Finite Element Analysis and Modeling of a Hydraulic Wire Mesh Rounder and Efficacy of I-Beam Reinforcement in Wire Mesh Mold Beds

This study investigates various simulation methodologies in solid mechanics, explicitly focusing on static, modal, and buckling analyses. The simulations are conducted using SolidWorks software. Static stress analysis is applied to the hydraulic stand and mold bed reinforcements. The results indicate that a hydraulic stand made of ASTM A36 material can withstand a maximum load of 10 tons with a factor of safety of 3.46, demonstrating its significant level of safety. The static stress analysis also reveals that the isosceles triangle configuration (configuration 2) of the mold bed reinforcements exhibits the highest safety factor among the three configurations, indicating the least stress compared to the other configurations. However, it requires the highest number of plates for reinforcement. Additionally, frequency analysis of the wire mesh rounder frame shows that it resonates at 24.077 Hz in mode shape 1 for the first 6-th-order natural frequencies. The critical modes in the system are the first and fourth modes, with natural frequencies of 24.077 Hz and 35.247 Hz, respectively, and they possess a significant effective mass participation factor of approximately 75%. These modes are associated with the highest stress levels under dynamic conditions. Furthermore, buckling analysis is employed to evaluate the structural stability of the hydraulic stand under compressive loads. The analysis identifies the critical load for a single hydraulic stand as 13,373 kN, representing the threshold at which sudden failure or loss of stability may occur. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the simulation methodologies used in solid mechanics, offering essential findings regarding the structural integrity, load-bearing capacity, and dynamic characteristics of the hydraulic stand and mold bed reinforcements.