Structural Strength Analysis of High-Head Curved Steel Gates

Abstract

This paper systematically investigates the structural strength of a high-head submerged arc steel gate at a hydropower station, addressing complex loading issues such as immense hydraulic pressure, flow impact, and cavitation encountered in high-head environments. The study combines theoretical calculations with finite element analysis methods. Based on the thin-walled deep-beam lateral force bending theory, a stress calculation model for the main beam was established, accounting for the bending-shear coupling effect. An analytical solution for the stress distribution in a uniaxially symmetric I-shaped cross-section under uniformly distributed load was derived. Simultaneously, a three-dimensional gate model was created using SolidWorks, meshed with HyperMesh, and subjected to static finite element analysis in ANSYS under closed-gate conditions. This yielded stress and deformation distributions for the gate as a whole and its individual components. Results indicate the maximum equivalent stress of 272.03 MPa occurs at the support arm connection, remaining below the yield strength of Q345 steel. The discrepancy between the theoretical and finite element solutions for the main beam's maximum stress is within 4.1%, validating the model's reliability. This research provides theoretical foundations and numerical references for structural design and safety assessment of high-head curved gates.