Life Prediction for Turbopropulsion Systems Under Dwell Fatigue Conditions

The objective of this investigation was to develop an innovative methodology for life and reliability prediction of hot-section components in advanced turbopropulsion systems. A set of three generic time-dependent crack growth models was implemented and integrated into the Darwin^® probabilistic life-prediction code. Using the enhanced risk analysis tool and material constants calibrated to IN 718 data, the effect of time-dependent crack growth on the risk of fracture in a turboengine component was demonstrated for a generic rotor design and a realistic mission profile. The results of this investigation confirmed that time-dependent crack growth and cycle-dependent crack growth in IN 718 can be treated by a simple summation of the crack increments over a mission. For the temperatures considered, time-dependent crack growth in IN 718 can be considered as a K-controlled environmentally-induced degradation process. Software implementation of the generic time-dependent crack growth models in Darwin provides a pathway for potential evaluation of the effects of multiple damage modes on the risk of component fracture at high service temperatures.