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.
Controlled residual stresses introduction to improve fatigue resistance of rotary shouldered connections used in oil drilling industry
An innovative technique is proposed with the aim of increasing the fatigue strength of rotary shouldered connections. The objective is to generate controlled compressive residual stresses at the most stressed zones (i.e., the threat root regions) to delay fatigue crack nucleation. The residual stresses are introduced through controlled application of an over-make-up torque of the joint and then returning to the nominal torque. The adequacy of the method was demonstrated through two experimental arrangements at laboratory scale, which employed specimens of reduced size. Results suggest that significant increases in the fatigue life of joints can be achieved applying this technique.
Experimental study on bond behavior between high-strength grout and deformed steel bars
Abstract Engineers use high-strength grout to connect precast concrete members for its low shrinkage and good fluidity. This paper designed 87 central pull-out specimens using the control variable method to investigate the influence of factors on the rebar-grout bond property such as compressive strength, steel grade, bar diameter, transverse stirrups, and bond length. The test result showed that improving grout compressive strength (85.8 MPa–122.7 MPa) cannot improve the bond strength, which was different from the previous conclusions of concrete pull-out tests. Simplified formulas were presented for calculating the characteristic values of bond strength, residual strength, peak slip, and relative slip of load-holding platform based on parameter analysis. Then, a constitutive model was proposed to predict the full-range bond stress-slip curve of high-strength grout and steel bar specimens from bearing to failure. Finally, FEA models were established to evaluate the applicability and accuracy of the constitutive model.