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A36 Steel Structure at Elevated Temperatures

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shingles

Mechanical
Apr 12, 2022
5
Hello, I have a question regarding an A36 steel structure (I beams) we are about to release to be fabricated. The structure will be supporting burners that will have a maximum temperature of 230deg F for durations up to 120hrs at a time. From everything I have found, it is suggested to not use A36 steel for high temperature applications but this is never defined. Are there any tables or studies that will help with determining if we should explore a different material to build the structure out of?
 
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230F is not that high. The attached paper is for connections but the first part has a several tables for various materials at elevated temperatures.

I would be more concerned about thermal growth and making sure the thermal growth is not restrained in such a way as to overload the structure. Most analysis programs will handle elevated temperature but the hard part will be figuring out what temperature to use. A drawing of what you have would be helpful to provide more advice.
 
 https://files.engineering.com/getfile.aspx?folder=d27c06c2-bea8-4f76-94d9-b5aa128229c3&file=Steel_at_Elevated_temp.pdf
Here is an image of the mount that was designed. It will support 3 burners and 2 reflection panels. Guarding will be surrounding the structure but heat will be able to vent through the top and through the exhaust ducts attached to 2 of the burners. Thank you for the attached document and information. At this temperature, is creep a factor that should be considered? Also, what other material may be suited for this application?

Structure_ppnmah.png
 
I added a few comments.

I don't know how big this is or what kind of loads you have from burner weights and tension on the material going through it. I am assuming these things are fairly small. Like something less than 10' tall and 5' wide or so.

I am not sure about a creep factor. Looking at it I would guess stresses are low but again I am not sure about the size or weights you have here.

I noted in the attachment but one thing to consider is getting rid of the cantilevers and extend the support beam to each side.

I assume you are in the US since you noted A36 material. You are not going to find a true A36 I beam. They will mostly be A992 (50 ksi)

 
 https://files.engineering.com/getfile.aspx?folder=f84ef899-bf02-448b-a806-8a381f68ece5&file=Burner_Comments.pdf
Check out the ASME BPVC (Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code). There are tables in there that define Fy and Fu at different temperature intervals.

At 300 degrees F your Fy is 31.8 ksi and your Fu is 58 ksi per Tables Y-1 and U.
 
Your 230°F is very low.  Barely warmer than boiling water.

ASME Section II Part D doesn't list creep effects until 700°F for A36. Most CS materials don't experience creep until this temp range, so A992 would be the same.
 
The structure is approximately 10ft tall and 6.75ft wide. The burners are 6ft wide and the can reach temperatures up to 320°F (the material going between the burners comes out at 230°F). The A36 will not be directly in front of the burners.

Ideem, you have a point. I will add some gusset plates to the cantilever beams to reduce the stress in the welded locations(supports). (And I am in the US)

The beams are well below the 31.8ksi yield strength.

If A36 doesn't experience creep until 700°F, does that mean that temperature is negligible regarding the amount of deflection and stress the beams will have?
 
Again looking at ASME Section II Part D, the modulus of elasticity E for A36 goes from 29.4e6 psi at 70°F to 28.3e6 psi at 300°F. Thus only a slight change in deflections.
 
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