Modeling of Aquaculture PET Net with the Use of Finite Element Method

Abstract

In this master thesis the structural modeling of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) net panel has been done using finite element software (ABAQUS). The model was built corresponding to the net panel experiment performed by SINTEF Fisheries and Aquaculture. The construction of the model was done by using Timoshenko beam element (B31) and performing static analysis. The current forces from the experiment (2.63N, 6.9N, 11.9N, 17.99N and 25.6N) were simulated using line loads completely distributed over the net panel model. In addition, big challenges were found when constructed the vertical bar due to the complex geometry of PET net, for that reason the model was simplified in the vertical bar. The displacements of the model were bigger with increasing the applied load, same reaction as the experiments. While comparing the results with the experiment it was found that the ABAQUS model had a good matching at bigger loads. However it is was concluded that the model can structurally simulate in a good grade the behavior of the net panel from the experiment.