Systematic Evaluation of Creep-Fatigue Life Prediction Methods for Various Alloys

2013 ◽  
Vol 135 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yukio Takahashi ◽  
Bilal Dogan ◽  
David Gandy

Failure under creep-fatigue interaction is receiving an increasing interest due to an increased number of start-up and shut-downs in fossil power generation plants as well as development of newer nuclear power plants employing low-pressure coolant. Such situations have prompted the studies on creep-fatigue interaction and the developments of various approaches for evaluating its significance in design as well as remaining life evaluation, but most of them are fragmental and rather limited in terms of materials and test conditions covered. Therefore, applicability of the proposed approaches to different materials or even different temperatures is uncertain in many cases. The present work was conducted in order to comparably evaluate the representative approaches used in the prediction of failure life under creep-fatigue conditions as well as their modifications, by systematically applying them to available test data on a wide range of materials which have been used or are planned to be used in various types of power generation plants. The following observations have been made from this exercise: (i) The time fraction model has a tendency to be nonconservative in general, especially at low temperature and small strain ranges. Because of the large scatter of the total damage, this shortcoming would be difficult to cover by the consideration of creep-fatigue interaction in a simple manner. (ii) The classical ductility exhaustion model showed a general tendency to be overly conservative in many situations, especially at small strain ranges. (iii) The modified ductility exhaustion model based on the redefinition of creep damage showed improved predictability with a slightly nonconservative tendency. (iv) Energy-based ductility exhaustion model developed in this study seems to show the best predictability among the four procedures in an overall sense although some dependency on strain range and materials was observed.

Author(s):  
Yukio Takahashi ◽  
Bilal Dogan ◽  
David Gandy

Failure under creep-fatigue interaction is receiving increasing interest due to an increased number of start-up and shut-down in fossil power generation plants as well as development of newer nuclear power plants employing low-pressure coolant. These situations have promoted the development of various approaches for evaluating its significance. However, most of them are fragment and rather limited in terms of materials and test conditions they covered. Therefore applicability of the proposed approaches to different materials or even different temperatures is uncertain in many cases. The present work was conducted in order to evaluate and compare the representative approaches used in the prediction of failure life under creep-fatigue conditions as well as their modifications, by systematically applying them to available test data on a wide range of materials which have been used or are planned to be used in various types of power generation plants. The following observations have been made from this exercise. (i) Time fraction model has a tendency to be unconservative in general, especially at low temperature and small strain range. Because of the large scatter of the total damage, this shortcoming would be difficult to cover by the consideration of creep-fatigue interaction in a fixed manner. (ii) Classical ductility exhaustion model showed a common tendency to be overly conservative in many situations, especially at small strain ranges. (iii) The modified ductility exhaustion model based on the re-definition of creep damage showed improved predictability with a slightly unconservative tendency. (iv) Energy-based ductility exhaustion model developed in this study seems to show the best predictability among the four procedures in an overall sense although some dependency on strain range and materials was observed.


Author(s):  
Yukio Takahashi ◽  
David Gandy

Grade 92 steel is a class of the Creep Strength-Enhanced Ferritic (CSEF) steels developed for use in boilers and piping systems of ultra-supercritical steam fossil power plants. Although creep strength is a primary concern, consideration of the interaction of creep and fatigue damage is also important in evaluating the integrity of components as they will experience a range of cyclic loading. Although some studies have already been made on creep-fatigue behavior of this steel, test data under the conditions of creep damage dominance more relevant to plant evaluation, need to be supplemented. Girth welds often constitute critical locations dominating the integrity of piping systems and their creep-fatigue behavior is also of significant importance. Such a situation prompted the authors to initiate a study aiming at development of an extensive database on creep-fatigue behavior of base metal and welded joints of Grade 92 steel and establishment of an appropriate life estimation procedure. For the period of one and half year, a number of creep-fatigue data have been obtained on the base metal and cross-weld specimens at a wide range of loading conditions. Superiority of the energy-based approach to the conventional time fraction or ductility exhaustion approach for predicting creep-fatigue life was confirmed by their application to these creep-fatigue tests.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farshid Zabihian

The first part of this thesis deals with greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from fossil fuel-fired power stations. The GHG emission estimation from fossil fuel power generation industry signifies that emissions from this industry can be significantly reduced by fuel switching and adaption of advanced power generation technologies. In the second part of the thesis, steady-state models of some of the advanced fossil fuel power generation technologies are presented. The impacts of various parameters on the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) overpotentials and outputs are investigated. The detail analyses of operation of the hybrid SOFC-gas turbine (GT) cycle when fuelled with methane and syngas demonstrate that the efficiencies of the cycles with and without anode exhaust recirculation are close, but the specific power of the former is much higher. The parametric analysis of the performance of the hybrid SOFC-GT cycle indicates that increasing the system operating pressure and SOFC operating temperature and fuel utilization factor improves cycle efficiency, but the effects of the increasing SOFC current density and turbine inlet temperature are not favourable. The analysis of the operation of the system when fuelled with a wide range of fuel types demonstrates that the hybrid SOFC-GT cycle efficiency can be between 59% and 75%, depending on the inlet fuel type. Then, the system performance is investigated when methane as a reference fuel is replaced with various species that can be found in the fuel, i.e., H₂, CO₂, CO, and N₂. The results point out that influence of various species can be significant and different for each case. The experimental and numerical analyses of a biodiesel fuelled micro gas turbine indicate that fuel switching from petrodiesel to biodiesel can influence operational parameters of the system. The modeling results of gas turbine-based power plants signify that relatively simple models can predict plant performance with acceptable accuracy. The unique feature of these models is that they are developed based on similar assumptions and run at similar conditions; therefore, their results can be compared. This work demonstrates that, although utilization of fossil fuels for power generation is inevitable, at least in the short- and mid-term future, it is possible and practical to carry out such utilization more efficiently and in an environmentally friendlier manner.


