MAE 456

David Walton
Thomas Price
10-01-2007
Assignment #3
Introduction
Assignment 3 of MAE 456 is accomplished by creating a 3 dimensional piping system
subject to an internalized pressure. The 3-D model is created and analyzed in Ansys through the
modal and harmonic methods available in the program. The piping system is capped off on each
end and subjected to an internalized pressure of 1,000 psi. The first section of this design problem
is to analyze the pipe with just the internalized pressure. A modal analysis is completed and images
from the first three frequency modes are displayed in the report. The second part of this design
problem is to examine the harmonic motion of the pipe system with a vertical excitation of .01 units
of displacement and frequency range between 0 and 500 hertz.

Isometric View

The first figure is an isometric view of the piping system to be analyzed. The only affects
on the system are the meshing and dimensions of the pipe.

Figure 1: Isometric view of piping system before any analysis

Internalized Pressure

This image is a view of the system with an applied internal pressure of 1,000 psi. This is
before the modal analysis is conducted and so the only source for the stress in the pipe is from the
internalized pressure and not from the natural frequencies.

Figure 2: Piping system with internalized pressure of 1,000 psi.

The 12 natural frequencies

This table shows the 12 natural frequencies of the pipe system. These natural frequencies
occur as the name implies: naturally. It is of no consequence whether the internal pressure is
figured into the analysis because it changes nothing. The 12 frequencies shown will occur under
the natural conditions of the system.

Figure 3: Table of the 12 natural frequencies of the pipe system

Mode 1

The next image displays the system after the first natural frequency. The frequency has a
value of 42.35 hz. The highest stress concentration is in the center of the pipe because both ends
are fixed, creating the greatest deflection in the middle of the beam.

Figure 4: Modal analysis of the system during the first natural frequency.
Mode 2

The second mode of the natural frequency has more twist and a much higher deflection than
the first mode. The frequency is 61.919 hz.

Figure 5: Modal analysis during the second natural frequency of the system

Mode 3
 The final mode displayed in the report is for the 3rd mode of natural frequency. The twist
and deflection of the system is still increasing under the natural frequencies. However, the change
between the second and third mode is not nearly as significant as the change from the first natural
frequency to the second one.

Figure 6: The 3rd mode of the natural frequency

Harmonic Analysis
 The graph below illustrates the harmonic frequencies of the first 12 modes. The maximum
displacement occurs at 200 hertz. This graph is produced from Ansys after a vertical excitation is
produced on one end of the pipe system.

Figure 7: Harmonic frequencies of first 12 modes

Results

The internal pressure that is applied to the pipe has no effect on the natural frequencies of
the system. Doing the analysis with and without the internal pressure of 1,000 psi made no impact
on the design. Figure 7 shows that the most important frequencies are at 100, 200, and 375 hertz.
The frequency causing the most displacement is at 200 hertz, which is almost seven times greater
than the displacement at 100 hertz.
Looking at figures 4, and 5 the greatest displacement is located in the center portion of the
pipe. Figure 6 further refines the ultimate stress location as being in the first bend of the middle
section of pipe. A brace should be placed in the center of the pipe and would greatly reduce the
vibrations of the pipe and help to steady the entire system. A brace would be very simple to add
into the design and would greatly help to support the piping system. The brace should be made of
steel just like the pipe to adequately sustain the piping system. After completing this design
process Ansys has allowed for a greater understanding of how modal and harmonic analysis are
used in determining how natural vibrations affect a structure.