Agustin de Betancourt’s Mechanical Dredger in the Port of Kronstadt: Analysis through Computer-Aided Engineering

This article analyzes the first self-propelled floating dredging machine designed and executed by Agustín de Betancourt in 1810 to dredge the port of Kronstadt (Russia). With this objective, a study of computer-aided engineering (CAE) has been carried out using the parametric software Autodesk Inven...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied sciences 2018-08, Vol.8 (8), p.1338
Main Authors: Rojas-Sola, José, De la Morena-De la Fuente, Eduardo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agustín de Betancourt
Aquatic environment
Autodesk Inventor Professional
Bolts
Buckets
CAE
Cast iron
Computer aided engineering
Computer simulation
computer-aided design
Conflicts of interest
Dredgers
Engineers
Environmental conditions
finite-element method
Inventors
mechanical dredger
mechanical engineering
Ships
static analysis
Steam engines
Supports
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Summary:This article analyzes the first self-propelled floating dredging machine designed and executed by Agustín de Betancourt in 1810 to dredge the port of Kronstadt (Russia). With this objective, a study of computer-aided engineering (CAE) has been carried out using the parametric software Autodesk Inventor Professional, consisting of a static analysis using the finite element method, of the 3D model which is reliable under operating conditions. The results have shown that the system of inertia drums proposed by Betancourt manages to dissipate the tensions between the different elements, locating the highest stresses in the links of the bucket rosary, specifically at the point of contact between links. Similarly, the maximum displacements and the greatest deformations (always associated with these points of greater stress), are far from reaching the limits of breakage of the material used in its construction, as well as the safety coefficient of the invention, confirming that the mechanism was oversized, as was generally the case at the time. This analysis highlights the talent of the Spanish engineer and his mastery of mechanics, in an invention, the first of its kind worldwide, which served the Russian Empire for many years.
ISSN:2076-3417
2076-3417
DOI:10.3390/app8081338