Structural behavior of large-scale triangular and trapezoidal threaded steel tie rods in assembly using finite element analysis
Abstract Pre-stressed steel tie rods are used extensively as load carrying components in structures like suspension bridges, steering systems in automotive vehicles, wings and fuselage of aircrafts, spokes of Ferris wheels, etc. The governing variables for the bearing strength of a large-scale steel tie rod (of diameter usually larger than 60 mm) include the mechanical strength of the tie rod body, geometric configuration of the thread teeth and the number of turns of thread engagement. The optimal number of turns of threaded connections of large scale steel tie rods has been predicted by full scale rupture experiments and reported previously by the authors. This paper builds up further on that work and investigates the structural behavior of the two types of threaded connections of steel tie rods, viz. (i) the triangle threaded connection, and (ii) the trapezoidal threaded connection, using finite element analysis in ANSYS. The axial displacement, equivalent stress distribution, interfacial contact pressure and sliding distance on the engaged thread teeth under different axial loads are presented and analyzed. The numerical simulations verify and expound the results of full-scale tensile rupture experiments. The concordant comparison between experimental measurements and finite element analysis provides working guidelines and support for the design and fabrication of steel tie rods in practical operations.
AISI 4140 Steel Fatigue Performance: Cd Replacement by Electroplated Zn-Ni Alloy Coating
The fatigue behavior of electrodeposited Zn-Ni alloy coating was investigated for its suitability to replace Cd coatings in AISI 4140 steel studs applied in oil and gas industries due to environmental and human health considerations. Axial fatigue tests were carried out at room temperature and statistically analyzed through two-parameter Weibull distribution. The coatings characterization included chemical composition and corrosion resistance analysis through energy-dispersive spectroscopy and salt spray tests, respectively. Furthermore, the fracture surfaces were observed using scanning electron microscopy, and the stress gradient in studs was obtained through finite element analysis. The experimental results showed that the notch sensibility was higher for high-cycle fatigue regime, varying from 0.20 to 0.61 for 10 4 and 10 5 cycles, respectively. The stress concentration effect influenced the fatigue life of the component, especially for low-stress levels, decreasing the fatigue strength in about 9% for 10 4 cycles and more than 20% for 10 5 cycles. The experimental fatigue data showed an increase in axial fatigue strength of about 8% for 10 5 cycles for electrodeposited Zn-Ni coating specimens, indicating feasibility with respect to fatigue behavior of the substitution of electrodeposited Cd for a Zn-Ni alloy.
Evaluation of buckling load and dynamic performance of steel shear wall retrofitted with strips made of shape memory alloy
One of the most imperfections of the steel shear wall is out of plane displacements that cause severe damage in both structural and non-structural elements. In this paper, the effects of shape-memory alloys on steel shear walls are investigated. First, a numerical analysis using the finite element method in ABAQUS software has been carried out according to an experimental test. The results of the numerical analysis have been verified with experimental results. Next, shape-memory alloy fibers have been added vertically and horizontally to various parts of the steel shear wall. The results show that retrofitting with the shape-memory alloy reduces the out-of-plane displacement of the steel shear wall under both cyclic and seismic loadings. Besides, the buckling load in the steel shear wall increases when it is retrofitted with the shape-memory alloy. Also, the total out-of-plane movement (accumulated absolute displacements) of the steel shear wall and non-structural damage are controlled by the characteristic of a shape-memory alloy material called “super-elastic”.