Failure analysis of a second-stage rotor blade in TRT

A second-stage rotor blade of a TRT failed during operation. In order to identify the causes of the failure to avoid similar accidents, the blade was firstly investigated by macro-fractural analysis, metallographic structural analysis, chemical composition analysis and metal inclusion detection; then a series of coupled CFD and FEA simulations under typical operating conditions were carried out followed by crack propagation life analysis where the causes of component failure being closely investigated. The results show that the blade failure is caused by a typical fatigue fracture with multiple crack sources, and the crack propagation is caused by the extrusion collision between the blade and its matching dovetail groove of the rotating shaft.

Automated summary

In order to prevent similar accidents, an investigation analysis was conducted on the failure of a second-stage rotor blade of a TRT, including macro-fractural analysis, metallographic structural analysis, chemical composition analysis, and metal inclusion detection. Then, a series of CFD and FEA simulations were carried out under typical operating conditions, followed by crack propagation life analysis, where the causes of component failure were closely examined. The results indicate that the blade failure is due to a typical fatigue fracture with multiple crack sources, and the crack propagation is caused by the extrusion collision between the blade and its matching dovetail groove of the rotating shaft.