SwRI: DARWIN: Probabilistic Fracture Mechanics

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) developed a probabilistic-based damage tolerance computer program called DARWIN® (Design Assessment of Reliability With INspection). DARWIN was developed under the direction of the FAA and in collaboration with four major gas turbine manufacturers. This software integrates finite element stress analysis results, fracture mechanics-based life assessment for low-cycle fatigue material anomaly data, probability of anomaly detection, and inspection schedules to predict the probability of fracture as a function of applied operating cycles.

 

Gas turbine industry experience has shown that the occurrence of material and manufacturing anomalies can potentially degrade the structural integrity of high-energy rotors. Conventional rotor life management methodology does not explicitly address the occurrence of these types of anomalies.

 

For more information, visit the DARWIN home page.

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Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®) is an independent, nonprofit, applied engineering and physical sciences research and development organization with 12 technical divisions using multidisciplinary approaches to problem solving. The Institute occupies more than 1,200 acres and provides nearly two million square feet of laboratories, test facilities, workshops, and offices for more than 3,300 employees who perform contract work for industry and government clients.