Month: December 2015

Release alert: ProteusDS v2.20.0 is now available

Posted on December 21, 2015
Dean Steinke

We are very excited to announce that the latest update for ProteusDS is here! This update adds some exciting key features, small changes and addresses known issues.

Your existing 2015 download credentials (paid customers only) will work to download the newest version of the software. You can download v2.20.0 on our website and updated tutorials can be found here.

Proteus DS Logo

Key enhancements:

Additions

  • Added a new wind-generated current model.
  • Added the ability to import features from previous simulations or part libraries into new projects in PST. In addition DSA has added new part libraries (chain, wire rope, dyneema®) for cables to its website.
  • Added additional visualization options to the pre-visualizer in the ProteusDS Simulation Toolbox.
  • Added the ability to perform rotations on DObjects in the ProteusDS Simulation Toolbox.
  • Added support for spherical, universal, and helical ABA connections in the ProteusDS Simulation Toolbox.
  • Added file output for internal reaction loads for SCable and Cable, printing out to reactionLoads.dat. Gives axial, bending and torsional reaction loads at the boundaries.
  • Added a centre of buoyancy approximation calculation for mesh based features.
  • Added Reynolds number and KC number dependence capability for net drag coefficients.
  • Added the ability to define turbine thrust and torque coefficients as a function of hub relative velocity.
  • Added turbine scheduling capability (shutdowns and restarts).
  • Added ability to read input files line termination styles not previously supported.
  • Added asymmetric drag coefficients for mesh based features. (can define different drag coefficient for backward motion than for forward motion).

Changes

  • Changed the default generation method for wave segments to improve energy realization in the sea state. Note that this change will result in a slightly different sea state being generated than in previous versions. If the identical sea state must be used, please refer to the $WaveType functionality to import an existing WaveParameters.dat file
  • Modified the cable re-meshing functionality in the ProteusDS Simulation Toolbox to allow users to specify custom element lengths
  • Extended wave spectrum file output to include directional spreading information
  • DNet panel solidity will now be overridden if limit is violated to avoid numerical ill conditioning.
  • Drag loading is split into hydro and wind drag loading in the dragLoading.dat file for mesh based hydrodynamic features.
  • Made changes to RigidBodys so that when the $CB is out of the water its $Buoyancy force ceases to be applied.
  • Documentation Change: Angular joint properties are used for helical joints
  • Documentation Change: CDt is actually based on cable diameter (FluidDiameter) and not the cable circumference.

Resolved Issues

  • Addressed an issue involving the $TRamp property
  • Addressed issue with Extmasses on SCable with pay in/payout
  • Addressed an issue in the PostPDS that artificially capped the maximum number of wave segments to 99% of wave segments present in the simulation
  • Addressed issue affecting Universal and Spherical ABA joints
  • Addressed constraint force file output issue for ABA force connections
  • If you have any questions, or concerns please don’t hesitate to email support@dsa-ltd.ca

Happy Holidays!
DSA

ProteusDS v2.20

Posted on December 18, 2015
Lauren Dunn

Release Date: December 18th, 2015 (v2.20)

ProteusDS v2.20 Release Announcement

Additions

  • Added a new wind-generated current model.
  • Added the ability to import Features from previous simulations into the ProteusDS Simulation Toolbox.
  • Added additional visualization options to the pre-visualizer in the ProteusDS Simulation Toolbox.
  • Added the ability to perform rotations on DObjects in the ProteusDS Simulation Toolbox.
  • Added support for spherical, universal, and helical ABA connections in the ProteusDS Simulation toolbox.

Changes

  • Modified the cable remeshing functionality in the ProteusDS Simulation Toolbox to allow users to specify custom element lengths.
  • Changed the default generation method for wave segments to improve energy realization in the sea state. Note that this change will result in a slightly different sea state being generated than in previous versions. If the identical sea state must be used, please refer to the $WaveType functionality to import an existing ‘WaveParameters.dat’ file.

Resolved Issues

  • Addressed an issue involving the $TRamp property.
  • Addressed an issue in the in PostPDS that artificially capped the maximum number of wave segments to 99% of the wave segments present in the simulation.

DSA Employee Featured in World Aquaculture Magazine

Posted on December 17, 2015
Lauren Dunn

Bridging the Gap

Environmentally Friendly Aquaculture Design

Did you know that aquaculture is responsible for the production of roughly 50% of the world’s seafood? In Canada aquaculture accounts for 14% of the total Canadian fisheries production and 33% of its value. The aquaculture industry plays a vital role in all Canadian provinces and territories, employing nearly 10,000 people primarily in small communities.

Aquaculture has been around for thousands of years but has only been recognized as an industry in western society for four decades. During this time period, poor government regulation, environmental impacts and lack of industry promotion has had a negative impact on the image of the aquaculture industry.

In steps Adam Turner, a recent graduate of the Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering program at the University of New Brunswick, who is currently a Mechanical Engineer in Training at Dynamic Systems Analysis (DSA). Adam’s master’s thesis focused on the hydrodynamic wake properties of scale model fish cages and fish cage arrays, to gain a better understanding of wake velocity, wake topology, wake turbulence and wake recovery. The results of his work are being used to better understand how to place extractive species in aquaculture farms for optimized nutrient extraction.

By focusing his studies on how water moves through fish cages and cage arrays, Adam is helping the aquaculture industry understand how current flow will impact nutrient and waste flow, and how that impacts surrounding habitats. Adam also draws attention to the vital role extractive species (mussels, sea cucumbers, kelp, etc.) play in and around aquaculture farms, as they have a natural ability to recycle nutrients or waste, making them a living filter.

Green dye can be seen moving with the current flow.

Adam’s scale model testing research (currently featured in the December Issue of the World Aquaculture Magazine), suggests that the placement of extractive species, and current flow through cages should be an important consideration for any aquaculture farm as it will help to reduce the environmental impact these farms have on the surrounding marine environment.

From theory to practice, Turner is focusing his attention on aquaculture engineering projects at Dynamic Systems Analysis using their ProteusDS software. The software plays a vital role in allowing Adam to easily and effectively conduct mooring, motion and anchoring analyses, with use of ProteusDS’ built in hydrodynamic cable and net models. The data gained from these assessments will play a vital role in helping producers and site managers in the protection and maintenance of their aquaculture farms.

 

Heading to Aquaculture 2016 in Las Vegas? Check out Adam’s session IMTA/Aquaculture on Wednesday, February 24th at 10:30am.