Merging nano and macro structure design: opportunities for the structural integrity of steel infrastructure

Merging the macro-level design with the nano-level design in structural engineering, hence, using the superior properties of nanostructured metallic multilayers for protecting fatigue-critical joints of the macrostructure and ensuring the structural integrity of the steel infrastructure are the objectves of a research effort at TU Hamburg. Nanostructured metallic multilayers (NMM) have significantly higher strength, fatigue resistance and ductility than monolithic homogeneous metal cross sections. The superior structural properties of these nanostructured cross sections are known, and so it is surprising why no attempt has been made to date to use nanostructured cross sections in macro cross sections in structural engineering to improve the cross section properties. This paper links the advantages of nanostructured multilayers with the needs of homogeneous metallic macro-cross sections and examines the question to which extent the high-performance material nanolaminate can compensate for the structural weak parts of metallic infrastructure. The welded joint subjected to fatigue is addressed as vulnerable part of metallic infrastructure. The article provides insights on how nanostructured multilayer can potentially contribute to the future of steel construction, further, how nanostructured multilayer can potentially affect fatigue design. The design as well as the maintenance of cyclically loaded metallic infrastructures, such as bridges and offshore wind turbines, are discussed herein and it is shown how sustainability, resource conservation, reduction of CO2 footprint, readiness, security of supply and economic viability of steel infrastructure can potentially be achieved.

Subjects

Fatigue

Design

Metals

Nano

Lifetime

Sustainability

Carbon footprint

Structures

DDC Class

624: Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering

620.11: Engineering Materials

Lizenz

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Publication version

publishedVersion

Name

1-s2.0-S2452321625005578-main-1.pdf

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957.96 KB

Format

Adobe PDF

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Merging nano and macro structure design: opportunities for the structural integrity of steel infrastructure