Failure of a Bucket-Wheel Stacker Reclaimer: Metallographic and Structural Analyses
-
Published:2019
Abstract
The structural collapse of an iron-ore bucket-wheel stacker reclaimer at the beginning of operation was investigated by means of mechanical tests, microstructural characterization, and computational structural analysis. The mechanical failure was a consequence of a brittle fracture by cleavage. The crack followed the heat-affected zone of a welded joint connecting a rectangular hollow section member and a plate flange. The main factors contributing to failure were related with a combination of design-in and manufacturing-in factors like high load-strength ratio at the point of failure, local stress concentration as a result of geometry restrictions, and weld defects. This particular section was responsible for the load transfer between the front tie member and the boom extremity, and its failure was the main cause of the catastrophic failure of the equipment.
L.S. Araujo, L.H. de Almeida, E.M. Batista, A. Landesmann, Failure of a Bucket-Wheel Stacker Reclaimer: Metallographic and Structural Analyses, Handbook of Case Histories in Failure Analysis, Vol 3, Edited By Larry Berardinis, ASM International, 2019, p 177–182, https://doi.org/10.31399/asm.fach.v03.c9001777
Download citation file:
Sept. 30 – Oct. 4 | Cleveland, Ohio
Keep up to date with the latest materials and processing technologies. Register today for IMAT 2024 & IFHTSE World Congress!