#flow simulation

Although it is not common to carry out engineering tests in this specific context, we chose to conduct an analysis dedicated to aerodynamic conditions, aiming to understand the effect of wind on the structural integrity of the buoy. To carry out this study, we used Solidworks, making use of the fluid simulation system incorporated into the program.

Initially, we modeled the buoy structure, assigning specific materials to each component. Subsequently, we establish the necessary boundary conditions to faithfully simulate the behavior of the structure in real conditions. In the next step, we created surfaces that represent the wind pressure in the region where it impacts the buoy, and defined the area in which the wind pressure would be applied. The application of wind loads and adjustment of analysis settings were carried out using the “Flow Simulation” tool.

This process allowed an accurate representation of the aerodynamic conditions on the buoy structure. Additionally, we adjust relevant parameters for the analysis, ensuring a comprehensive approach.

The simulation execution culminated in the generation of a comprehensive report, documenting the results obtained. The interpretation of these results provided valuable insights into the structure's performance under simulated aerodynamic conditions. This engineering test highlighted the importance of considering aerodynamic conditions when assessing structural integrity.

It is possible to highlight some fundamental reasons for the importance of this analysis, such as the assessment of structural integrity, assessment of operational safety, design optimization, which can result in savings in materials and manufacturing costs.

The Montagem_boia.SLDSAM model was configured with standard parameters, carrying out 57 iterations to achieve convergent results. The mesh was defined with basic dimensions (Nx = 40, Ny = 9, Nz = 17), and boundary conditions were established to represent the fluid environment of interest.

The physical time interval considered was 0 seconds, and the CPU time required for the simulation was also recorded. The simulation results revealed an interesting distribution of fluid properties and flow characteristics. The total number of cells in the mesh was 7626, all occupied by the fluid. Among these, 1106 cells were in direct contact with solids.

The mesh dimensions (X,Y,Z) indicated a significant extension of the model, with minimum and maximum variations in each direction. Analysis of the velocity field revealed a range of [0 m/s; 7,510 m/s], indicating different flow regimes within the simulation domain. The pressure varied between [101294.37 Pa; 101430.23 Pa], with a reference pressure of 101325.00 Pa. The temperature remained relatively constant, with values ​​varying from [293.20 K; 293.21 K]. The fluid density showed a minimum variation, within the range of [1.20 kg/m^3; 1.21 kg/m^3].

There was no consideration of factors such as heat in solids, radiation, porous media and gravity to simplify the model to meet the specific objectives of this simulation. Based on the analysis of the images obtained, the reduction in wind speed becomes visible when facing the structure of the identifying buoy.

Notably, the average wind speed in São Paulo, situated at 25km/h, is insufficient to cause damage to the aforementioned structure or to displace it from its original position. It is also worth noting that, when encountering the obstacle represented by the buoy, the wind flow tends to bypass the structure mostly from above, to the detriment of the sides.

This observation suggests an effective resistance of the buoy to direct wind impact, contributing to its stability and structural robustness. The results clearly indicate that the structure's resistance to wind action is remarkable, since the force exerted by the wind did not reach levels that would compromise the integrity or stability of the configuration.

The solidity of the structure in the face of these conditions suggests that the design presents a robust and adequate response to the expected wind loads.