Sluice Gate Curved Webs Reducing Transverse Welds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sluice gates require numerous welds, which weaken the structure under fatigue conditions and are not adequately resistant to bending and mechanical stresses, particularly due to the poor resistance of transverse welds to varying liquid pressures.
Innovation Solution
A sluice gate design with fewer transverse welds, featuring thin, parallel webs with curved edges, integral side uprights, tubular stiffeners, and recesses that distribute stress, enhancing bending resistance and fatigue durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional lock gates use numerous welds to connect horizontal webs, vertical stiffeners, and secondary horizontal stiffeners to the plating, then the structure can withstand mechanical stresses, but the fatigue resistance deteriorates due to weld intersections weakening the structure
Solution Approach 1:
The gate structure is divided into modular components: plating panels, horizontal webs with curved edges, and vertical stiffeners. Each component is optimized independently and assembled with minimal weld intersections, reducing stress concentration points while maintaining structural integrity under cyclic loading
Solution Approach 2:
The horizontal webs feature curved edges instead of straight edges, creating a smooth transition that distributes stress more evenly along the web-plating junction. This curvature eliminates sharp corners where stress would concentrate, thereby improving fatigue resistance while maintaining the ability to withstand mechanical stresses
2Stability of the object's composition
If transverse welds are used to connect vertical stiffeners to the plating, then vertical rigidity is improved, but the resistance to varying liquid pressures deteriorates due to poor performance under stress variations above and below the free surface
Solution Approach 1:
The curved edges of the horizontal webs create a streamlined shape that better resists varying liquid pressures. The curvature allows the structure to flex slightly under pressure variations above and below the free surface, preventing stress concentration at rigid weld intersections while maintaining vertical rigidity through the overall arch-like configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The weld configuration is changed from a grid pattern with numerous intersections to a simplified arrangement with fewer welds. The welds are positioned to follow the curved geometry of the webs, changing the stress distribution parameters and improving resistance to varying liquid pressures while sufficient vertical rigidity is maintained through the curved structural form
Data Source
AI summary
The gate has thin cores (2) each comprising a parabolic curve edge (B2) in a plane transversal to a flat shell skin plate (1). The core is widened towards its center and shrunk towards its ends. The core is pierced with disjointed recesses (20) that are configured for forming bands and bridges. The bands are respectively extended along the plate and the edge. The bridges connect the bands and extend between the adjacent recesses. A tubular stiffener (4) extends across the recesses of the cores.