Numerical Optimization of the Dendritic Arm of a Radial Gate Based on Stability and Light Weight

A new dendritic arm structure was proposed to achieve the stability and lightness of a large-scale radial gate arm. The arm structure was arranged in accordance with the current gate design specifications for steel. The optimization aims were to achieve the highest possible overall structural stability and the lowest possible weight. As the failure criterion for the entire structure, the simultaneous instability of the trunks and branches of the dendritic arm was considered. The constraints of strength, stiffness, and stability were identified, and an optimization model of a dendritic arm with two branches was established. A geometric and material nonlinear buckling analysis and optimization solution was implemented for the dendritic arm with a different radius, type, and unit rigidity ratios. Compared to a conventional radial gate structure with two arms, the Y-type dendritic arm structure was lighter and more stable. The optimal dendritic arm had the following parameter settings: the angle ratio between two branches and two arms was [1.92, 2.04], the unit rigidity ratio between the trunk and branch was [5.33, 6.02], the length ratio between the branch and trunk was [0.96, 1.09], the height ratio of the trunk and branch was 1.805, and the flange thickness ratio of the trunk and branch was 1.405. In this case, the overall buckling load ratio between the dendritic arm and two arms was [2.50, 4.34], and the material saving rate was [37, 53] (%). Within the aforementioned parameters, the Y-type dendritic arm performed better overall. Moreover, the radius of the radial gate had minimal influence on the shape and mechanical properties of the Y-type dendritic arm structure. This paper proposes a dendritic arm that can be utilized in most radial gate projects.