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Numerical Analysis of Cracked Aluminum and Steel Connection by ANSYS

Lamichhane, Udit
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1544738026833242

Abstract Details

2018, Master of Science, University of Toledo, Civil Engineering.
This thesis analytically investigates the amount of damage the connections of an aluminum overhead sign support truss can sustain without truss failure. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is responsible for developing and maintaining all state and federal roadways in Ohio. One of the responsibility includes a support structure such as overhead sign support (OSS) along with bridge mounted support, signal support (SS) and high mast lighting supports (HMLS). ODOT maintains over 6,000 SS. When the workers were trying to change the overhead sign mounted on an aluminum truss on an Ohio highway, they found severe cracking in the aluminum flanges in the connection between two sections of the truss. There was significant corrosion with an accumulation white powder like material on aluminum flange and steel bolts. Past research by a team at the University of Toledo inspected flanges and powderlike materials on this sign support. Various methods: EDS (Energy Dispersive XRay Spectroscopy), FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), XRD (X-Ray Power Diffraction), SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope), were implemented. This investigation led to the conclusion that this was a case of galvanic corrosion. This failure brought this issue the issue of galvanic corrosion between stainless steel bolts and aluminum flanges to the to the limelight. The inspection of these support structure is critical. Presently, the ODOT proiii vides the guidance for the examination of OSS, which is generally specific to the particular state. The study includes the visual inspection of the structure which is conducted from the ground and sounding the anchor bolt with the hammer as a part of the routine check. In this thesis, analyses of the hexagonal aluminum flanges damaged by corrosion was carried out to determine if the damaged connections can carry the design loads. These OSSs are designed to withstand specific loads or the combination of loads The loads used in this analysis came from a previous overall study of the truss. The finite element package ANSYS Workbench (Version 18.2) was used to model connections with simulated damage. The most critical section is the connection between two aluminum flanges and six stainless steel bolts was modeled using drafting tool embedded within ANSYS Workbench called the SpaceClaim. The big picture is to make the model of the most critical section: the connection between the two aluminum flanges in the hexagonal joint style by using the six steel bolts and the application of most critical load. The author created three different models: the intact model without any defect, one with the corner around one bolt completely corroded away and another with two consecutive corners corroded away. The author applied the same critical load to all three models. The model with two corners off came out to most critical one. The author came to this conclusion from the comparison of maximum stress in the model to von Mises yield criterion.
Douglas Nims (Committee Chair)
Mohamed Samir Hefzy (Committee Member)
Luis A. Mata (Committee Member)
54 p.
Civil Engineering
Galvanic Corrosion, ANSYS, von Mises Stress

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Lamichhane, U. (2018). Numerical Analysis of Cracked Aluminum and Steel Connection by ANSYS [Master's thesis, University of Toledo]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1544738026833242

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Lamichhane, Udit. Numerical Analysis of Cracked Aluminum and Steel Connection by ANSYS. 2018. University of Toledo, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1544738026833242.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Lamichhane, Udit. "Numerical Analysis of Cracked Aluminum and Steel Connection by ANSYS." Master's thesis, University of Toledo, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1544738026833242

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by University of Toledo and OhioLINK.