Weight Function Approach for Semi Elliptical Crack at Blade Mounting Locations in Steam Turbine Rotor System

This paper presents analysis of stress intensity factors at blade mounting locations of steam turbine rotor system. General expressions for the stresses induced in a rotating disc are derived and these equations are applied to steam turbine rotor disc. It is observed that the radial stress increases instantly at blade mounting location which indicates the probability of crack initiation and growth. A semi elliptical crack is considered at that location and weight function approach is used to determine the stress intensity factors. The results are validated with the influence coefficient approach. The differences of present approach with influence coefficient approach are less than 3 %. Hence the present approach is suitable for determination of stress intensity factors in a semi elliptical crack at blade mounting locations of a steam turbine rotor disc