Effect of Different Aerodynamic Profile on Stresses and Power Developed for Steam Turbine Blade

Blades are significant components of steam turbines which are failed due to stresses arising from centrifugal and bending forces. The turbine blade has a number of geometrical variables that need to be considered at the design stage. Hence, this paper investigated a three dimensional model of steam turbine blade with different aerodynamic profile using finite element method. A three-dimensional model of blade was developed using computer-aided design software. All materials were assumed linear, homogenous, elastic and isotropic. A 150 N widespread force was applied to the blade. The results of this study showed that thinner blades are experienced higher maximum Von Mises Stress and Maximum Principal Stress than thicker ones. The blade with the parameter of profile 2 experienced the lowest maximum Von Mises Stress at 4.998 MPa. Furthermore, blade with the parameter of profile 3 experienced the lowest Maximum Principal Stress at 4.419 MPa.