MME 321 Crystal Defects, Deformation and Fracture

CERMET
1911019
1911022
Catastrophic Failure: An Insight into Causes and 1911046
Prevention Strategies
Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering
Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka

v HISTORY OF FOLSOM DAM LIBERTY SHIP FAILURE:

GUADALAJARA EXPLOSION 1992 COLLAPSE BIRTH OF FRACTURE
MECHANICS
 More than 200 Liberty ships sank or
On Wednesday, April 22, 1992, a series were damaged beyond repair.
of explosions from the Salamanca-  “Schenectady” (as named) was one of
Guadalajara pipeline in the Álamo those ships which broke into 2 pieces
Industrial neighbourhood rumbled with a loud sound
beneath the city, levelling structures
and ripping open streets.

Design
Flaw
Rectified Made in
Warning 1994
Issued FOLSOM California
DAM
Loss of COLLAPSE
stored Source of
Failure Analysis: Power
power 1995 Gate
No.3
 Galvanic corrosion collapsed
between steel gasoline
pipeline and galvanized
Why it happened…
iron water pipeline.
Corrosion Increase in
 Because of variations in in trunnion
concentration and pressure, gasoline Friction
pin
found its way out and was diffused
into the sewage systems.
Failure of Gate
Lock in
brace struts pivoting
connection bent

 The sewage pipelines were built in a

U-shape to suit the newly
constructed suburban metro, and an
inverted syphon was designed to
drive fluids away against gravity.
The design allowed fluids to pass
through but also blocked the gas
fumes
Measures should have been taken What could have been done?
•Use riveted joint instead of welding
• Using Corrosion resistant trunnion pin joint
1.
•By reducing sulphur and phosphorus
• Using lubricant and maintenance content.
2.
Preventive Measures •Improving welding and establishing
• Using strong strut for radial gate welding codes.
3. •Installing crack-arresting devices
 Proper inspection and maintenance.
 A haphazard network of cables and
pipes transporting fuel and water
should be avoided.
 Use a gasket or flexible material to
insulate different metals to prevent
contact between them.

Coursework submitted to Dr. Mamun Al Rashed Level 3 Term 1