Unidad didáctica sobre el uso del programa Virtual.Lab para simulaciones acústicas. Parte I

El presente Proyecto de Fin de Carrera supone el propósito conjunto de los alumnos Álvaro Morillas y Fernando Sáez, y del profesor Vladimir Ulin, de desarrollar una unidad didáctica sobre el programa de simulación para ingeniería Virtual.Lab. La versión sobre la que se ha trabajado para realizar este texto es la 11, publicada en agosto de 2012. Virtual.Lab, del fabricante belga LMS International, es una plataforma software de ingeniería asistida por ordenador, que agrupa en una misma aplicación varias herramientas complementarias en el diseño de un producto, desde su definición geométrica a los análisis de durabilidad, ruido u optimización. No obstante, de entre todas las posibles simulaciones que nos permite el programa, en este proyecto sólo se tratan las que están relacionadas con la acústica. Cabe resaltar que gran parte de los conceptos manejados en Virtual.Lab son compatibles con el programa CATIA V5, ya que ambos programas vienen instalados y funcionan conjuntamente. Por eso, el lector de este proyecto podrá transportar sus conocimientos al que es uno de los programas estándar en las industrias aeronáutica, naval y automovilística, entre otras. Antes de este proyecto, otros alumnos de la escuela también realizaron proyectos de fin de carrera en el campo de la simulación computarizada en acústica. Una característica común a estos trabajos es que era necesario hacer uso de distintos programas para cada una de las etapas de simulación (como por ejemplo, ANSYS para el modelado y estudio de la vibración y SYSNOISE para las simulaciones acústicas, además de otros programas auxiliares para las traducciones de formato). Con Virtual.Lab desaparece esta necesidad y el tiempo empleado se reduce. Debido a que las soluciones por ordenador están ganando cada vez más importancia en la industria actual, los responsables de este proyecto consideran la necesidad de formación de profesionales en esta rama. Para responder a la demanda empresarial de trabajadores cualificados, se espera que en los próximos años los planes de estudio contengan más cursos en esta materia. Por tanto la intención de los autores es que este material sea de utilidad para el aprendizaje y docencia de estas asignaturas en cursos sucesivos. Por todo esto, se justifica la relevancia de este PFC como manual para introducir a los alumnos interesados en iniciarse en un sistema actual, de uso extendido en otras universidades tecnológicas europeas, y con buenas perspectivas de futuro. En este proyecto se incluyen varios ejemplos ejecutables desde el programa, así como vídeos explicativos que ayudan a mostrar gráficamente los procesos de simulación. Estos archivos se pueden encontrar en el CD adjunto. Abstract This final thesis is a joint project made by the students Álvaro Morillas and Fernando Sáez, and the professor Vladimir Ulin. The nature of the joint regards the writing of a didactic unit on Virtual.Lab, the simulation software. The software version used in this text is the number 11, released in August 2012. Virtual.Lab, from the Belgian developer LMS International, is a computer-aided engineering software which is used for several related tasks in this field: product design, durability simulation, optimization, etc. However, this project is focused on the acoustical capabilities. It is worthy to highlight that most procedures explained in this text can be used in the software CATIA V5 as well. Both tools come installed together and may be used at the same time. Therefore, the reader of this project will be able to use the acquired knowledge in one of the most relevant softwares for the aerospace, marine and automotive engineering. Previously to the development of this project, this School has conducted projects on this field. These projects regarded the use of ANSYS for modeling and meshing stages as well as the use of SYSNOISE for the final acoustic analysis. Since both systems use different file formats, a third-party translation software was required. This thesis fulfill this pending necessity with Virtual.Lab; the translation software procedure is not necessary anymore and simulations can be done in a more flexible, fast way. Since companies have an increasing usage of numerical methods in the development of their products and services, the authors think that it is important to develop the appropriate method to instruct new professionals in the field. Thus, the aim of this project is to help teachers and students in their process of learning the use of this leading software in acoustical simulations. For all the reasons mentioned above, we consider that this project is relevant for the School and the educational community. Aiming to achieve this objective the author offers example files and video demonstrations with guidance in the CD that accompanies this material. This facilitates the comprehension of the practical tasks and guides the prospect users of the software.

