Steam Turbine Stress Analysis

Gentelmen,
I really appreciate your kind help for solving my following problems:
The case is steam turbine stress analysis which its related data can be found via the links bellow:

http://65.57.255.42/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=download&Number=1503&filename=Layout.TIF

http://65.57.255.42/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=download&Number=1504&filename=Load Data.PDF
X is along the turbine shaft and Z is the vertical axis.

1- As you see the turbine has three parts; LP, IP & HP.
I think each part shall be analyzed separately based on the vendor supplied data. But I'm not sure if this is allowed as per NEMA SM23. Please let me know if I'm right in analyzing each part separately.

2- At the moment, I'm dealing with the LP part including the exhaust flange (which connects to a steam duct via unrestraint expansion joint). It is a 6200 X 5350 mm connection. Is I rughly calculate the pressure force acting on this flange (assuming vacuum pressure on the nozzle) I get a huge applied force which is far above the allowable load (-1600kN).
I don't know how to control this force OR if it should be taken in to account as there are non-zero laterall forces allowed to be aplied.

Your help is so much appreciated.
Best
Mic

Hi All,
Any ideas please?

Still waiting friends....
MoverZ , Edward, you've always had worthy ideas...

1. separate casing = separate check

2. check the issue with the vendor, it is your best friend.Vacuum pressure is not necessary full vacuum. They are aware of this problem and will tell you what to do.

Regards,

Thank you danb for your advice,