• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.55 no.12
• /
• pp.4637-4641
• /
• 2023

For nuclear decommissioning applications, a study was conducted to investigate the feasibility of using a laser for long-distance cutting in complex structures. Cutting tests were performed on stainless steel plates with thicknesses ranging from 10 mm to 30 mm at distances of 300 mm-700 mm from the laser head, using a laser power of 6 kW. Remarkably, the 10 mm and 20 mm thick stainless-steel plates were successfully cut at a distance of 700 mm from the head. Based on the trends observed in the results, it is anticipated that these thicknesses could also be cut at distances of approximately 1 m. Similarly, the 30 mm thick stainless-steel plate was effectively cut at a distance of 500 mm from the head. To evaluate the amount of secondary waste generated, the kerf width was measured. Due to the long-distance cutting, the average kerf width ranged from 6 mm to 16 mm. Despite the wider kerf width, long-distance cutting holds promise for efficiently handling hard-to-reach targets in nuclear decommissioning scenarios.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.427-446
• /
• 2020

This paper carries out the progressive collapse analysis of stainless steel composite beam-to-column joint sub-models and moment-resisting frames under column removal scenarios. The static flexural response of composite joint sub-models with damaged columns was initially explored via finite element methods, which was validated by independent experimental results and discussed in terms of moment-rotation relationships, plastic hinge behaviour and catenary actions. Simplified finite element methods were then proposed and applied to the frame analysis which aimed to elaborate the progressive collapse response at the frame level. Nonlinear static and dynamic analysis were employed to evaluate the dynamic increase factor (DIF) for stainless steel composite frames. The results suggest that the catenary action effect plays an important role in preventing the damaged structure from dramatic collapse. The beam-to-column joints could be critical components that influence the capacity of composite frames and dominate the determination of dynamic increase factor. The current design guidance is non-conservative to provide proper DIF for stainless steel composite frames, and thus new DIF curves are expected to be proposed.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.73-92
• /
• 2012

The effect of element interaction and material nonlinearity on the ultimate capacity of stainless steel plated cross-sections is investigated in this paper. The focus of the research lies in cross-sections failing by local buckling; member instabilities, distortional buckling and interactions thereof with local buckling are not considered. The cross-sections investigated include rectangular hollow sections (RHS), I sections and parallel flange channels (PFC). Based on previous finite element investigations of structural stainless steel stub columns, parametric studies were conducted and the ultimate capacity of the aforementioned cross-sections with a range of element slendernesses and aspect ratios has been obtained. Various design methods, including the effective width approach, the direct strength method (DSM), the continuous strength method (CSM) and a design method based on regression analysis, which accounts for element interaction, were assessed on the basis of the numerical results, and the relative merits and weaknesses of each design approach have been highlighted. Element interaction has been shown to be significant for slender cross-sections, whilst the behaviour of stocky cross-sections is more strongly influenced by the material strain-hardening characteristics. A modification to the continuous strength method has been proposed to allow for the effect of element interaction, which leads to more reliable ultimate capacity predictions. Comparisons with available test data have also been made to demonstrate the enhanced accuracy of the proposed method and its suitability for the treatment of local buckling in stainless steel cross-sections.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.141-156
• /
• 2019

This paper presents the flexural behaviour of stainless steel beam-to-tubular column joints with extended endplates subjected to static loading. Moment-rotation relationships were investigated numerically by using Abaqus software with geometric and material nonlinearity considered. The prediction of damages among components was achieved through ductile damage models, and the influence of initial geometric imperfections and residual stresses was evaluated in large fabricated stainless steel joints involving hollow columns and concrete-filled columns. Parametric analysis was subsequently conducted to assess critical factors that could affect the flexural performance significantly in terms of the initial stiffness and moment resistance. A comparison between codes of practice and numerical results was thereafter made, and design recommendations were proposed for further applications. Results suggest that the finite element model can predict the structural behaviour reasonably well with the component damage consistent with test outcomes. Initial geometric imperfections and residual stresses are shown to have little effect on the moment-rotation responses. A series of parameters that can influence the joint behaviour remarkably include the strain-hardening exponents, stainless steel strength, diameter of bolts, thickness of endplates, position of bolts, section of beams and columns. AS/NZS 2327 is more reliable to predict the joint performance regarding the initial stiffness and moment capacity compared to EN 1993-1-8.

• Journal of Power System Engineering
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.36-41
• /
• 2016

Effects of austenite on the pitting corrosion in 202 stainless steel with two phase of austenite and martensite were investigated through the electrochemical polarization test. Two phases structures of martensite and austenite were obtained by reversed annealing treatment at the range of $500^{\circ}C-700^{\circ}C$ for 10min. in 70% cold-rolled 202 stainless steel. Volume fraction of reversed austenite has increased rapidly with an increase of annealing temperature. Pitting corrosion has arisen mainly on martensite phase in 202 stainless steel with two phases of austenite and martensite. Pitting current density has decreased with an increase of volume fraction of austenite. Consequently, pitting corrosion at martensite has occurred largely with an increase of volume fraction of austenite. Pitting corrosion was affected by volume fraction of austenite.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.310-317
• /
• 1995

