Fitness-for-Purpose Evaluation of Hydraulic Steel Structures

Abstract

Hydraulic structures such as locks, spillway gates, and maintenance closure structures may have fabrication defects and flaws that can be large enough to threaten the integrity of the structure. In addition, some defects that are not allowed based on stringent specifications are not at all harmful to the structure. Fitness-for-purpose evaluation is a method for determining a factor of safety against fracture and the risk of collapse in existing structures. This report discusses the different types of hydraulic steel structures, typical fatigue cracks that could exist in such structures, and details that could lead to brittle fracture. Using steps developed by the British Standards Institute, the report describes a fitness-for-purpose evaluation procedure for hydraulic control structures under Mode I loading, including how large a crack-like discontinuity would have to be before it could lead to fracture in a typical steel member.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 2007
Accession Number
ADA474623

Entities

People

  • Guillermo A Riveros
  • Hussam N. Mahmoud
  • Joseph A. Padula
  • Robert J. Dexter

Organizations

  • University of Minnesota

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Civil Engineering
  • Construction
  • Dams
  • Engineers
  • Fabrication
  • Failure Mode And Effect Analysis
  • Fracture (Mechanics)
  • Grain Size
  • Materials
  • Mechanical Working
  • Mechanics
  • Standards
  • Stress Corrosion
  • Structural Components
  • Structural Engineering
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Transition Temperature

Readers

  • Hydraulic Engineering.
  • Structural Health Monitoring of Composite Structures.
  • Systems Analysis and Design