Radial/hoop stress refers to the stress that is exerted on the outer edge of a steel turbine disc due to the centrifugal force generated by the spinning motion of the disc.
Radial/hoop stress is important because it can cause the disc to deform or fail if it exceeds the strength of the material. This can lead to catastrophic failures and downtime in the turbine system.
Radial/hoop stress can be calculated using the formula σ = ρω², where σ is the stress, ρ is the density of the material, and ω is the angular velocity of the disc.
The factors that can affect radial/hoop stress in a steel turbine disc include the speed of rotation, the thickness and diameter of the disc, the material properties, and the temperature of the disc.
Radial/hoop stress can be managed by selecting the appropriate material with high strength and fatigue resistance, designing the disc with proper thickness and diameter, and ensuring proper maintenance and inspection of the disc to detect any potential failures before they occur.