Evaluation of bearing capacity of a beam on an elastic foundation using the methods of the theory of limiting balance

The analytical expressions and graphs for determining a limiting load have been obtained using the methods of the theory of limiting balance. The processes of strain of the beams after formation of a plastic hinge until their complete destruction have been investigated. The dependences of a bearing capacity of the beam on its parameters and characteristics of the foundation soils have been obtained. The regularities of formation of plastic hinges have been revealed depending on a place of application of the load. The limiting values of the load have been calculated analytically, and the forms of deformation of the beam have been established at the time of the appearance of the first plastic strains and in the limiting state. The comparative analysis of the research results of the adopted model with the numerical studies of the elastoplastic beam has been carried out.

Study on the Spacer Grid Dynamic Crush Strength According to Cell Sizes

A spacer grid is one of the primary components of the PWR nuclear fuel. Spacer grid maintains proper pitches between the fuel rods and enables the fuel rod to cool down by providing coolant flow path. However, when the nuclear fuel is subjected to an unexpected excessive load during shipping, handling, manufacturing and operating, it could lead to fuel failure such as spacer grid buckling and cladding tube deformation. The most limiting load acting on the spacer grid is the lateral impact load during seismic/loss-of-coolant accidents. Dynamic crush strength of the spacer grid greatly contributes to the nuclear fuel integrity throughout the fuel lifetime [1]. This buckling strength tends to become weak in end of life (EOL) condition. KEPCO NF (KNF) carried out dynamic crush tests of the spacer grid and analyzed its characteristics. Spacer grids were prepared with three groups that have different cell sizes according to beginning of life (BOL), EOL and enlarged EOL simulated conditions. In addition, two kinds of dynamic crush tests were performed. One is pendulum impact test that drops a hammer to the grid in a short time. And the other is hydraulic long-pulse test that pushes impact plate to the grid in longer time. These tests and analysis results were compared in each group and discussed to explore key factors for improving crush strength of the spacer grid. In this paper, the spacer grid manufactured by additive manufacturing (AM) technology [2] is also introduced to verify the buckling performance. AM is a method to make designed shape with metal powder and built-up technology that is different from conventional manufacturing. Through the study, it could be a good alterative solution that the new manufacturing method might be helpful to improve dynamic impact characteristics.

Load Capacity of Eccentric Roller Bearings

Eccentric roller bearings are commonly used in engineering and serve as actuating links in mechanical drives of various machines. Load capacity is one of the main parameters of such bearings. This paper presents possible kinematic schemes of an eccentric roller bearing and the specifics of the actual radial load distribution when it is applied to the driving ring between the rolling bodies. It is established that the load capacity of the eccentric roller bearing depends on the actual stress occurring when the rolling body of the minimal radius and the inner ring raceway are in contact. Equations are obtained for calculating the permissible radial load that the rolling body of the minimal radius with a raceway can bear. The limiting load is determined that satisfies the conditions of contact strength of the bearing’s assembly units and ensures performance of the bearing in a mechanical drive of a machine. The results of determining the limiting load of the eccentric roller bearing and the results’ analysis are presented using a specific example. To ensure the performance of the bearing, the optimal ratio of the inner ring radius to the minimum rolling body radius is determined.

The influences of bump foil structure parameters on the static and dynamic characteristics of bump-type gas foil bearings

Bump-type gas foil bearing is a special type of sliding bearing, especially suitable for supporting rotors with light loads and high speeds. In this paper, a deformation model of bump foil is established by using elastic mechanics theory. A fluid-structure interaction algorithm is proposed according to Reynolds equation of compressible gas. On this basis, a method for calculating the static and dynamic characteristics of the bump-type gas foil bearing is established considering the structure parameters of the bump foil. The presented model is validated using the data reported in the existing research. The gas film pressure distribution, gas film thickness distribution of the bearing, and the influences of bump foil structure parameters on the static and dynamic characteristics of the bearing are studied with an example. Results show that, decreasing the bump foil thickness tB or increasing the bump pitch s will increase the limiting load-carrying capacity W and decrease the attitude angle β. And increasing tB or decreasing s will decrease the friction torque Tr and increase the side leakage flow of gas Qz, resulting in less friction heat generation and faster heat dissipation. Increasing tB or decreasing s will increase the absolute values of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] of the gas film, leading to higher equivalent stiffness of the gas film [Formula: see text].

THE ELASTOPLASTIC CALCULATION OF FRAMES USING THE DISPLACEMENT METHOD

We proposed a method for calculating statical indeterminacy frames taking into account plastic defor­mations, which is based on the use of a schematized diagram of material with hardening. Two types of standard beams with supports are used during the implementation of the displacement method (DM) and the elastic solu­tion of the problem: “fixed” - “pinned” and “fixed” - “fixed”, but unlike the elastic solution, standard beams con­tain plastic zones (PZs). So as the stresses in these zones did not exceed the limit of yielding in the nonlinear frame calculation, we took measures to transform the PZs into equal strength plastic zones (ESPZ). The calcula­tions were made for both types of beams for all single and load impacts. The frame calculation consists of two stages (elastic and plastic). At the elastic stage, we determine an elastic moment diagram and the corresponding load. For a practical use of the DM in a nonlinear frame calculation, we introduced a simplifying prerequisite sup­plementing the well-known hypotheses of the classical version of the method, and formulated a Statement of the limiting load. According to the Statement, each length of the PZ can correspond to the lower boundary of the lim­iting load. The plastic stage of the calculation is performed at a given length of the PZ using the method of se­quential loadings. At each loading stage, incremental equations are written using the DM equations, which estab­lish relations between incremental moments and the incremental load, that allows you to get the resulting moment diagram. This diagram represents a sum of the elastic diagram and the diagrams of incremental moments at all previous loading stages. According to the resulting diagram, we calculate the length of the PZ, together with the limiting load. The calculation is considered complete if the length of the PZ does not exceed the specified value within the margin of error.