Failure analysis of mechanical elements in steelworks equipment by methods of experimental mechanics

New technological equipment is mostly designed with the goal of increasing the productivity of manufacturing. This aim often results in an increased loading of structural support members. In the paper attention is given to the reasons for crack initiation in the supporting part of the converter torsion system that ensures transfer of the tilting moments from the converter vessel to the converter pedestal. The numerical and experimental analysis of the reasons for crack initiation in the pedestals of the converter torsion systems was carried out over the period of 2 years. In the paper forces and stresses in the structure are analysed both under normal and extraordinary operational conditions of the converter (big steel residues on the converter wall, demolition of the converter lining). Alongside the reasons for crack initiation the ways for solving the problem of further safe operation of the converter are suggested.