Reliability Prediction of Fixed Vanes based on Physics of Failures Approach

Physics of Failure models are mathematically derived, deterministic models based on knowledge of failure mechanisms and the root causes of failures. Failure rates are predicted based on stresses, material properties, individual use and environmental conditions. Fixed Vanes are primarily used in fluid machines (turbines, pumps, and windmills etc.) and in aircraft (control surfaces) apart from a variety of other uses. Reliability for vanes is considered to be static, i.e. the reliability function is invariant of time. Failures are defined to be those set of data points wherein the stress random variable experienced by the component exceeds the strength random variable of the material of the component. Static models are used in events where failures occur due to (nearly) instantaneous loads and are not a consequence of any previous effects/ history. This research text utilizes the Physics of Failures approach to quantitatively predict the Reliability of Fixed Vanes for a range of applications and environments. Only the primary/ dominant failure mode is targeted in this text.