The structural behaviour of single shear bolted connections and double shear bolted connections of cold-formed stainless steel at elevated temperatures and post-fire condition has been investigated in this study. The current design rules on bolted connections of cold-formed stainless steel are mainly based on those of carbon steel, and are applicable for room (ambient) temperature condition only. These design rules may not be applicable for elevated temperatures. Therefore, design guidelines should be prepared for bolted connections of cold-formed stainless steel structures at elevated temperatures. The key findings of the investigation are described in the following paragraphs. A total of 25 tensile coupon tests were conducted to investigate the material deterioration of three different grades of stainless steel at elevated temperatures. The stainless steels are austenitic stainless steel EN 1.4301 (AISI 304) and EN 1.4571 (AISI 316Ti having small amount of titanium) as well as lean duplex stainless steel EN 1.4162 (AISI S32101). Totally 434 tests on bolted connections of stainless steel were performed in the temperature ranged from 22 to 950 ºC using both steady state and transient state test methods. The test results were compared with the nominal strengths calculated from the American Specification, Australian/New Zealand Standard and European codes for stainless steel structures. In calculating the nominal strengths of the connections, the material properties at elevated temperatures were used in the design equations for room temperature. It is shown that the nominal strengths predicted by these specifications are generally conservative at elevated temperatures. A total of 78 cold-formed stainless steel single shear and double shear bolted connections were tested in post-fire condition. The test results were compared with those tested at room temperature. Generally, it is found that the bolted connection strengths in post-fire condition cooling down from 350 and 650 ºC are higher than those tested at room temperature for all three grades of stainless steel. Finite element models for single shear and double shear bolted connections were developed and verified against the experimental results. Static analysis technique was used in the numerical analyses. Extensive parametric studies that included 450 specimens were performed using the verified finite element models to evaluate the bearing resistances of bolted connections of stainless steel at elevated temperatures. Design equations for bearing resistances of cold-formed stainless steel single shear and double shear bolted connections were proposed based on both the experimental and numerical results in the temperature ranged from 22 to 950 ºC. The bearing resistances of bolted connections obtained from the tests and the finite element analyses were compared with the nominal strengths calculated using the current design rules and also compared with the predicted strengths calculated using the proposed design equations. It is shown that the proposed design equations are generally more accurate and reliable in predicting the bearing resistances of bolted connections at elevated temperatures than the current design rules. The reliability of the current and proposed design rules was evaluated using reliability analysis. The proposed design equations are recommended for bolted connections assembled using cold-formed stainless steels. / published_or_final_version / Civil Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

The high temperature, high pressure electrochemical behavior of A516 Gr. 70 carbon steel in aqueous alkaline sulfide solutions was studied by means of polarization tests and cyclic volt-ammetry. The effects of variation of temperature (90-150°C), sulfide concentration (0-3 m), scan rate (1-50 mV/s) and scan range, and the effects of stirring and polarization at the switching potentials between scans were investigated. Passivation was consistent with formation of a protective Fe₂O₃ film. An understanding of the electrochemical behavior of iron in the alkaline sulfide solutions was facilitated by the construction of E-pH diagrams for S-H₂0 and Fe-S-H₂O systems at 25, 100 and 150°C. Sulfide, S²-, currently considered to be stable only at extremely high pH, was excluded from the E-pH diagrams. Reference electrodes, compatible with sulfide solution, were designed for use with an autoclave. The response of the Ag/Ag₂S electrode (SSSE) to variation of temperature, sulfide and hydroxide concentration, and chloride addition was studied. Liquid junction potential and thermal liquid junction potential corrections were applied. The SSSE was not reliably predictable thermodynamically, but was stable and was proven effective in the polarization study. The electrochemical potentials of inert metal reference electrodes, Hg and Pt, were found to be consistent with the mixed potential between polysulfide Sײ⁻, and thiosulfate, S₂O₃²⁻. The Tafel slopes from anodic polarization curves of Pt in alkaline sulfide solutions were consistent with oxidation of HS⁻ to S₂0₃²⁻ at the mixed potential. At more noble potentials, oxidation to polysulfide occurred. Reaction path mechanisms were proposed. Understanding of sulfide oxidation aided in interpretation of the electrochemical behavior of steel in the alkaline sulfide solutions. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Mining Engineering, Keevil Institute of / Graduate

