Papers by Keyword: Conceptual Design

Abstract: The paper discusses the criteria of sustainability applicable in design of concrete structures, bridges in particular. It shows that old structures were usually sustainable, while todays trends supported by the technical progress provide more space for extravagant and unsustainable structures. The examples of bridges satisfying and unsatisfying criteria of sustainable design are presented. It is shown that the conceptual design is the stage, where the structure is defined and where it is decided on its sustainability.

Abstract: Concrete, which is reinforced by steel fibers, represents a multifunctional building material that is able to realize flexible but stable structures. As an alternative to the energy-intensive conventional production procedure wire drawing, a combination of a notch rolling and cyclic bending process is proposed by Stahl [1] to produce those fibers. Besides representing the properties of steel fibers and the overall process, the paper brings the layout of both process steps into focus. Since notch rolling for the production of wire strip is mainly unexplored, a general conceptual design of the process and the rolling tools is performed, supplemented by a similar study on the fulling process. To enable a further evaluation of the process chain and its relevant process parameters, a numerical and experimental test phase using strip of a dual phase steel DP600 with a sheet thickness of t₀ = 0.8 mm is intended in future. For ensuring high-quality numerical model, relevant behavior of the test strip is characterized through appropriate experiments and according material models in the present paper.

Abstract: The paper presents the results of a research that defined the weaknesses of design methodology. The end of the research project that suggests solutions for the determined weaknesses is a software that is suitable for efficient application in a very early phase of the design process, in conceptual design. It can be beneficial for mechanical engineers in the world today when we have got everything except for time and money.

Abstract: The City Council of Alma, Quebec, Canada intends to erect a new footbridge celebrating the 150-year anniversary of the city. Functioning as communal and cultural ground, an island will be built on the 100 m wide River Petite Décharge hosting a pedestrian area with pathways plants and artistic installations, being a symbolic landmark. The bridge has to provide connection between both the river sides and the island. Original and aesthetic design ideas for the bridge structure are searched. In the first phase of our work, preliminary study proposing 10 alternatives for the bridge was completed. The city has been selected three alternatives for further studies: double-arch classic bridge, classic cable stayed bridge with single pylon, artistic/industrial truss bridge with three lane decks. In the second phase of the work, we prepared the general preliminary design calculations, technical drawings, perspective drawings for the three selected versions. Common factor in all variants is the need and intent to apply advanced, state-of-the-art aluminium technology. The paper describes the evolution of the conceptual design of the bridge.

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to study the conceptual design and optimization of a compound coaxial helicopter. At the conceptual design phase, the compound coaxial helicopter design work was based on the conventional helicopter and fix-wing aircraft design method. The intersection of these aspects makes the design work more complex, thus, a program for the sizing and performance optimization was developed for the aircraft. The program included the total weight design, aerodynamic analysis, flight dynamics analysis, performance calculation and particle swarm optimization analysis. Under the restricted condition of the flight performance requirements, optimize the design parameters which make the weight efficiency factor decrease. Therefore, the study of optimum design process was warranted.

Abstract: Although all aspects of a product design are demanding and need several resources to be completed, Design for X (DfX) represents a series of formal methodologies used to optimize a specific aspect of the product design under consideration. Those DfX tools deal with different stages of the product design and there is considerable gap concerning the package design cycle. The proposed methodology Design for Skin and Shape (DfS&S) is focused on the package design industry and offers significant advantage towards its success. It helps the designers to be focused on shapes that are easily recognized by the customers and then create appropriate graphics for them. Following this approach, it is easier to create an innovative optical identity for the product and its packaging during the conceptual stage. The methodology can reduce the development time of the package, while designers have in mind, from the beginning of the design process, the shape which will guide them to its completion. Following the proposed methodology different packaging designs are presented.

Abstract: Nature is effectively a significantly large laboratory which offers opportunities for inspirations to all sciences. Some commercial implementations of nature-based mimicking, includes smart system controls, robotic sensors and artificial muscles. From the conceptual side, product design uses a different approach in nature-based methodology. It uses similarities based on the geometrical form or/and the functionality. The proposed Conceptual Product Design (CPD) framework supports and highlights the necessity of a nature-based design to all product industries. A good example is the fashion industry, which offers great opportunities for innovative and sustainable design based on nature.

Abstract: Spoilers are part of an automotive exterior bodywork system that acts to create additional down force for higher traction. In this paper, a new conceptual design of automotive spoiler component using kenaf polymer composites was developed using integrated TRIZ and morphology chart design method. The aim is to enable direct application of kenaf polymer composites to the spoiler design to achieve better environmental performance of the component while maintaining the required structural strength for safe and functional operation. The overall process involved two major stages, which are the idea generation and concept development. TRIZ method was applied in the idea generation stage where specific solution strategies for the design were created. In the concept development stage, the specific TRIZ solution strategies obtained were later refined into relevant alternative system elements using Morphology chart method. Finally, a new conceptual design of an automotive spoiler was developed using the combination of the identified system elements. The integrated TRIZ and morphology chart method were found to be new tools that can be used effectively in the concept design stage, especially in cases where direct material substitution is given the main focus for the new product development.

Abstract: Expertise or certain performance metrics information was often separately considered to model the Aircraft baseline scenario preferential problem in a traditional way, with one-sidedness and subjective. This paper focus on baseline scenario preferential problem in aircraft conceptual design, proposed a hybrid fuzzy decision merit model with synthesizing the description and numerical fuzzy indicators and using interval theory to model the fuzziness of each attribute. Proposed the preference information method based on multi-level expertise interval scale to model description fuzzy indicators and grey incidence analysis to model numerical fuzzy indicators, induced objective information entropy to increase the discrimination degree among group information, and then established a hybrid fuzzy interval multi-attribute decision model based on expertise, grey scale and objective information entropy, by constructing the Lagrangian function to solve each attribute weights. Applied it to the aircraft baseline scenario preferred example, to verify its feasibility and effectiveness.

Abstract: In a novel approach of task based conceptual design method by proper synthesis and analyzes tools mechanism and function entities are modified, turned into and considered as extendable and squeezable ones , so systemized search of optimal structural solutions inside those entities leads the designer to satisfaction of prior given set of functions. Conceptual design generation procedure includes task simplification phase where a key function (s) based mechanical model is composed and its further development into final concept requires gradual satisfaction of remained pre given functions. Two major sources of mechanical solutions are used for function satisfaction. First is existing knowledge on mechanism available as database and the second source is self-generation of mechanisms by granting DOF action, both procedures strictly implemented in a function targeted manner. The database itself is available in different formats depending on application, tutorial or systemizing purposes. Current study discloses the approaches and methods of modification of mechanisms from database into models and formats applicable and suitable for being used in proposed task based conceptual design method.