Crack detection technique by ultrasonics in structures and components made of austenitic stainless steel often loses its reliability due to the material characteristics during inservice inspection of nuclear power plants, especially in the area of detection and sizing in centrifugally cast stainless steel pipings. In order to understand and overcome this problem, computer program for tracing the ultrasonic rays within material has been developed to simulate the process of defect detection within weld. The program simulates through transmission and reflection technique in crack detection of austenitic stainless steel as well as ultrasonic beam propagation through multiple media including stainless steel cladding interface.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.629-659
• /
• 2016

In cold-formed stainless steel lipped channel-sections, web openings are becoming increasingly popular. Such openings, however, result in the sections becoming more susceptible to web crippling, especially under concentrated loads applied near the web opening. This paper presents the results of a finite element parametric study into the effect of circular web openings on the web crippling strength of cold-formed stainless steel lipped channel-sections for the interior-one-flange (IOF) loading condition. This involves a bearing load applied to the top flange of a length of member, away from the end supports. The cases of web openings located centred beneath the bearing load (i.e. beneath the bearing plate delivering the load) and offset to the bearing plate, are considered. Three grades of stainless steel are considered: duplex EN1.4462, austenitic EN1.4404 and ferretic EN1.4003. In total, 2218 finite element models were analyzed. From the results of the parametric study, strength reduction factors for load bearing capacity are determined, where these reduction factors are applied to the bearing capacity calculated for a web without openings, to take account the influence of the web openings. The strength reduction factors are first compared to equations recently proposed for cold-formed carbon steel lipped channel-sections. It is shown that for the case of the duplex grade, the strength reduction factor equations for cold-formed carbon steel are conservative but only by 2%. However, for the cases of the austentic and ferritic grades, the cold-formed carbon steel equations are around 9% conservative. New strength reduction factor equations are proposed for all three stainless steel grades.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.253-269
• /
• 2014

Among the various alternatives to make a steel tubular member connection, making a slotted and gusset plate welded connection is one of the most frequently preferred alternatives. This type of connection is essentially an end connection that is made by slotting the tube longitudinally, inserting the gusset plate and then placing longitudinal fillet welds at the tube-to-plate interface. In this paper an experimental study on the behaviour of such connections in stainless steel is presented. 24 specimens were tested under concentrically applied axial tensile forces for varying tube-to-gusset plate weld lengths. Both circular and box section members were considered in the test program. Load-deformation curves were obtained and comparisons were made in terms of strength and ductility. The results obtained from the study were then critically examined and compared with currently available design guidance for slotted gusset plate welded tubular end connections. It is noted that no specific rules exist in international specifications on structural stainless steel which cover the design of such connections. Therefore, the results of this study are compared with the existing design rules for carbon steel.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.48 no.5
• /
• pp.507-530
• /
• 2023

The number of studies investigating the response of concrete-filled tubes (CFTs) under shear has been very limited in the literature. This lack of research has been traditionally reflected in international design standards as rather conservative shear strength predictions for CFTs. The dearth of research on the shear response is even more pronounced for the case of concrete-filled stainless steel tubes (CFSSTs). In line with this, the present study investigates the shear response of circular and square CFSSTs using advanced finite element (FE) analysis. A thorough review of the previous studies on the shear response of carbon steel CFTs is provided along with a summary of past experimental programmes as well as the developed and codified design methods. A comprehensive numerical study is then conducted considering a wide range of circular and square, austenitic and lean duplex CFSSTs with different concrete infills and shear span-to-depth ratios. The effect of the tail length on the shear response is investigated and the minimum required tail length for achieving full shear capacity is established. The simulations are also used to highlight the importance of the dilation of the concrete core in the shear response of concrete-filled tubes and its relationship with the utilised boundary conditions. Furthermore, the numerical results are compared in detail with the predictions of design approaches developed previously for carbon steel CFTs and their accuracy and applicability to the stainless steel counterpart are demonstrated and recommendations are made accordingly.

• Journal of Korean Association for Spatial Structures
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.59-66
• /
• 2016

Recently damage of structures and loss of life by terrorism are internationally increasing. Among these terror that have a possibility to can happen in korea and that can caused lot of human life loss is the vehicle terror. To prevent the vehicle terror, the anti-ram barriers are needed. But domestic standard about anti-ram barriers are not clear. So, in this study, we will utilize and analyze the vehicle impact to evaluate the efficiency of the domestic bollard and suggest the installation standard of those. In Korea, granite, elastic, steel and stainless bollard are used. The performance of those bollard is not available. Elastic bollard couldn't stop the vehicle, and the others just could stop the vehicle only at the speed under 10kph. Therefore, set the variable to reinforce, and evaluate the defence efficiency of bollard. As a result, granite and elastic bollard was not suitable for the anti-ram barriers. Performance of steel bollard increased as thickness grew. So steel bollard should must be thicker than 10T. And the concrete compressive strength effected insignificantly on the defence efficiency, so more than 24MPa compressive concrete be used. Performance of stainless bollard increased as thickness grew. So stainless bollard should must be thicker than 13T.