Case Study: Lapino Powerplant Penstock Failure

The paper presents the results of investigations carried out in connection with a penstock rupture at a small hydropower plant in Poland. The investigations comprised material tests of the ruptured penstock shell, analysis of the stress in the shell of the ruptured penstock section, analysis of hydr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of hydraulic engineering (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 127; no. 7; pp. 547 - 555
Main Author Adamkowski, Adam
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Reston, VA American Society of Civil Engineers 01.07.2001
Subjects
Applied sciences
Buildings. Public works
Dams and subsidiary installations
Exact sciences and technology
Hydraulic constructions
Poland
Stresses. Safety
Structural analysis. Stresses
TECHNICAL PAPERS
Hydroelectric power plant
Strengthening
Stress analysis
Fracture mechanics
Shell structure
Mechanism analysis
Visual observation
Cracking
Penstock
Transients
Case study
Welded joint
Numerical simulation
Repair
Non destructive test
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Summary:The paper presents the results of investigations carried out in connection with a penstock rupture at a small hydropower plant in Poland. The investigations comprised material tests of the ruptured penstock shell, analysis of the stress in the shell of the ruptured penstock section, analysis of hydraulic transients under conditions of failure, and testing of the penstock and gensets after repair. In the case under consideration, excessive water hammer caused by rapid flow cut-off was recognized as the direct cause of the penstock burst. Low strength of the penstock shell because of low quality weld joints and lack of strengthening in places of large stress concentration also contributed to the penstock failure. Results of the case investigation highlight some problems that should be taken into account during the process of design, modernization, and operation of hydropower plants in order to ensure their safe operation.
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ISSN:0733-9429
1943-7900
DOI:10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9429(2001)127:7(547)