Kaylie Williams of Lockheed Martin and our principal engineer, Bart Kemper, presented today at the ASME 2021 International Mechanical Engineer Congress and Exposition, or IMECE. This year it is all done virtually just as it was last year. Where last year Kemper co-presented with Linda Cross, our biomechanical consultant, on “Design By Analysis for Glassy Polymers“, this paper is going into more depth. Titled, “Attempting To Establish Design Margins for Glassy Polymers In Critical Structural Service“, this explains how the current system used by the ASME Pressure Vessels for Human Occupany codes cannot be simply reverse engineered.
This was a critical finding in the Design By Analysis (DBA) method development because the current PVHO method has operated for almost 50 years without a single design-related failure. While there have been failed windows, it’s been due to exceeding operating temperatures, using the wrong cleaning chemicals, impact, and other mishap. This design margin must be quantified in order for it to be preserved in a more traditional method which was derived through experiment. This is part of KES’ ongoing support for developing a DBA method in order to safely and reliably spur innovation in industry ranging from aerospace to medical systems to deep sea exploration. The end state will be a method by which glassy polymers like acrylics, polycarbonate, and others can used as engineered structural elements with a published design code that will allow it to be part of critical systems including space habitats, hyperbaric chambers, submarines, and laboratory equipment.
While we appreciate the COVID protocols to keep the ASME members safe, we are looking forward to next year where we can meet and socialize in person.
Managing the lag time of the presentation versus the presenter’s screen.
Attempting To Establish Design Margins for Glassy Polymers In Critical Structural Service, DOI:10.1115/IMECE2021-71836
Bart Kemper using a green screen during the ASME International Congress 2021
Bart Kemper during the Question and Answer period
Recent Comments