Thermo-elasto-visco-plastic finite element analysis on formation and propagation of off-corner subsurface cracks in bloom continuous casting

The formation and propagation of the popular off-corner subsurface cracks in bloom continuous casting were investigated through thermo-mechanical analysis using three coupled thermo-mechanical models. A two-dimensional thermo-elasto-visco-plastic finite element model was developed to predict the mould gap evolution, temperature profiles and deformation behavior of the solidified shell in the mould region. Then, a three-dimensional model was adopted to calculate the shell growth, tempera- ture history and the development of stresses and strains of the shell in the following secondary cooling zones. Finally, another three-dimensional model was used to analyze the stress distributions in the straightening region, The results showed that the off-corner cracks in the shell originated from the mould owing to the tensile strain developed in the crack sensitive regions of the solidification front, and they could be driven deeper by the possible severe surface temperature rebound and the extensive tensile stress in the secondary cooling zone, especially upon the straightening operation of the bloom casting. It is revealed that more homogenous shell temperature and thickness can be obtained through optimization of mould corner radius, casting speed and secondary cooling scheme, which help to decrease stress and strain concentration and therefore prevent the initiation of the cracks.

Experimental studies on rock failure mechanisms under impact load by single polycrystalline diamond compact cutter

Percussive drilling shows excellent potential for promoting the rate of penetration(ROP)in drilling hard formations.Polycrystalline diamond compact(PDC)bits account for most of the footage drilled in the oil and gas fields.To reveal the rock failure mechanisms under the impact load by PDC bits,a series of drop tests with a single PDC cutter were conducted to four kinds of rocks at different back rake angles,drop heights,drop mass,and drop times.Then the morphology characteristics of the craters were obtained and quantified by using a three-dimensional profilometer.The fracture micrographs can be observed by using scanning electron microscope(SEM).The distribution and propagation process of subsurface cracks were captured in rock-like silica glass by a high-speed photography system.The results can indicate that percussive drilling has a higher efficiency and ROP when the rock fractures in brittle mode.The failure mode of rock is related with the type of rock,the impact speed,and the back rake angle of the cutter.Both the penetration depth and fragmentation volume get the maximum values at a back rake angle of about 45°.Increasing the weight and speed of falling hammer is beneficial to improving the rock breaking effects and efficiency.The subsurface cracks under the impact load by a single PDC cutter is shaped like a clamshell,and its size is much larger than the crater volume.These findings can help to shed light on the rock failure mechanisms under the impact of load by a single PDC cutter and provide a theoretical explanation for better field application of percussive drilling.

Subsurface crack propagation under rolling contact fatigue in bearing ring

The influences of subsurface cracks,distributing along the axial direction,on the rolling contact fatigue(RCF)faliure in a bearing ring are investigated.A realistic three-dimensional model of the bearing ring containing three subsurface cracks is used to evaluate the fatigue crack propagation based on stress intensity factor(SIF)calculations.Moreover,the distributions of the subsurface cracks along the axial direction are varied to study their effects on RCF.The results provide valuable guidelines for enhanced understanding of RCF in bearings.