Transcript Foundations for Offshore Wind Towers

Marissa Blakley
YES Prep Public Schools – Houston, Texas
Dr. Giovanna Biscontin & Dr. Charles Aubeny
Department of Civil Engineering
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The strong lateral forces present
at sea cause wind turbines to
vibrate, or rock back and forth.
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These vibrations cause the soil at
the bottom of the ocean to
weaken, creating a vertical angle
between the pile and ocean floor.
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If this angle exceeds 5o, the wind
turbine stops producing energy.
Texas A&M University, Department of Civil Engineering
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In order to measure the strength of the
soil, the research team conducted T-bar
and Mini Shear Vane tests using soil
mined and shipped from Florida.
Teachers were responsible for mixing
powdered clay and water to a
predetermined water content of 55%,
and determining the soil strength by
running each of the tests.
Data was collected using the T-bar, Mini
Shear Vane, Basic DAQ and Smart
Motor Interface computer software.
The T-bar test recorded voltages and
then multiplied by the calibration factor
giving force, which is an indicator of
soil strength.
The Mini Shear Vane test recorded
voltages and
multiplied by the
calibration factor giving torque.
With these different methods of
collecting data, we were able to
improve our understanding of the soil
mechanics in the ocean.
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Enduring Understandings
◦ Using the Unit Circle and right triangle trigonometry, we can
generate the graphs for the sinusoidal functions y = sin(x)
and y = cos(x).
◦ Sinusoidal functions can be used to model real world
applications – the rise and fall of tides, pendulum motion, the
movement of weights supported by springs, etc.
◦ All previous transformations of functions can be applied to
sinusoidal functions.
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Essential Questions
◦ How does understanding the unit circle, lead to the
construction of the graphs of 𝑦 = sin(𝑥) and 𝑦 = cos(𝑥)?
◦ What types of real-world problems can be modeled and
solved using trigonometry?
◦ How are graphic representations of the trigonometric
functions useful in understanding real-life phenomena?
TEKS
Use functions
such as logarithmic,
exponential,
trigonometric,
polynomial, etc. to
model real-life data
3.B -
3.E - Solve problems from
physical situations using
trigonometry, including the
use of Law of Sines, Law
of Cosines, and area
formulas and incorporate
radian measure where
needed.
College Board
PC.2.1.1 - Graphs functions of
the form f (t) = A sin(Bt + C) + D
or g(t) = A cos(Bt + C) + D, and
interprets A, B, C, and D in
terms of amplitude, frequency,
period, and vertical and phase
shift.
PC.1.1.6 - Compares and contrasts
characteristics of different
families of functions, such as
trigonometric functions, and
translates among verbal,
tabular, graphical, and symbolic
representations of functions.
PC.2.1.5 - Constructs the
graphs of the trigonometric
functions, and describes
their behavior, including
periodicity, amplitude,
zeros, and symmetries.
YES
PC.4.1 – Analyzing
periodic functions
PC.5.1 – Graphing
the sine and cosine
functions
PC.5.2 – Writing sinusoidal
functions from graphs and
written descriptions
PC.5.3 – Application
problems involving
sinusoidal functions
Amplitude
 Period
 Midline
 Periodic Function
 Periodic Phenomena
 Sinusoidal Function
 Sinusoidal
Regression
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Geotechnical
Engineering
 Wind Turbine
 Monopile
 Blades
 Low-g Accelerometer
 Energy
Diversification
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ENGAGE.
What is engineering to
you? Based on your
prior experiences,
what do you think an
engineer does?
ENGAGE.
What are the different kinds of engineering?
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Aerospace
Agricultural
Biological
Biomedical
Chemical
Civil
Computer Science
Electrical
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Engineering
Technology
Industrial Distribution
Industrial & Systems
Mechanical
Nuclear
Petroleum
EXPLORE.
EXPLORE.
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Coastal
Ocean
Construction
Environmental
Geotechnical
Materials
Structural
Transportation
Water Resources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geotechnical_engineering
EXPLAIN.
EXPLAIN.
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The Task
◦ In teams of four, design an offshore wind turbine
with budget and specification guidelines that will
perform under sea-like conditions.
EXPLAIN.
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The Model
◦ Create a subsurface structure that will attach to a
wind tower no larger than 18 vertical inches with
attached blades.
EXPLAIN.
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The Budget
◦ All models must be completed using the provided
materials, and each group must remain at or under
their project budget–60 Eddy bucks.
EXPLAIN.
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The Materials
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Sheets of plastic $6/sheet
Wooden dowels $3 each
Popsicle sticks $2 each
Toothpicks $0.10 each
Pipe Cleaners $2 each
Glue Stick $5 each
Straws $1 each
Sheets of cardstock $2/sheet
Rubber bands $1 each
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Pushpins $2 each
Large paper clips $1 each
Small paper clips$0.50 each
Brads $4 each
Sheets of foam $2/sq. in.
Paint sticks $3 each
Duct tape $0.50/6 inch piece
Scissors $2 each
ELABORATE.
Mr. Tim Chinn, Texas A&M University
ELABORATE.
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The Tracker
ELABORATE.
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The Tests
◦ Each team’s model will be tested in two ways:
 How much does the structure vibrate when put under
wind conditions?
 How much weight can be applied before each structure
fails?
Vernier.com
ELABORATE.
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The majority of Day 2 will be spent in the
design phase of the engineering design
process.
Each team will be provided with a bucket full
of the soil mixture (75% water content) to test
their creations.
As they work on their models, teams will be
allowed to simulate testing conditions &
improve their designs.
EVALUATE.
Test 1: How much does the
structure vibrate when put
under wind-like conditions?
Test 2: How much weight
can be applied before each
structure fails?
EVALUATE.
EVALUATE.
7.
Over the course of one day, a team of scientists has recorded the ground temperature,
measured in oF, as a function of the time t, measured in hours since midnight. The scientists
have agreed that this data is periodic and can be properly modeled using a sinusoidal function.
t
6
7
8
9
12
15
18
21
23
oF
76
80
85
90
104
109
104
100
80
Based on this model, which of the following statements is true?
I. The maximum temperature in the desert occurs before 2:00 p.m.
II. Between midnight and 6:00 a.m., the temperature remains below 76 oF
III. The temperature in the desert is decreasing between 3:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m.
A. I only
D.
II and III only.
E.
I, II and III
B. II only
C. I and III only
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Dr. Giovanna Biscontin
Dr. Charles Aubeny
Ryan Beemer
Madahuri Murali
Francisco Grajales
Michelle Bernhardt
Silvia Vital
3
E Team