Fatigue Crack Control in Waterway Lock Gate Pintle Locations Subjected to Multi-Modal Fracture

The proposed research project will address multi-mode fatigue cracking within critical lock gate pintle locations. The lock gate pintle is a ball-and-socket joint that is crucial for proper gate operation, but is subject to frequent fatigue cracking. Fatigue crack repair within pintle locations is particularly challenging due to the complex multi-axial loading conditions (combined axial and torsional loads) that occur during gate opening and closing. The project proposed herein will analytically investigate multi-axial stress demands within common pintle geometries during operation, and develop bonded fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) retrofits capable of controlling multi-mode fractures (fractures that originate from both tensile and shear stresses). The project contains two integrated research components: 1) a detailed analytical crack investigation to develop FRP retrofit strategies; and 2) a multi-axial experimental fatigue investigation exploring FRP retrofit effects on multi-mode fatigue fractures. Outcomes of the proposed project include an implementable pintle fatigue retrofit strategy for US Army Corps of Engineers stakeholders, ultimately improving waterway infrastructure reliability. Additionally, novel multi-mode fatigue data for composite materials will be generated and advanced research training will be provided for an engineering graduate student (providing knowledge transfer to industry upon completion).

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $176347
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3551747130

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Department of Transportation

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Maritime Transportation Research and Education Center

  University of Arkansas
  Fayetteville, AR  United States  72701
• Performing Organizations:

  University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

  4190 Bell Engineering
  Civil Engineering
  Fayetteville, Arkansas  United States  72701
• Principal Investigators:

  Prinz, Gary S

• Start Date: 20180813
• Expected Completion Date: 20210228
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Composite materials; Fatigue cracking; Fiber reinforced polymers; Lock gates; Locks (Waterways); Retrofitting
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Maintenance and Preservation; Marine Transportation; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01681646
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Maritime Transportation Research and Education Center
• Contract Numbers: 69A3551747130
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Sep 22 2018 3:59PM