An interactive web-based learning assistant for structural analysis of continuous beams

There are significant levels of concern about the relevance and the difficulty of learning some issues on Strength of Materials and Structural Analysis. Most students of Continuum Mechanics and Structural Analysis in Civil Engineering usually point out some key learning aspects as especially difficult for acquiring specific skills. These key concepts entail comprehension difficulties but ease access and applicability to structural analysis in more advanced subjects. Likewise, some elusive but basic structural concepts, such as flexibility, stiffness or influence lines, are paramount for developing further skills required for advanced structural design: tall buildings, arch-type structures as well as bridges. As new curricular itineraries are currently being implemented, it appears appropriate to devise a repository of interactive web-based applications for training in those basic concepts. That will hopefully train the student to understand the complexity of such concepts, to develop intuitive knowledge on actual structural response and to improve their preparation for exams. In this work, a web-based learning assistant system for influence lines on continuous beams is presented. It consists of a collection of interactive user-friendly applications accessible via Web. It is performed in both Spanish and English languages. Rather than a “black box” system, the procedure involves open interaction with the student, who can simulate and virtually envisage the structural response. Thus, the student is enabled to set the geometric, topologic and mechanic layout of a continuous beam and to change or shift the loading and the support conditions. Simultaneously, the changes in the beam response prompt on the screen, so that the effects of the several issues involved in structural analysis become apparent. The system is performed through a set of web pages which encompasses interactive exercises and problems, written in JavaScript under JQuery and DyGraphs frameworks, given that their efficiency and graphic capabilities are renowned. Students can freely boost their self-study on this subject in order to face their exams more confidently. Besides, this collection is expected to be added to the "Virtual Lab of Continuum Mechanics" of the UPM, launched in 2013 (http://serviciosgate.upm.es/laboratoriosvirtuales/laboratorios/medios-continuos-en-construcci%C3%B3n)

A framework for adaptive e-learning for continuum mechanics and structural analysis

This paper presents a project for providing the students of Structural Engineering with the flexibility to learn outside classroom schedules. The goal is a framework for adaptive E-learning based on a repository of open educational courseware with a set of basic Structural Engineering concepts and fundamentals. These are paramount for students to expand their technical knowledge and skills in structural analysis and design of tall buildings, arch-type structures as well as bridges. Thus, concepts related to structural behaviour such as linearity, compatibility, stiffness and influence lines have traditionally been elusive for students. The objective is to facilitate the student a teachinglearning process to acquire the necessary intuitive knowledge, cognitive skills and the basis for further technological modules and professional development in this area. As a side effect, the system is expected to help the students improve their preparation for exams on the subject. In this project, a web-based open-source system for studying influence lines on continuous beams is presented. It encompasses a collection of interactive user-friendly applications accessible via Web, written in JavaScript under JQuery and Dygraph Libraries, taking advantage of their efficiency and graphic capabilities. It is performed in both Spanish and English languages. The student is enabled to set the geometric, topologic, boundary and mechanic layout of a continuous beam. While changing the loading and the support conditions, the changes in the beam response prompt on the screen, so that the effects of the several issues involved in structural analysis become apparent. This open interaction with the user allows the student to simulate and virtually infer the structural response. Different levels of complexity can be handled, whereas an ongoing help is at hand for any of them. Students can freely boost their experiential learning on this subject at their own pace, in order to further share, process, generalize and apply the relevant essential concepts of Structural Engineering analysis. Besides, this collection is being added to the "Virtual Lab of Continuum Mechanics" of the UPM, launched in 2013 (http://serviciosgate.upm.es/laboratoriosvirtuales/laboratorios/medios-continuos-en-construcci%C3%B3n)