Browsing by Keyword "Life extension"
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Item Fatigue Strengthening of Steel Bridges with Adhesively Bonded CFRP Laminates: Case Study(2020-06-01) Chataigner, S.; Wahbeh, M.; Garcia-Sanchez, D.; Benzarti, K.; Birtel, V.; Fischer, M.; Sopeña, L.; Boundouki, R.; Lehmann, F.; Martín, E.; Gemignani, G.; Zalbide, M.; E&I SEGURAS Y RESILIENTESOne of the aims of applying sustainable development to bridge infrastructure was to provide bridge owners with strengthening solutions that could lead to increased service life for existing structures. In the case of steel bridges, the assessment of the remaining service life is most often linked to the determination of structural deterioration caused by corrosion and fatigue. Damage caused by fatigue is very difficult to assess before crack initiation and is more likely to occur in older structures, where the phenomenon was not taken into account in designs before 1970. In addition, old steel materials display more brittle behavior. To meet these challenges, a preventive methodology for fatigue strengthening of steel structures was developed. The method begins with scheduling a fatigue design analysis of the existing construction to determine the most fatigue damage exposed construction elements of the bridge. The remaining fatigue life of these elements can be increased with a strengthening solution based on the use of adhesively bonded ultra-high modulus (UHM) carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) plates, which were applied to a steel surface before failure indicators such as cracks arise. This article presents the development process of this preventive method and a demonstrative application to an existing bridge (Jarama Bridge). Strain measurement was carried out to verify the theoretical expectations of the reinforcement. Different parameters were studied, including the influence of low traffic volumes during the reinforcement application. The results proved the efficiency of this system for the structure under study.Item Predictive maintenance of wind turbine low-speed shafts based on an autonomous ultrasonic system(2019-09) Galarza-Urigoitia, Nekane; Rubio-García, Benjamín; Gascón-Álvarez, Jaime; Aznar-Lapuente, Gabriel; Olite-Biurrun, Jorge; López-Germán, Alberto; Rubio-Botía, Jokin; Tecnalia Research & Innovation; SMART_MON; Comportamiento y Fiabilidad; INDUSTRY_THINGSLow-speed shafts breakage in wind turbines (WT) supposes, besides an elevated repair cost, an unattainable risk for workers integrity due to the induced rotor fall. Based on a Root Cause Analysis (RCA) an autonomous ultrasonic monitoring system has been developed with the aim of extending the shaft useful life safely beyond the 50% obtained when manual ultrasonic inspections are used. This system consists of ad-hoc electronics, a specific firmware that includes the detection and assessment algorithm, and an annular array of transducers attached to the shaft by a specific mechanical holder. To estimate the transducers type, quantity and optimum location and to establish references, healthy shafts were analyzed and tests specimens with artificial defects were manufactured and studied reproducing the critical crack sizes estimated in the RCA. The firmware controls the entire system and is the responsible for autonomous diagnostics that launches preliminary alerts when detecting non-critical cracks. The system creates an “imminent failure” alert when the shaft has consumed up to 96% of its useful life. The system has been tested in real WTs with positive results, omitting no-relevant cracks and even detecting certain type of cracks not detected by manual inspections.