Resonant Solutions

Expanding an existing industrial plant can be very challenging from an engineering and project point of view. Resonant has designed and executed many such projects in different industries and geographies. Key point to ensure project success are:

• Modelling new equipment into the existing brownfields site to highlight and eliminate equipment interferences
• Ensuring continuity of production during project implementation
• Minimising risk of damage to existing plant utilities
• 3D dynamic modelling of demolition and erection methodology to ensure safe project execution

3D model design	Implemented design

• Finite Element Analysis (FEA), where MSC Nastran and Patran software is used.
• Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), using MSC EFD. Lab software.
• Pipe stress analyses using CAEPIPE software.
• Static and dynamic structural analysis.
• Heat transfer and thermal stress analyses.
• Gas and fluid flow analyses.

FEA model of Ship-to-Shore loading cranes

Stress results from FEA on Ship-to-Shore loading cranes

Combined CFD and FEA analysis to calculate thermal stress in a fluid mixer

Full 3D CAD models of

• Structures and components from which manufacturing drawings are extracted.
• General assembly and manufacturing drawings in either 2D or 3D CAD packages.

The three phases of product design, using 3D CAD software

3D models and associated manufacturing drawing

Rotating or reciprocating machinery exert cyclic loads on their rotating parts, casings and the structures supporting them. Rotating parts need to be designed to accommodate the fatigue loading associated with the reversed torques and bending moment. The casing, depending on design and application, can experience fluctuating pressures and reaction loads. These cyclic loads, even when isolated from the structure, can cause the excitation of the structures natural frequencies which can lead to fatigue failure and or unbearable working conditions.

When a natural frequency is excited, the deflections that result from the loading are greater than would usually be expected. Using modal analysis the natural frequencies of a structure can be calculated and their significance identified. By comparing the natural frequencies of the structure to the frequency of the cyclic loading and considering the particular mode's significance, the likelihood of the frequency being excited can be determined. If necessary the natural frequencies of the structure can be altered by changing the stiffness of the structure in critical areas.

Frequency response and Harmonic analysis are used to predict the actual deflections and stresses created by the loading. Using a multichannel accelerometer vibrations, accelerations can be recorded at different points and in different directions simultaneously on existing structures. This data can be used to identify the loading frequencies and benchmark the finite element models if necessary.

From the results of the analyses, an assessment as to whether the structure will be adequate for the intended purpose can be made. By using standards such as ISO 2631-1-1997, BS 7608:1993 and SANS 10160, vibration exposure to personnel, strength and fatigue life of the structure can be quantified. As a result the client receives an engineered solution which minimises costs while still achieving structure, life cycle and health and safety goals.

Experts in the design of a wide range of industrial structures according to codes SANS, DIN, BS, ASME and Eurocode

• Crawl beams.
• Steps.
• Ladders.
• Platforms.
• Walkways.
• Buildings.
• Warehouses.
• Workshops.
• Ducting systems.
• Stacks.
• Bag filter houses.
• Pressure vessels and piping.
• Storage tanks.
• Cyclones.
• Heat exchangers.
• Plant support structures.

Scaffold design	Implemented scaffold design