Dynamic Characteristics Determination and Optimization of Marine Engine Foundation

In this study structural analysis following by modal analysis of marine engine has been performed. Initially the engine foundation made of steel was modeled in Creo software and then it was imported to ANSYS for structural and vibrational analysis. During structural analysis failure analysis while modeshapes were analyzed during vibrational analysis. The foundation was designed as per the equipment manufacture guidelines. Similarly different commercially available sizes of I-beams were considered for analysis and optimization of foundation. Thicknesses of flanges and webs of I-beams were varied in order to check the effect on frequency variation and structural failure. Purpose was to obtain the optimized and resonant free structure. Moreover the results were consequently correlated with MATLAB PDE module results. Both the software's results were found in close agreement with each other. Similarly concept of composite foundation was introduced for further reduction in weight as an alternate and light weight solution. For the purpose highly resistive against loss in its properties polymer, Poly Ether Ether Ketone (PEEK) was selected and analyzed. Different combination of stacking were applied and consequently optimized, safer and alternate solution was obtained successfully.