Experimental and CFD analysis based design of additively manufactured drum gate for open channel flow experiments

Fayyaz Rehman, Robert Benham

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

Additive Manufacturing (AM) is emerging as a cost-effective alternative to conventional manufacturing techniques for applications requiring components with complex geometries. Cost savings are achieved through reduced raw material usage, shorter manufacturing times, and the elimination of expensive tooling. AM serves as a valuable tool for designing and developing complex shapes in fluid flow research. This study examines the limitations of existing components in a 2.5 m open channel fluid flow experiment, characterized by their basic standard shapes. Specifically, it focuses on enhancing flow control in hydraulic systems by introducing gates with intricate geometries, which are typically expensive and time consuming to acquire from equipment suppliers. AM technology provides a cost-effective solution for implementing progressive design modifications. This paper presents a comparative analysis of various positions of an AM-produced curved drum gate in terms of flow rate, fluid velocity profile, water level height, and related fluid flow parameters. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling, analysis, and simulation techniques are used to analyse and validate the results. Based on the experimental findings and their verification, this paper discusses the suitability and applicability of AM techniques in fluid flow analysis. The ability to manufacture customized components through AM offers a promising avenue for enhancing fluid flow research, enabling cost-effective and time-efficient design modifications. This study emphasizes the importance of utilizing AM and specific materials to advance fluid flow analysis
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1242-1247
Number of pages6
JournalInternational Research Journal of Engineering and Technology
Volume11
Issue number7
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2024

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