Current research on thermal effects on guideways has addressed many aspects of the behavior of guideways using two-dimensional models. The two-dimensional models are acceptable for existing guideway designs, in which cross sectional shapes are uniform along the length of the guideway. However, three-dimensional models are necessary for a modular design, in which the track structures that interact with Maglev vehicles are made separately and are assembled into the support structure, and in which the cross sectional shapes are not uniform. A three-dimensional numerical model of the thermal environment, in which the effect of partial shading is taken into account, is implemented for the study of guideway behavior under various thermal environments. The numerical model of the thermal environment is calibrated to the experimental results under the thermal environment at Austin, Texas, and is extrapolated to predict the behaviors of guideways under the thermal environment in Las Vegas, Nevada, which is one of the candidate sites for the implementation and deployment of the high speed Maglev transportation system. This study addresses the suitability of a modular steel guideway design under such a thermal environment. Characteristics of the behavior of guideways under various thermal environments are identified, and the behavior of guideways under the effect of partial shading is summarized. / text

In this study, it was shown that improvements in the quality of continuously cast steel billets, similar to those which can be achieved by electromagnetic stirring (EMS) of the liquid pool during solidification, can be obtained if casting superheats can be consistently controlled at low levels. A lack of casting temperature control is not only detrimental to the quality of the cast product, but also to a shop's overall productivity. The important variables for temperature control in the ladle, tundish and mould were quantified and possible methods of controlling these variables were proposed. / The thermal state of the ladle lining is one of the major contributors to the variability in casting temperature. It was shown that by reducing energy losses from the refractory ladle lining, by way of incorporating an insulating refractory tile between the ladle shell and the safety lining and by using a ladle lid throughout the cycle of the ladle, temperature losses from the liquid steel can be substantially decreased. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

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O presente trabalho apresenta uma análise numérica do desempenho térmico de painéis construídos utilizando o sistema light steel framing (LSF) submetido a ação térmica decorrente de um incêndio. O objeto de estudo foram painéis utilizados na construção de duas casas modelo localizadas na Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná campus Curitiba, construídas com materiais disponíveis comercialmente no Brasil e as análises utilizaram propriedades disponibilizadas pelos fabricantes e pela norma brasileira. A análise numérica foi realizada no software ANSYS, com base no método dos elementos finitos em análise térmica transiente. O modelo foi validado com base em comparação com análises experimentais pesquisadas na literatura. Quatro painéis obtidos das casas modelo foram analisados. Os painéis que utilizaram lã de PET para preenchimento da cavidade foram também analisados com preenchimento de lã de vidro. Um painel simples, com a cavidade preenchida por ar foi analisado para ser usado como referência. Por fim, com a utilização de coeficientes de redução da resistência ao escoamento propostos pela ABNT NBR 14323:2001, determinou-se a redução da resistência do aço do perfil de acordo com o tempo de exposição ao incendio e o tempo de resistência ao fogo dos perfis. Com base nos resultados obtidos é possível afirmar que mesmo para os paneis com pior desempenho, a proteção obtida pode ser suficiente, a depender do carregamento aplicado ao montante e do Tempo requerido de resistência ao fogo necessário. O presente trabalho apresenta informação relevante sobre o desempenho térmico em situação de incêndio do sistema LSF constituído com materiais brasileiros. / The thermal performance of light steel framing (LSF) panels was the objective of this study. The study subject was panels used in the construction of two model houses located at Federal Technology University – Parana, built with materials commercially available in Brazil. The analysis was set with material properties from the manufacturer and in compliance with the Brazilian regulation, using the finite element method for a transient thermal analysis. The model validation was based on experimental tests available in the literature. Based on the validated model, the four panels have been analyzed. Two of the panels used PET wool in the cavity for insulation and the analysis was repeated with them replacing it for glass wool. A panel with no insulation was also analyzed to be used as reference. Based on the analysis results and the resistance reduction coefficients proposed by ABNT NBR 14323:2001, the resistance decrease of the studs due to the fire exposure and the panels resistance to fire were determined. Based on the obtained results, it can be affirmed that, depending on the applied load and the required Equivalent time of fire exposure, even the less protective configuration of the panels presented can be viable. The current study presented relevant information about the performance of LSF manufactured in Brazil when exposed to fire.