• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.373-378
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• 2012

The objective of this research is to examine the probabilistic approach to evaluating turbine ejection frequency considering common-cause failure. This paper identifies basic turbine ejection mechanisms under high and low speeds and presents a detailed probabilistic methodology (fault tree) for assessing ejection frequency. The alpha factor methodology is applied to common-cause failure evaluations. The frequencies under different test schemes are compared and the propagation of uncertainty through the fault tree model is evaluated. The following conclusions were reached: (1) the turbine blade ejection frequency due to ductile failure under high speed is around 8.005E-7/yr; (2) if common-cause failure is considered, the frequency will be increased by 11% and 33% depending on the test scheme; and (3) if the parameter uncertainties are considered, the frequency is estimated to be in the range of 9.35E-7 to 1.13E 6, with 90% confidence.