Stress and fracture analyses of nuclear power plant LP turbine rotor discs

Fracture phenomenon has been reported on blades, rotors, connections and rotor discs of LP turbines of nuclear power plants, which is caused by fatigue, stress corrosion and erosion. In this study, as a tool of reliability evaluation, a number of stress and fracture analyses were performed on the defected area under various operating conditions using the finite element method. Possible defects on key-way and rotor disc were assumed to be two-dimensional cracks and centrifugal force, temperature distribution and shrink-fit effect were included as external loads. From stress analysis results, stress intensity factors were obtained and these values can be utilized to evaluate reliability and predict remaining lifetime of the turbine discs.