Issue 51

D. Vasconcelos et alii, Frattura ed Integrità Strutturale, 51 (2020) 24-44; DOI: 10.3221/IGF-ESIS.51.03 37 Structural Improvement The first modification consisted on changing the way the UC and the BC are connected. On the original platform, the bottom of the UC is welded to the top of the BC, as shown in the cut view on the left of Fig. 13. In order to strengthen both members, the UC was extended until the bottom of the BC, being then welded there. This is shown in the cut view on the right of Fig. 13. Questioned As further strengthening was needed at the BC, structural reinforcements were used. Four types of reinforcements were considered:  Sheetmetals of 5800 mm x 5890 mm with patterned holes, as shown in Fig. 14, which are assembled in a circular array around the UC, as shown in Fig. 15. The final design used 8 reinforcements of 60 mm in thickness; 2960 mm 1720 mm Figure 13 : UC and BC joint cut view. Original on the left; Improved on the right. Figure 14 : Reinforcement used at BC. Figure 15 : Reinforcements assembled. Figure 16 Central reinforcements at the BC. a) Dimensions; b) Location.