Author(s):  
William D. Rezak

One of America’s best kept secrets is the success of its nuclear electric power industry. This paper presents data which support the construction and operating successes enjoyed by energy companies that operate nuclear power plants in the US. The result—the US nuclear industry is alive and well. Perhaps it’s time to start anew the building of nuclear power plants. Let’s take the wraps off the major successes achieved in the nuclear power industry. Over 20% of the electricity generated in the United States comes from nuclear power plants. An adequate, reliable supply of reasonably priced electric energy is not a consequence of an expanding economy and gross national product; it is an absolute necessity before such expansion can occur. It is hard to imagine any aspect of our business or personal lives not, in some way, dependent upon electricity. All over the world (in 34 countries) nuclear power is a low-cost, secure, safe, dependable, and environmentally friendly form of electric power generation. Nuclear plants in these countries are built in six to eight years using technology developed in the US, with good performance and safety records. This treatise addresses the success experienced by the US nuclear industry over the last 40 years, and makes the case that this reliable, cost-competitive source of electric power can help support the economic engine of the country and help prevent experiences like the recent crisis in California. Traditionally, the evaluation of electric power generation facility performance has focused on the ability of plants to produce at design capacity for high percentages of the time. Successful operation of nuclear facilities is determined by examining capacity or load factors. Load factor is the percentage of design generating capacity that a power plant actually produces over the course of a year’s operation. This paper makes the case that these operating performance indicators warrant renewed consideration of the nuclear option. Usage of electricity in the US now approaches total generating capacity. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has pre-approved construction and operating licenses for several nuclear plant designs. State public service commissions are beginning to understand that dramatic reform is required. The economy is recovering and inflation is minimal. It’s time, once more, to turn to the safe, reliable, environmentally friendly nuclear power alternative.


Author(s):  
David J. Calhoun ◽  
Mark A. Gake

Operating nuclear power plants typically have backup electrical power supplied by diesel generators. Although backup power systems are designed with redundant trains, each capable of supplying the power requirements for safe shutdown equipment, there is a common-mode seismic failure risk inherent in these customary backup power arrangements. In an earthquake, multiple equipment trains with similar, if not identical, components located side-by-side are exposed to inertial forces that are essentially identical. In addition, because of their similar subcomponent configurations, seismic fragilities are approximately equal. In that case, the probability of multiple backup power system failures during an earthquake is likely to be dependent on, and nearly the same as, the individual seismic failure probability of each equipment train. Post-earthquake inspections at conventional multiple unit power stations over the last 40 years identified this common-mode seismic failure risk long before the tsunami-related common-mode failures of diesel generators at Fukushima Daiichi in March 2011. Experience data from post-earthquake inspections also indicate that failure probabilities of diverse sets of power generation equipment are independent and inherently less susceptible to common-mode failures. This paper demonstrates that employing diverse backup power designs will deliver quantifiable improvements in electrical system availability following an earthquake. These improvements are illustrated from available literature of post-earthquake inspection reports, along with other firsthand observations. A case study of the seismic performance of similarly configured electrical power generation systems is compared to the performance of diverse sets of electrical power systems. Seismic probabilistic risk analyses for several system configurations are presented to show the benefit of improved post-earthquake availability that results from designing new backup power systems with greater diversity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 4360
Author(s):  
Junpil Park ◽  
Jaesun Lee ◽  
Zong Le ◽  
Younho Cho

The safety diagnostic inspection of large plate structures, such as nuclear power plant containment liner plates and aircraft wings, is an important issue directly related to the safety of life. This research intends to present a more quantitative defect imaging in the structural health monitoring (SHM) technique by using a wide range of diagnostic techniques using guided ultrasound. A noncontact detection system was applied to compensate for such difficulties because direct access inspection is not possible for high-temperature and massive areas such as nuclear power plants and aircraft. Noncontact systems use unstable pulse laser and air-coupled transducers. Automatic detection systems were built to increase inspection speed and precision and the signal was measured. In addition, a new Difference Hilbert Back Projection (DHB) algorithm that can replace the reconstruction algorithm for the probabilistic inspection of damage (RAPID) algorithm used for imaging defects has been successfully applied to quantitative imaging of plate structure defects. Using an automatic detection system, the precision and detection efficiency of data collection has been greatly improved, and the same results can be obtained by reducing errors in experimental conditions that can occur in repeated experiments. Defects were made in two specimens, and comparative analysis was performed to see if each algorithm can quantitatively represent defects in multiple defects. The new DHB algorithm presented the possibility of observing and predicting the growth direction of defects through the continuous monitoring system.


