Synopsis: Ozark-Webbers Falls Turbine Repairs

by Arthur D. Denys, US Army Corps of Engineers, Dallas, TX, USA,
Thomas W. Plunkett, US Army Corps of Engineers, Dallas, TX, USA,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Waterpower '85

Abstract:

The Ozark and Webbers Falls powerhouses were designed and constructed under the supervision of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and are located on the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System. Beginning in 1975, failures were experienced in various parts of the rotating assembly. Studies indicated that fastener fatigue and shaft cracking resulted from cyclic bending caused by rotation of the 250 ton shaft and runner in a deflected position. A redesign was initiated. The new design and repair procedure were completed in April 1982 and formal repairs begun by Allis-Chalmers. This paper describes the failures which occurred, the tests and studies conducted, and the repairs implemented. Some features of the repair procedure are unique in hydro-turbine design. Information gained from the studies will impact on future design of similar slant axis and horizontal hydro-turbine units.

Subject Headings: Turbines | Failure analysis | Hydraulic design | Power plants | Hydro power | Shafts | Rotation | Arkansas

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