2025 NAFEMS IBERIA SEMINAR
Employing Engineering Simulation to Enhance Hydropower Structural Integrity Assessment
13 November 2025 | Madrid, Spain
At the 2025 NAFEMS Iberia Seminar in Madrid, Daniel Blanks, Principal Structural Integrity Engineer alongside Samuel Stephens, Structural Integrity Engineer at Quest Integrity presented “Employing Engineering Simulation to Enhance Hydropower Structural Integrity Assessment.” The presentation addressed the growing concern of crack formation in aging hydropower plant components, emphasizing the need for rigorous structural integrity assessments to maintain safety and reliability. Using a case study of hydropower spiral casing, they highlighted the limitations of traditional assessment methods that rely on geometric simplifications, which can lead to overly conservative predictions and unnecessary repairs.
To overcome these challenges, the presentation displayed advanced engineering simulation techniques, particularly computational fracture mechanics and finite element analysis. By incorporating the actual crack geometry into the assessment model, the speakers demonstrated how these methods enable more accurate calculations of crack driving forces, improved predictions of crack growth, and better evaluation of failure risk. This comprehensive approach empowers engineers to make informed decisions, effectively manage risks, and extend the operational life of critical hydropower infrastructure.