Author(s):  
Chiaki Kino

The flow-induced vibration of a pipe is an important issue in various engineering fields, and this phenomenon is widely observed in nuclear power plants. Although turbulent structures play important roles in the velocity and pressure fields in a pipe, only a few studies have been conducted on the turbulent flow on an oscillating wall. In this study, direct numerical simulations were conducted to establish a large eddy simulation model for a turbulent flow on an oscillating wall and scrutinize the energy transfer between the grid scale (GS) and sub-grid scale (SGS). Although energy is generally transferred from the GS to SGS (forward scatter), it is likely that energy is transferred from the SGS to GS (backward scatter) under specific conditions. The present numerical results indicated that backward scatter exists in the production term in the case of a static wavy wall. On the other hand, such backward scatter could not be observed in the case of an oscillating wall. It is well known that separated flows and backward flows are generated behind the crest. Stronger backward flows accelerate the main flow and enhance the velocity gradients in a wide range behind the crest. In the case of an oscillating wall, the development of separated flow is immature because the shape of the wall is not fixed. Eventually, the backward scatter is deemed to be suppressed.


Author(s):  
Keiji Kubushiro ◽  
Hiroki Yoshizawa ◽  
Takuya Itou ◽  
Hirokatsu Nakagawa

Creep-fatigue properties of candidate materials of 700°C-USC boiler are investigated. The candidate materials are Alloy 230, Alloy 263, Alloy 617 and HR6W. Creep-fatigue tests were conducted at 700°C and the effect of both strain range and hold time were studied. Experimental results showed that at 1.0% strain range, cycles to failure with 60 min strain holding is about 10% of that without strain holding, but at 0.7% strain range, cycles to failure with 60 min strain holding decreases down to about 1% of without strain holding. It appears that cycles to failure is decreased by increasing strain holding time at all tested strain ranges, and the effect of holding time is emphasized at small strain range. These phenomena depend on the kind of alloys.


Author(s):  
Robert Gurdal ◽  
Steven X. Xu

Various strain measure formulas exist at this time for the calculation of the strain amplitude required for fatigue calculations, and various methodologies have been suggested in the years 2005 through 2008 to take into account — in general — the environmental effects on fatigue (EAF = Environmentally-Assisted Fatigue). The purpose of this technical paper is to compare these strain measure formulas and these EAF methodologies for the case of the thermal fatigue tests of a stainless steel stepped pipe for which results have been published in the Proceedings of the 2004 PVP Conference [1]. Thermal transient finite element analyses and cyclic elasto-plastic finite element analyses were performed to obtain the thermal gradients through the pipe thickness and the resulting strain ranges. These strain ranges are based on the various strain measure definitions presented at the 2001/2005 PVP Conferences (see Ref. [2] and [3]). These various strain measure definitions were compared. Using one of the stepped pipe inside surface locations and using one of the strain range values (out of the various strain measure definitions), the allowable number of design cycles has been calculated, based on the currently mandated methodologies for the environmental effects on fatigue (EAF). These methodologies are the EAF methodologies to be applied in the United States for future fatigue calculations, either for license renewal of the currently operating nuclear power plants or for the design of new plants. The fatigue results are compared and discussed for their implication in component design.


1985 ◽  
Vol 107 (3) ◽  
pp. 260-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Masuyama ◽  
K. Setoguchi ◽  
H. Haneda ◽  
F. Nanjo

The increase of long-term service exposure to thermal power plants, the tendency toward intermediate and cyclic operation to meet the change in electric power demand and supply situation, and the requirement to develop higher-temperature and higher-pressure plants have led to increasing attention towards the reliability improvement. This paper presents findings from field experiences of cracking or failure and two types of damage analyses—(1) creep-fatigue damage analysis based on the life fraction rule and (2) metallurgical damage analysis—of boiler pressure parts that have been exposed to long-term elevated temperature service. The field experiences are (1) cracking or failure of thick-walled Type 316 stainless steel pressure parts in the main steam line of an ultra-supercritical thermal power plant and (2) dissimilar metal weld joints for boiler tubing. The creep-fatigue damage analysis of these pressure parts showed a reasonable correspondence with the field experience. According to the creep-fatigue damage analysis and the metallurgical damage analysis, most of damage was restrained creep mode phenomenon without deformation. The creep damage was composed of metallurgical damage and mechanical damage such as microvoids and structural defects. One method of simulating field experienced creep damage was proposed and performed. As a result, the process of creep voids being generated and growing into cracks without deformation was successfully observed. Also a review of the current status of nondestructive detecting methods of creep damage suggests that detecting the creep voids metallurgically is more practical at the present time than doing so analyzing the changes in physical properties of the material. It is also suggested that, in the metallurgical approach, detecting the creep voids and cracks by replica method and anlayzing precipitates for evaluation of material deterioration by precipitate extraction method will make it possible to successfully address the problem of plant equipment creep damage evaluation and life prediction.


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