The Inadequacy of Safe-Life Prediction: Aero-Engine Fan and Compressor Disk Cracking
Abstract
The use of a safe-life methodology to ascribe a replacement interval to gas turbine engine components has been used extensively for over 40 years. However there are inherent limitations in the methodology, resulting in significant under-utilization of component lives, and an inability to account for rogue flaws and other non-representative factors. This paper will present three examples where the safe-life approach was inadequate in predicting the safe working life of critical engine components. These examples illustrate the complexity of the processes that have to be taken into account to produce realistic life estimates.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADP014139
Entities
People
- B. J. Wicks
- Jin Hou
- R. A. Antoniou
- S. L. Slater