Thermo-mechanical response FEM simulation of ceramic refractories undergoing severe temperature variations

TL;DR

This paper presents a finite element simulation method for analyzing the thermo-mechanical response of ceramic refractories under severe thermal shocks, incorporating temperature-dependent properties and radiation heat exchange.

Contribution

It introduces a nonlinear FEM approach that accounts for temperature-dependent material properties and radiation effects, improving thermal stress predictions in refractory ceramics.

Findings

Significant deviations from linear theory predictions were observed.

The developed MATLAB code accurately simulates thermal shock cycles.

Material properties of Al2O3 were used for validation.

Abstract

The development of thermal stresses inside refractory ceramics experiencing severe thermal shock is studied. The present analysis departs from the linear theory of thermal stresses as it accounts for temperature dependent thermal and mechanical material properties. Radiation surface heat exchange between the refractory component and its surroundings is included. A Finite Element Procedure is presented and a MATLAB code is developed. The nonlinear heat equation is solved for the temperature field and this solution is subsequently used in order to determine the stress field evolution. The finite element code is validated and used for the thermal shock estimation of a refractory brick. Material properties corresponding to Al 2O3 are selected. A thermal cycle consisting of a heating stage followed by cooling down is simulated. The results are compared with those predicted by the linear thermal stresses theory and significant deviations are observed for the examined values of the Biot number.