liquefied natural gas has an advantageous volume of 1/600 compared to natural gas, but the materials that can be used at a cryogenic temperature of −163 °C are limited. A 9% nickel steel is a material recommended by IMO through IGC. It has excellent mechanical properties compared to other cryogenic materials, but its use has been limited due to its disadvantages in arc welding. Therefore, the main topic of this study is the automatic welding of 9% nickel steel using fiber laser and its purpose is to predict the welding deformation during fiber laser welding. First, an investigation was conducted to find the fiber laser welding heat source. A model that can cover all the models in prior studies such as curve, exponential, conical, conical-conical combination, and conical-cylinder combination models was proposed and the heat source model was constructed in a multi-layer format. Heat transfer analysis was performed using the ratio of a heat source radius and heat energy of each layer as a variable and the pass or failure of a heat source was determined by comparing the analysis results to the experimental results. By changing the variables in conjunction with the optimization algorithm, the main parameters of a passed heat source model were verified in a short period of time. In addition, the tendency of parameters according to the welding speed was checked

Bead Geometry Prediction Model for 9% Nickel Laser Weldment, Part 1: Global Regression Model vs. Modified Regression Model

Due to its excellent toughness and stiffness in cryogenic conditions, 9% nickel steel is applied to LNG storage facilities, and its usage is increasing as a result of changes in environmental regulations. A study was conducted on the development of a predictive model to optimize the laser welding process of 9% nickel steel, and two prediction models were developed using one hundred data points obtained through experiments. A global regression model used as a general prediction model and a modified regression model using the p-value of the analysis of variance were developed, and their prediction performance was compared. It was found that the modified regression model was superior to the global regression model in terms of predicting the bead shape, including parameters such as penetration depth, bead height, and area ratio

Evaluation of Bead Geometry for Aluminum Parts Fabricated Using Additive Manufacturing-Based Wire-Arc Welding

The wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) process used to manufacture aluminum parts has a number of variables. This study focuses on the effects of the heat input and the current and voltage ratio on the deposition efficiency. The effects of the heat input and current and voltage ratio (V/A) on the bead geometry were analyzed, depending on the cross-sectional geometry of the deposition layers, for nine different deposition conditions. The deposition efficiency was also analyzed by analyzing the cross-sectional geometry of the thin-wall parts made of aluminum. The heat input range was about 2.7 kJ/cm to 4.5 kJ/cm; the higher the heat input, the higher the deposition efficiency. The maximum deposition efficiency achieved in this study was 76%. The current and voltage ratio was used to quantify the portion of voltage (V) in the total heat input (Q), and the effect on the bead geometry was analyzed. As the portion of voltage in the quasi heat input decreased by about 10%, it was found that the deposition efficiency was decreased by 1% to 3%

A Study on the Weldment Hardening Discrimination Procedure and Improvement of Flux Cored Arc Welding Process of ASTM A553-1 (9% Nickel Steel) Material Using Bead Geometry Distribution

As a result of strengthened sulfur content standards for ship fuel oil in IMO regulations, major domestic and foreign carriers have a high and growing demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered ships and related equipment. For LNG operation in a cryogenic environment, a storage tank and fuel supply system that uses steel with excellent brittleness and fatigue strength is required. Ships that use LNG have a high vulnerability to explosion and fire. For this reason, 9% Ni is typically used, since a ship requires high quality products with special materials and structural technologies that guarantee operability at cryogenic temperatures. However, there is an urgent need for research to derive a uniform welding quality, since high process difficulty and differences in welding quality related to a welder’s skills can cause a deterioration of the weld quality in the 9% Ni steel welding process. For 9% Ni steel, the higher the dilution ratio of the base metal, the lower the strength. In order to secure the required strength, excessive dilution of the base metal should be avoided, and the relationship between dilution ratio and strength should be investigated. According to previous research, if it exceeds 25% it may be lower than the API standard of 363 MPa for hardening welds. Therefore, in this study, the flux cored arc welding process is performed by establishing criteria that can be evaluated based on the SVM method in order to determine the structure of the weld to be cured according to the dilution rate of the base metal. We would like to propose a multipurpose optimization algorithm to ensure uniform quality of 9% Ni steel