EM221 Visits the 12m Satellite Dish

  POSTED ON: Tuesday, October 29, 2024 11:00 AM by Christine Maceo

On September 26, 2024, 3/C lab classes in EM221 (Mechanics for Nuclear Engineering, taught by Professor Samar Malek) took an on-yard field trip to observe bolt replacement on the counterweight system of the 12m satellite antenna on Hospital Point.  The twelve bolts that support the 70,000-lb counterweight system were replaced preventatively, to preempt bending and shearing that can happen over time.  The bolt replacement project required intricate rigging to support the weight without affecting the structure itself.  The students observed the internal stresses and strains that developed in the bolts over decades, learned how those stresses and strains lead to deformation and failure, and how to design a structure against failure.

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Category: Academics