A Continuum Damage Mechanics Model on Creep Rupture Life Assessment of a Steam Turbine Rotor

A nonlinear continuum damage mechanics model is proposed to assess the high temperature creep life of a steam turbine rotor, in which the effect of mean stress is taken into account and the damage is accumulated nonlinearly. The model is applied to a 300 MW steam turbine under hot start operation. The results are compared with those from the linear accumulation theory that is dominant in the creep life assessment of steam turbine rotors at present. The comparison results show that the nonlinear continuum damage mechanics model describes the accumulation and development of damage better than the linear accumulation theory.