#1 2021-08-30 07:13:52

nimish.k

Member

From: INDIA

Registered: 2019-06-07

Posts: 9

Simplifying Modelling for a PV Module Frame

I have a job of doing an FE analysis on a already existing photovoltaic cell(PV) module.

A PV module frame - runs along a perimeter of a 2 m by 1 m glass rectangle. We will model the glass too, and "liasson-maille" it to the frame. 
The cross-section of the frame is what I have uploaded as an image - which is extruded along the perimeter of the module.
image1.png
As you can see - it has a lot of peculiar features added in to avoid stress concentrations.
We put this in as a face, in Salome - the mesh is going crazy with 60-80 million 3D elements. Takes 1 hour to just mesh it, and then there are issues of display.
This is a 40 mm X 40 mm cross-section extruded over a perimeter of 6000 mm (perimeter of the 2 m X 1 m rectangle). We are not even talking of the glass that would be in the interior of this perimeter that would need to be "stuck" to this frame using "Liaison-maille".

>> Is there an elegant way of modelling this - where, we model all this complexity only in the high stress regions - and remaining areas are simplified ?

>> Or we have 1 model which is a full model of crude geometry with same cross section properties ( Ixx, Iyy, A)  - and another model which is a "substructure" for the high stress regions ? Commercial softwares like ANSYS/ABAQUS give this as a "substructure-modelling" feature.

Any other way?

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Attachments:
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An optimist thinks the glass is half full, a pessimist thinks its half empty, a civil engineer thinks its twice the size it ought to be.

Volker

Member

From: Chemnitz

Registered: 2016-05-23

Posts: 92

Re: Simplifying Modelling for a PV Module Frame

A well-known rail vehicle manufacturer would model it like this:
(without waranty that your costumer wants it like this)
The proof concept for those is the nominal stress concept.

The first step is to derive the mid surface, that you obtain a clean shell model.
Secoundly meshing all as a compound to prevent that you need operator  "liasson-maille" etc..
Mesh zise sould be approx. 20 mm. Also try to suppress all driangle elements.

Use all symmetry conditon.. etc.
Then run time should only a couple of secounds.

I hope it helps you or other "code_aster" enthustiastics