A computational model for inelastic behaviour and fracture of refractory industrial components under high-temperature conditions, application to slide gate plates

TL;DR

This paper introduces a computational model that simulates the inelastic and fracture behaviour of refractory components under high temperatures, focusing on asymmetric tension-compression responses and fracture evolution.

Contribution

It develops a novel continuum-mechanics based model integrated with phase-field fracture for refractory materials, implemented in FEniCS, to predict failure in industrial components.

Findings

Model captures asymmetric tension-compression behaviour.

Successfully predicts fracture in refractory slide gate plates.

Implemented in open-source FEniCS platform.

Abstract

This work aims to provide a computational model that can describe the complex behaviour of refractory industrial components under working conditions. Special attention is given to the asymmetric tension-compression behaviour and its evolution in the full range of working temperatures. The model accounts for inelastic flow in compression and brittle fracture behaviour in tension by leveraging the continuum-mechanics theory of plasticity and phase-field fracture damage. The model is implemented in the Finite Element open-source platform FEniCS and is used to analyze the fracture phenomenon in the refractory plate used in ladle slide gate systems to control the liquid steel flow from the ladle to the tundish.