Fatigue Failure of Flanged Thermowell

摘要

A fractured flanged thermowell was received for analysis. The fracture was located at the root of "U" insertion/immersion length which was welded to the flange. The failure of flanged thermowell was attributed to the vortex-induced fatigue. The failure was initiated by the weld failure to withstand the fluctuating load resulted from vortex after years of service. This weld failure then created stress raisers, as evidenced by the ratchet marks and river marks near the outer surface.