Online Health Monitoring System Using Dynamic Structural Responses

Abstract

This paper discusses the methodology for detection of impending failures in gas turbine components. Gas turbine components when exposed to fatigue loading are prone to crack initiation and propagation (structural failure) during operation. Cracks when left undetected over the long duration of continuous engine operation may lead to failure of gas turbine components and unplanned shutdown. This paper presents the crack detection methodology proposed to be only used in older engines maintained by the service fleet. This is done by capturing the changes in physical characteristics of cracked gas turbine structures during engine operation. Monitoring the change in vibration characteristics is being proposed as an input in developing the health monitoring system. In verifying the proposed technique, static component such as flexible pipe is analytically evaluated and validated with field measurements.