Modeling and In-Plant Evaluation of Thermal Stresses in Steelmaking Ladles

GALLIANO PABLO; MARTORELLO LEANDRO; MUSANTE LEONARDO; SIMARO TOMÁS; ROSSI MIGUEL; ERNST HUGO; JOHNSON DANIEL

Advances in Science and Technology

Trans Tech Publications

Año: 2014 vol. 92 p. 310 - 318

A thermo-mechanical finite element model was developed by using FEA commercial software, in order to estimate thermal stress levels in a refractory lined steelmaking ladle shell during its first preheating stage. The model considers two refractory linings: an inner working lining and a permanent one besides the external ladle shell. In this way, stresses on both refractory lining andmetallic shell due to restricted lining thermal expansion were simulated. Stress-strain curves of refractory lining materials at different temperatures were obtained through lab tests and then used for model optimization. Additionally, creep behavior in the steel shell under different tensilestresses and temperatures was also estimated taking into account previously obtained results from laboratory tests. In plant strain and temperature measurements were done by instrumenting the lower part of the ladle sidewall shell with high temperature strain gauges and thermocouples. Predicted stress evolution showed good agreement with results obtained from in plant measurements.