Browsing by Author "Duarte, P."
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- Crankshaft failure analysis of a boxer diesel motorPublication . Fonte, M.; Anes, V.; Duarte, P.; Reis, L.; Freitas, M.This paper reports a failure mode analysis of a boxer diesel engine crankshaft. Crankshafts are components which experiment severe and complex dynamic loadings due to rotating bending combined with torsion on main journals and alternating bending on crankpins. High level stresses appear on critical areas like web fillets, as well as the effect of centrifugal forces and vibrations. Since the fatigue fracture near the crankpin-web fillet regions is one of the primary failure mechanisms of automotive crankshafts, designers and researchers have done the best for improving its fatigue strength. The present failure has occurred at approximately 2000 manufactured engines, and after about 95,000 km in service. The aim of this work is to investigate the damage root cause and understand the mechanism which led to the catastrophic failure. Recommendations for improving the engine design are also presented.
- Failure mode analysis of two crankshafts of a diesel single cylinder enginePublication . Fonte, M.; Duarte, P.; Reis, L.; Freitas, M.; Infante, V.This paper reports an investigation carried out on two damaged crankshafts of single cylinder diesel engines used in agricultural services for several purposes. Recurrent damages of these crankshafts type have happened after approximately 100 h in service. The root cause never was imputed to the manufacturer. The fatigue design and an accurate prediction of fatigue life are of primordial importance to insure the safety of these components and its reliability. This study firstly presents a short review on fatigue power shafts for supporting the failure mode analysis, which can lead to determine the root cause of failure. The material of these damaged crankshafts has the same chemical composition to others found where the same type of fracture occurred at least ten years ago. A finite element analysis was also carried out in order to find the critical zones where high stress concentrations are present. Results showed a clear failure by fatigue under low stress and high cyclic fatigue on crankpins.
- On the assessment of fatigue life of marine diesel engine crankshaftsPublication . Fonte, M.; Duarte, P.; Anes, V.; Freitas, M.; Reis, L.The fatigue strength and its correct assessment play an important role in design and maintenance of marine crankshafts to obtain operational safety and reliability. Crankshafts are under alternating bending on crankpins and rotating bending combined with torsion on main journals, which mostly are responsible for fatigue failure. The commercial management success substantially depends on the main engine in service and of its design crankshaft, in particular. The crankshaft design strictly follows the rules of classification societies. The present study provides an overview on the assessment of fatigue life of marine engine crankshafts and its maintenance taking into account the design improving in the last decades, considering that accurate estimation of fatigue life is very important to ensure safety of components and its reliability. An example of a semi-built crankshaft failure is also presented and the probable root case of damage, and at the end some final remarks are presented.
- Welding assessment of a damaged crane pedestal of a container shipPublication . Fonte, M.; Freitas, M.M.; Li, B.; Duarte, P.; Reis, L.A structural integrity assessment of a damaged crane pedestal/column of a container ship is presented. Crane cabins and pedestal/columns are subjected to fatigue coupled with sudden overloads during cargo operations and corrosion effects due to sea environment. Significant number of surface cracks was detected around the pedestal/column, at inner and outside of the crane foundation, close to the main weld seam and, in consequence, the ship-owner ordered a survey. The main weld seam and the sites where cracks were found are evaluated in the present study. For the purpose, the sample material (hot rolled steel plate and upper ring) of the pedestal was provided by the shipyard and macro and micrographics were observed. Results did not show any cracks, although they have been found by the NDT technical services of the shipyard which have decided to remove them by the grinding process. The weld seam did not also show relevant defects, whereby the replacing of the pedestal/column by a new one would not had been necessary. Regardless of some occasional overloads, the surface cracks found on the pedestal/column could be a consequence of the normal operation conditions of the crane during the last 5 years and also due to poor maintenance.