Finite element analysis on nut post structure of Three Gorges Project ship lift

Abstract

A nonlinear finite element model of the nut post reinforced concrete (RC) structure of the safety mechanism in the Three Gorges Project (TGP) ship lift was built by ANSYS software. Some irregular structures such as the nut post and the rotary rod were divided by curved surface into a series of regular parts, and the structures were all meshed to hexahedron. Constraint equations were defined between two interfaces with different element sizes and mesh patterns. PRETS179 elements were used to simulate the preload in the tendons and the pre-stressed screws, and the loss of pre-stressing force was calculated. Five extreme load cases were analyzed. The stress of each part in the structure was obtained. The results indicate that the maximum compressive stress of concrete C35 is 24.13 MPa, so the concrete may be partially crushed; the maximum tensile stress of the grouting motar is 6.73 MPa, so the grouting motar may partially fracture; the maximum von Mises stress of the rotary rod is 648.70 MPa, therefore the rotary rod may partially yield.