Distress Evaluation and Rehabilitation of Damaged RC-Framed Coal-Storage-Yard Structure in Thermal Power Plant

摘要

In thermal power plants, coal-storage-yard structures play a major role in the production of power. Coal storage capacity is limited by the design level. If the design limit is exceeded, the reinforced concrete (RC) coal storage structure may undergo deterioration with varied cracking patterns and ultimately collapse. Through quick, early observations, engineers, construction managers, and others may be able to avoid major structural disaster and the associated risk to human life. Structural problems could cause the entire plant to shut down, and the down time may cost more than additional coal storage; thus, repair and rehabilitation has to be approached with cost-effectiveness in mind. The cause of the distress and failure mechanism of the actual damaged RC frame structure are evaluated and analyzed in this paper. The analyses are carried out using finite-element analysis with real life loading and other conditions, and based on the analysis, relatively economical rehabilitation strategies using structural steel members are proposed. During this process, it is suggested that the existing distressed and failed RC members be replaced with the proposed structural steel members under the supervision of the presiding engineer.