What are the best ways to optimize structure cost-effectiveness using FEA for thermal effects?

Sem dúvida, a condi??o de cargas térmicas s?o altamente aplicadas na indústria, através de equipamentos que diretamente ou indiretamente transferem calor, como caldeiras, fornos e dutos de processos a quente.

Model Simplification: Start with a simplified model to reduce computational complexity. Use symmetry or simplified boundary conditions where applicable. Material Selection: Choose materials with properties that match the thermal requirements. Consider materials with lower thermal expansion coefficients to minimize stress due to thermal gradients. Mesh Refinement: Use a fine mesh in areas where thermal gradients are expected to be high and a coarser mesh in areas with lower thermal gradients to balance accuracy and computational cost. Convergence Checks: Perform convergence checks to ensure that the results are not significantly affected by changes in the mesh density or other parameters.

BTC (Compressed Earth Block) is a very interesting material used in the field of construction. Availablility, good acoustic and good thermal properties characterize this Material. In the context of BURKINA FASO, low-cost construction is the main objective and the cost of building depend in big part of the kind of materials used. So it's very interesting to get good materials at low cost and good properties in the same material

A key step in maximising the cost-effectiveness of a construction utilising Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for thermal effects is choosing suitable material attributes and models. Make use of precise data on the coefficient of thermal expansion, specific heat, and thermal conductivity of the selected materials. Realistic simulations are guaranteed when appropriate thermal models, such as anisotropic or isotropic, are used. This accuracy in material selection and modelling improves the FEA's capacity to forecast thermal behaviour, resulting in cost-effective structures and optimised designs.

I do agree that, after performing a comprehensive FEA model for the thermal effects, an important step to optimize structure cost-effectiveness is to assess the thermal stresses and deformations that result from the temperature changes in the subject structure. We should highlight locations of high internal stresses due to thermal effects and also locations of maximum deformations, that is to prepare the action in the next step.

Based on the previous step findings, and to optimize the structure cost- effectiveness by 1)avoiding the damage, failure or fatigue may result from the thermal internal stresses consideration, and 2) avoid the excessive deformations due to the thermal loads effect, to be within the allowable limits; these can be done by optimizing the design parameters and trade-offs that affect the subject structure performance and cost. This optimization can be achieved by some modifications like arranging expansion/contraction joints and compromising between different aspects such as weight, stiffness, or thermal resistance.

After proposing the modifications in the subject structure to optimize structure cost- effectiveness using FEA for thermal, the final step is to validate and test the optimized structure. Validation is to confirm that the FEA model and results are consistent with the norms of the subject structure. Testing by experimental data, analytical solutions, or empirical correlations, is to verify that the optimized structure meets the expected performance, serviceability and durability standards. Any discrepancies and/or deviations may arise; another round of suitable modifications can be suggested.