Methodology of determination the influence of corrosion pit on decrease of hydro turbine shaft fatigue life

Abstract

This paper describes the influence of corrosion on stress concentration factor and crack initiation at shaft flange transition section. The case study of hydraulic turbine shaft failure is used as the basis for this research. The quantification of the stress concentrators was accomplished by the usage of Theory of critical distances (TCD) in the prediction of high-cycle fatigue behavior in machine parts and systems. The stresses obtained by Finite Element Analysis, was used as an entry values for application of Theory of critical distances. The TCD represents a major extension of linear elastic fracture mechanics, allowing it to be used for short cracks as well as for stress concentrations of arbitrary geometry. Presented methodology is particular valid for machine parts of non-standard dimensions. The significance of results presented in this paper is that TCD and developed methodology can be used in preventing failures in power industry.