FIELD MEASUREMENT OF DYNAMIC INSTABILITY OF A 50-TON TAINTER-GATE

摘要

The 2-degrees-of-freedom coupled-mode self-excited vibration of Tainter gate has been demonstrated in hydraulic model studies of 2D and 3D gate models. The concurrent development of a theoretical model has permitted the prediction that some full-scale Tainter-gates could be potentially susceptible to this coupled-mode self-excited vibration. However, there are many people who regard with suspicion the prediction that a massive Tainter-gate might actually undergo this type of vibrations. In response to these skeptics, this paper presents the test results from an actual operational 50-ton Tainter-gate to determine its propensity for large-amplitude self-excited vibration. Further, the previously developed theoretical analysis was applied to the tested gate to uncover an essential dynamic instability for this installation, as well as to provide a framework for the design of a retrofit and an optimized maintenance plan.