Thermal stress fracture of refractory lining components: Part I. Thermoelastic analysis

Abstract

This paper presents a mathematical model and corresponding stress analysis suitable for the development of theoretical criteria useful for the design and selection of refractory components of linings of high-temperature furnaces and metallurgical process vessels. Refractory lining components, for which the maximum principal tensile stress fracture criterion is assumed valid, are simulated using a two-dimensional constant heating rate thermoelastic model. Dimensional analysis and the finite element numerical method are utilized to develop a general solution for the maximum principal tensile stress in a rectangular shape of arbitrary length and width in terms of thermal and mechanical properties and heating and cooling rate. Implications of the general stress solution with regard to fracture behavior and design recommendations are discussed with reference to results previously reported in the literature.