This study examined the normal, radial, axial and tangential loading cycles undergone by wind turbine rotor blades and their effects on the  displacement of the blade structure. The rotor blade was modelled using Q Blade finite element sub module, which evaluated the loading cycles in  terms of the forces induced on the blade at various frequencies through several complete revolution cycles (360o each cycle). At frequencies of 5 HZ, 23 Hz, 60 Hz, 124 Hz and 200 Hz, maximum strain deformation of 0.004, 0.04, 0.08, 0.14 and 0.24 were obtained, and geometry of the deformed blades were characterized by twisting and bending configuration. Maximum deflections from tangential loading increased from -0.55-1.2 mm,  -0.39-1.6 mm from axial loading, -0.28-1.8 mmfrom radial loading and -0.01-2.3 mm from normal loading. From these deflection values, normal loading cycle would cause the highest level of structural damage on the rotor blade followed by radial, axial and tangential loading. Moreover, the  strain deformations and deflections of the blade structure increased as the cycles of frequency increased. Keywords: Loading cycle, Wind turbine, Rotor blade, Frequency, Strain deformations, Deflections.

Automobile wheels serve as a primary means of support to a moving and stationary car while being subjected to static and dynamic loading in the process. The present study examines the mechanical behavior of different auto wheel materials under the aforementioned loading conditions using Finite Element Method (FEM). The wheel component was modlled and simulated with SOLIDWORKS 2018 version using different materials including carbon fibre (T300), cast alloy steel, aluminium (2014-T6) and magnesium alloy. Considering the simulation constraints of lowest static stress (von-mises), lowest resultant strain, lowest displacement (static and raidal) and lowest bending, cast alloy steel met all the requirements except for static strain where carbon fibre was the lowest followed by cast alloy steel. Carbon fibre (T300) among all the materials had the highest static stress (von-mises), highest displacement (static and raidal) and highest bending. Static stress for aluminium (2014-T6) was lower than that of magnesium alloy while resultant strain, static and radial displacement as well as bending were lower for aluminium (2014-T6) than magnesium alloy. Von-mises stresses for all wheel materials where below their yield strength, indicating that they can perform optimally under the above mentioned loading constraints. The main disadvantage with steel wheel is the high density while low density of the other three materials offer a distinctive advantage to auto performance, but steel wheel is inexpensive, strong, tough and more durable compared to the other materials.

Fluid flow models developed for pipe flow in gasoline port fuel injection system with different number of injectors working under steady state condition was simulated in this study using FLOWMASTER Software. Using existing equations, theoretical analysis were computed for the same flow parameters and results obtained for each parameter for both the simulation and theoretical approach were compared accordingly. Results obtained for the theoretical approach and that of simulation had not shown much correlation due to the assumptions and computational errors. The pipe flow was simulated under steady state condition and the inlet pressure flowing across the circular pipe was observed to increase per unit time while fluctuations characterised by sinusoidal pattern were observed on the plot of total pressure at bends against time. The normal pressure while flowing along the pipe duct increased proportionally with the pipe length but suddenly experienced a decline and pick-up again as it encountered bends. The mass flow rate of gasoline was observed to increase gradually as the simulation time progressed. For the three simulated outcomes, decrease were observed as the flow approached bends along the circular pipe. Hence, the use of FLOWMASTER software in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFDs) helped in predicting flow characteristics along the rail pipes in gasoline port fuel injection system.

The transmission of motion from one gear to the other in a planetary gear train usually result in unwanted conditions such as vibration due to poor gear assembly, high contact forces, high rotation speeds etc. The vibrating effect of the gear can result in higher or lower frequency response which may damage the gear or offer safe working condition. Using SOLIDWORKS 2018 version for the modelling, SimulationXpress was used to conduct frequency analysis on input shaft/carrier of a planetary gear train to understand its behaviour at different mode shapes during vibration. Results obtain from the input shaft/carrier frequency analysis showed natural frequency values of 1922.4Hz, 1922.8Hz, 2101Hz, 2183.1Hz and 2185.3Hz for mode shape 1-5. Geometry of the input shaft/carrier appeared differently at each mode number, resulting in frequency responses characterised by different modal shapes. This also led to gradual increase in the natural frequency of the input shaft/carrier at increasing mode no, consequently causing deflection on the mode shapes of the input shaft/carrier model. Hence, vibration should be reduced to the lowest limit of tolerance for minimum deflections and longevity of the input shaft/carrier and planetary gear components.