Abstract
ADINA is used as the primary design tool in the structural analysis of Francis turbine runners at Kværner Energy. An in-house developed finite-element mesh generator is used for quick and efficient modelling of any runner or runner vane segment in THREEDSOLID elements. The finite-element analyses include frequency analyses in order to avoid structural amplification of dynamic loads and static-strength analyses in order to obtain a uniform stress distribution in the runner. Comparison of the convergence has been carried out with respect to mesh density and order of the elements. The high-order elements (20- and 27-nodes) compute both smaller displacements and lower natural frequencies in comparison to eight-node elements. For stress calculations, only high-order elements are used. Poor structural design is one explanation of failures in some runners. Knowledge of structural performance secures structural integrity and reveals the potential for reducing weight.
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