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Large gas turbine nickel based superalloys blades are typically manufactured using an investment casting process. In spite of superior processing and quality control, large turbine blades may contain manufacturing induced discontinuities such as porosities, segregation, chemical inhomogeneities, particles, etc in few of the manufactured parts. These manufacturing discontinuities can significantly influence the reliable component life if they are under a load condition where they will form a crack. A typical engineering approach is to treat these discontinuities as a crack from the beginning of the part life. This leads to a conservative life prediction, as crack nucleation and influencing geometrical details of the discontinuities are neglected. This paper presents a framework and path forward for a comprehensive life assessment. It includes computer tomography (CT) analysis, metallographic analysis, local stress analysis, crack formation, as well as state of the art fracture mechanics analysis. For instance, CT and destructive tests reveal details of the geometry of a porous region and thereby enabling the calculation of crack formation life. A subsequent fracture mechanics analysis by engineering tool, FRANC3D can then yield a comprehensive life assessment for comparisons to experimental findings and fleet experience. This approach enables Siemens to diligently ensure that comprehensive life predication assessment has been performed for the components for robust and reliable operation.

The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), through its Committee E08 on Fatigue and Fracture subcommittee E08.05 on Creep-Fatigue Crack Formation, has recently developed a new standard for creep-fatigue testing (ASTM E2714-09). This paper describes the plans and preliminary results from a round-robin being presently conducted in support and verification of this new standard. The choice of the test material (ASTM Grade P91), the design of the round-robin test matrix, and a machining plan for the specimens are described. The results of microstructural analysis, tensile testing, and creep deformation and rupture testing are also presented along with some preliminary results from creep-fatigue testing. A new analytical model for representing the creep deformation characteristics of this material is also presented and evaluated using the creep data generated as part of the round-robin program. The results of the round-robin creep-fatigue testing will be used to make appropriate modifications to the test standard.

This paper discusses the methodology to calculate high cycle fatigue (HCF) crack propagation life of gas turbine bolts and compares two dimensional (2D) HCF crack propagation life to three dimensional (3D) HCF crack propagation life. Gas turbine bolts when exposed to fatigue loading are prone to crack initiation and propagation (structural failure) during operation. In such cases cracks mostly are initiated by low cycle fatigue (LCF) and propagated by HCF. Therefore in current illustration the authors have evaluated crack propagation primarily initiated by low cycle fatigue and propagated by high cycle fatigue. 2D and 3D fracture methodology approaches had been used for analytical evaluation. The authors conclude on the efficacy of both the methods based on the data from the field. The coupling joint bolts located in the engine mid-section, which are used to join compressor rotor with turbine rotor are being considered for crack evaluation studies. The coupling bolts located in mid-section are primarily loaded by high axial bolt pre-loads needed to keep the joint intact, as well as loaded in bending due to rotor gravity sag. The crack propagation life is evaluated and validated with field data using cracked bolt specimen from the field.

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