• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.1-13
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• 1982

Transition process of plastic region. displacements, stresses and strains ahead the flaw tips were analysed by the finite element method on the steel plate with the circular hole and the one with the elliptical hole under completely alternating load (repetition of tensile loading, unloading and compressive loading). As the results, the followings were obtained. Transition process of elastic failure (yielding) region was estimated. From this the tendency was confirmed that the fracture would be initiated from ahead the flaw tip, and propagated along the $45^{\circ}$ direction. The fundamental data available in estimating the stress intensity factor that was considered as the core in analysing the fracture mechanism of steel plates were obtained. It was indicated that when unloading after tension the effect of compressive loading, and even the compressive reyield, was occured ahead the flaw tip. Similarly it was indicated that when unloading after compression the effect of tensile loading, and even the tensile reyield, was occured ahead the flaw tip. It was considered that these phenomena were occured because the unloading effect was constrained by the residual strains when unloading. It was considered that the fatigue phenomenon was occured ahead, the flaw tip by repetition of tensile yield, the above compressive reyield, compressive yeild and the above tensile reyield. In addition, the tendency was confirmed that the fracture ahead the flaw tip was occured as the flaw was changed from the circular hole to the elliptical hole and became to be the crack lastly.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.133-142
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• 1984

With the weld-joined compact tension specimens compared with each other, that is, transverse and lengthwise about the crack propagation direction, high and low in the input heat level, same as and lower than the base metal in the strength of weld material, the fatigue test were performed. With these data, the log-log curves between the fatigue crack propagation rate ${\frac{da}{dN}}$ and the transition range of the stress intensity factor ${\Delta}K$ ahead the crack tip were drawed. These curves were compared and estimated among each compared specimens, among each zones, that is, the base metal, the heat-affected metal and the weld-mixed metal, and between this study and the past studies. Basically, Little difference in the slope of the $da/dN-{\Delta}K$ relation was showed in all the welded directions, all the input heat levels and all the zones. But, First, to comparison with in the past studies about the base metals, it was showed that da/dN started in the much later rate, increased faster and stoped in the little faster rate. Second, it was showed that, near the time the crack's going from the heat-affected zone to the weld-mixed metal da/dN decreased a little for a while. Third, in the lengthwise weld compared with the transverse weld, in the high input heat weld compared with the low input heat weld in the case used the weld material of the same strength as the base metal, in the opposite case in the case used the one of the lower strength than the base metal, in the case used the weld material of the same strength as compared with the lower strength than the base metal beside the high input heat and the lengthwise weld, it was showed that the crack occured earlier in lower ${\Delta}K$ and later da/dN, the curves went with the same slope. Forth, in the lengthwise weld compared with the transverse weld in the low input heat weld, in the low input heat weld compared with the high input heat weld, it was showed that da/dN went with the lower level.

• Journal of Power System Engineering
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.57-63
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• 2008

The last stage blade of the low pressure steam turbine remarkably affects turbine plant performance and availability Turbine manufacturers are continuously developing the low pressure last stage blades using the latest technology in order to achieve higher reliability and improved efficiency. They tend to lengthen the last stage blade and apply shrouds at the blades to enhance turbine efficiency. The long blades increase the blade tip circumferential speed and water droplet erosion at shroud is anticipated. Parts of integral shrouds of the last stage 40 inch blades were cracked and liberated recently in a combined cycle power plant. In order to analyze the root cause of the last stage blades shroud cracks, we investigated operational history, heat balance diagram, damaged blades shape, fractured surface of damaged blades, microstructure examination and design data, etc. Root causes were analyzed as the improper material and design of the blade. Notches induced by erosion and blade shroud were failed eventually by high cycle fatigue. This paper describes the root cause analysis and countermeasures for the steam turbine last stage blade shroud cracks of the combined cycle power plant.