Effect of Heat Straightening on Material Properties of Steel

Abstract

The use of heat straightening to repair damaged steel structures has gained popularity in recent years. However, applications have been limited due to concerns related to degradation of material properties after repair. Most research has been limited to small undamaged plate specimens where only one to three heats were applied. The purpose of this paper is to report on a study in which structural members were damaged and completely repaired by heat straightening, after which material properties were investigated. The research data indicate that heat straightening does affect mechanical properties of steel. Yield stress may increase by as much as 20%, especially in the vicinity of the apex of vee heats. Tensile strength also increases but at only half the rate of yield stress. The ductility as measured by percent elongation may decrease by one-third, and the modulus of elasticity may decrease by over 25% in some heated regions. A portion of this study included the evaluation of the effect of degree of damage on material properties after heat straightening. Damage with maximum strains up to 100 times the yield strain were repaired, and material properties were compared to members damaged with much smaller strains. The degree of damage had a minimal effect on the material properties of heat-straightened steel. Some members were damaged and completely heat straightened more than once to evaluate the effect of repetitive damage on the material properties of heat-straightened steel. Changes in material properties are small after two cycles of damage and repair. However, additional cycles produced a more brittle material and, in some cases, resulted in fracture of the material. In summary, heat straightening is a viable alternative for the repair of damaged structural steel. However, the user should be aware that some material properties will be changed during the process.