Abstract
Lock gates are an important part of the transportation infrastructure within the United States (US). Unfortunately, many existing lock gates have reached or exceeded their initial design lives and require frequent repairs to remain in service. Unscheduled repairs often increase as gates age, having a local economic impact on freight transport, which can create economic ripples throughout the nation. Metal fatigue is a key cause of unscheduled service interruptions, degrading lock gate components over time. Additionally, because lock gates are submerged during operation, crack detection prior to component failure can be difficult, and repair costs can be high. This paper presents an analytical and experimental investigation into fatigue damage within common lock gate geometries, as well as fatigue mitigation strategies with a focus on extending gate service lives. Detailed finite element analyses are combined with fatigue and fracture mechanics theories to predict critical fatigue regions within common gate details and develop retrofit strategies for mitigating fatigue cracking. Full-scale experimental fatigue testing of a critical lock gate component is conducted to provide a baseline for the evaluation of retrofit strategies. Retrofit strategies and issues in using carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) plates having optimized pre-stress levels are discussed.
Highlights
Locks are essential for waterway transport along many river and canal systems, allowing for the passage of ships through regions of differing water elevation
Several studies have showed the advantages of using carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) to increase flexural performance by reinforcing the tensile components and extending fatigue life, reducing the stress range, or shifting the mean stress [12,13,14,15,16,17]
This paper presents an analytical and experimental investigation into fatigue damage within common lock gate geometries, as well as fatigue mitigation strategies capable of extending gate service life
Summary
Locks are essential for waterway transport along many river and canal systems, allowing for the passage of ships through regions of differing water elevation. Two sets of gates open and close in sequence as the ship transitions to a higher water elevation. As lock gates reach their design lives, costly repairs are often needed to maintain waterway access. (b) The lower gate closes and the water level changes. (c) The upper gate opens, allowing the vessel access to the higher water elevation. Allowing the vessel access to the higher water elevation. River system, completed date, and date repair. River system, completed date, and date ofof repair
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