Strength analysis of penstock bifurcations in hydropower plants

The strength analysis of penstock bifurcation in hydropower plants is discussed in the present paper. The analysis consists of determining the maximal internal pressure, (e.g. during turbine load rejection), stress analysis of the pipeline shell for assumed loading and assumed or determined material properties. The investigation results can be helpful when determining the proper rate of the flow cut-off and recommending the strengthening precautions to be applied in places of maximum stress concentration in order to prevent future penstock ruptures.